Social Engagement
Dr. Alex Segall presented in February of 2017 at the Connecting the Dots: Authentic Social Engagement of Older Adults session. Dr. Segall stated at the event that "social isolation and loneliness are challenging issues that an increasing number of older adults have to deal with in later life. In a 2014 report on Social Isolation of Seniors - the National Seniors Council - stated that ‘the number one emerging issue facing seniors in Canada is keeping older people socially connected and active'.
The following links are some resources, including web sites, documents and community agencies that are working hard on the issues related to social engagement.
Connecting the Dots: Authentic Social Engagement of Older Adults resources:
- Setting the Stage: Do Key Concepts have Shared Meanings? Dr. Alexander Segall
- Connecting the Dots: Authentic Social Engagement of Older Adults. Executive Summary
- Connecting the Dots: Authentic Social Engagement of Older Adults. Power Point presentation
Social Engagement Website Links:
Social isolation of seniors – Volume 1: Understanding the issue and finding solutions
This volume is the first of two documents produced by the Forum of Federal/ Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors to help organizations and individuals approach the social isolation of seniors. It updates and builds upon to Working Together for Seniors: A Toolkit to Promote Seniors' Social Integration in Community Services, Programs, and Policies (2007), also produced by the Forum.
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/partners/seniors-forum/social-isolation-toolkit-vol1.html
Social Isolation of Seniors – Volume II: Ideas exchange event toolkit
This toolkit is meant to help people and organizations host effective meetings to exchange ideas and respond to the social isolation of seniors in their communities. It contains tools, templates and support resources for hosting an ideas exchange event.
Ideas exchange events:
- help people and groups to share knowledge about the social isolation of seniors
- build and strengthen relationships in communities
- create opportunities for working together to address the social isolation of seniors in the community
Campaign to End Loneliness – Connections in Older Age
The Campaign to End Loneliness inspires thousands of organizations and people to do more to tackle loneliness in older age. They are a network of national, regional organizations and people working together through community action, good practice, research and policy. We want to ensure that loneliness is acted upon as a public health priority at national and local levels.
https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/
Campaign to End Loneliness – Connections in Older Age
The Campaign to End Loneliness has worked with over 50 organizations, researchers and older people in our Learning Network to develop information and advice on choosing and using a scale to measure the impact of your services on loneliness.
Measuring your impact to end loneliness in later life
Reach Isolated Seniors Everywhere (RISE)
The goal of the RISE Campaign is to help Canadians become aware of the possible impact of loneliness and social isolation on their older family members, friends and neighbours - and to take action.
https://rise-cisa.ca/
Reach Isolated Seniors Everywhere (RISE) - Spectrum
Spectrum – Social isolation and loneliness are major social, health and quality of life issues for older people. Over time, their mental and physical health deteriorate, sometimes to the point where they become "invisible". But it doesn't have to be that way… The goal of the Spectrum is to help you identify the risks… and the possible actions to take. Information sheet.
Centre of Aging
Social Participation and Its Benefits
The Centre on Aging examined the benefits of social participation on the health and well-being of older adults, as well as the role senior centres play in promoting the health and well-being of older adults who use them.
https://umanitoba.ca/centres/aging/media/CoA_UM_Senior_Centre_report_revised__August9_web.pdf
HelpAge Canada
Canada's only organization dedicated exclusively to helping older persons in Canada and the developing world. We have 40 years of experience working for older persons and helping them overcome poverty, claim their rights, challenge discrimination and helping them lead dignified, secure, and healthy lives. HelpAge Canada is a founding member of HelpAge International and is part of a global network of organizations operating in more than 80 countries that help thousands every day.
https://helpagecanada.ca/
