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Community and social services
Many people want to receive the supports they need at home, rather than in a hospital or other institutional settings. Independence is quite often a top priority for aging adults and evidence shows many benefits to these services. Community and social services help older adults to live as independently as possible in the community. Find out more in our resources below.
Hospital in the home: After emergency room treatment, follow-up care at home can be an effective and preferred option
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Transitions in Later Life – Part 3: Social Entrepreneurship – turning experience into impact
Retirement can be the beginning of new projects and new role, and for some this might include “social entrepreneurship”—engaging in small ventures that address real community needs while promoting social participation, providing an outlet for creativity, and generating income. -
Overnight care: A reassuring presence
Finding qualified and trusted staff to care for your loved ones during the day is one thing. But with staff shortages plaguing all employment sectors, finding qualified and trusted staff working night shifts is a big challenge. -
Social prescribing: Bridging the gap between clinical and social care
Being prescribed a forest bath, a yoga class, or a cooking class? Social prescribing recognizes that people's health and well-being are primarily determined by a range of social, economic and environmental factors. -
4 Evidence-based benefits of seeking peer support
Can turning to our peers hold benefits for our health? You’ll be happy to know that research lends support to the use of this strategy. -
Case management to help end homelessness
Supporting people who are homeless or who are precariously housed remains a complex issue, even more so in the context of a pandemic. Various support strategies could be put in place, including the use of case managers. -
End-of-life doulas: Providing care and comfort to the dying and their loved ones
We have been witnessing the emergence of a new profession related to end-of-life care: the end-of-life doulas (sometimes referred as "death doulas"). End-of-life doulas offer continuous support and comfort to people at the end of life and their families. -
Successful aging: what it means for older adults
"Successful aging" has become an important concept to describe the quality of aging. Despite a growing literature on this topic, there is no standard definition of successful aging. What does it mean for older adults? -
12 steps towards recovery: Can engaging in support programs help with alcohol use disorder?
Are you or someone you care for looking for a program to support recovery from alcohol misuse and dependence? See what the research says about widely used recovery support services. -
Violence against women and COVID-19: A pandemic within a pandemic
Violence against women is a tragic and complex phenomenon, especially since this "shadow pandemic" is unfolding against the background of a health pandemic. We must act proactively and not remain silent in the face of such violence. -
Catching your breath with home or community-based pulmonary rehabilitation
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the name alone can leave you breathless. See what the research has to say about the benefits of home or community-based rehabilitation. -
Caregivers: Unsung heroes of the pandemic
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put pressures on all of us, but among all those affected since the start of the pandemic, one group has met incredible challenges: caregivers. Read more for a few helpful tips for supporting caregivers through these challenging times. -
Complaints as a learning and improvement tool
Each year, many patients, families and caregivers who interact with the health and social systems experience dissatisfaction and adverse events. Complaint mechanisms can be seen as a tool for learning and improvement. But what do we know about the nature of complaints and their effects? -
Assistive technologies: It’s not for me, I’m not there yet!
In Canada 1.1 million older adults use assistive technology to compensate for physical or cognitive limitations. However, despite the potential benefits of these technologies, some older adults remain reluctant to use them. What can explain this reluctance? -
Knowing your numbers to help keep your blood pressure in check
When it comes to high blood pressure, “knowing your numbers” is key. A couple of promising blood pressure screening and monitoring options may help you stay on top of your numbers and help you and your health care provider create the best possible treatment plan. -
Do not go through the ordeal alone: Grief in times of pandemics
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly disrupted individual and societal experiences of end of life care, grief and bereavement due to public-health measures to counter the spread of the virus. Alternative or virtual ways must be found to honor the memory of our loved ones and provide comfort to their close friends and families. -
Do not take a back seat: Be engaged in decisions that affect your health and wellbeing
We often take for granted that we will have a say in decisions affecting us. However, a large proportion of older adults and caregivers are not formally engaged in discussions about their own health and well-being. Decision aids and decision coaches are among some of the tools and support that can help you. -
Community resilience: Responding to and recovering from disasters together
It is not only individuals who are struck by disasters like a pandemic, it is entire communities that are shaken. Implementing a community resilience plan can help a community come together and overcome any disaster, while rebuilding socially, physically and economically. -
Kicking smoking to the curb: 3 evidence-based ways to aid you on your journey to becoming smoke-free
From cancer to heart disease, the hazards of smoking have long-been documented. Emerging evidence appears to suggest that there could also be a dangerous association between smoking and COVID-19. Consider becoming smoke-free for your overall health and well-being. These evidence-based strategies could help increase your chances of success! -
Time to quit: What’s the “call” on telephone support for smoking cessation?
Can telephone counselling help you quit smoking? There is some promise for ongoing counselling that sees a counsellor or other health care provider connect with you for additional support. -
Grandparents raising grandchildren: Social support needed
A large number of grandparents are the primary caregiver of their grandchildren. While raising your grandchildren may be one of the most rewarding experiences, some grandparents may require additional social support to effectively play their role. -
Isolation and remoteness: Supporting family caregivers in hard-to-reach communities
Family caregivers in hard-to-reach communities are at greater risk of unequal access to health and social services. How can we support them? -
There can’t be too many cooks: Kitchen collectives to feed your needs
Most Canadians eat out once a week or more, because it is more convenient, they don't have time, don't like to, or don't know how to cook. Some initiatives, such as collective kitchens, have been launched here and abroad to meet the nutritional, economical and social needs of people in the community. -
Managed alcohol programs: Helping chronic alcoholics with regular doses of alcohol
The harmful use of alcohol resulted in approximately three million deaths worldwide in 2016. Managed alcohol programs are a promising harm-reduction approach for people living with severe alcohol dependence who often experience homelessness or housing instability. -
Going home: Plan your transition before being discharged
Going home from the hospital can be both an exciting and stressful time for patients and their caregivers. Make sure that you play an active role in planning your transition back home. -
Barriers to respite: Why do caregivers of people with dementia not use respite services?
Many of people with dementia live in residential and long-term care facilities, but others are living at home with support from their caregivers. Despite the burden and distress of these caregivers, many do not use existing respite services. -
Day centers: Safe and stimulating environments for older adults living with a loss of autonomy
Many older adults and caregivers are benefiting from day centres, which offer programs of activities in professional care settings. Learn about the purposes of day centres, who benefits from them and how are they perceived. -
Empowering caregivers
Despite their critical roles, caregivers often feel unprepared to provide care and often receive little guidance from healthcare providers. What do they need to feel empowered? -
Planning for the future: The concerns among older parents of adult children with intellectual disabilities
Parents of children with intellectual disabilities must sometime provide ongoing care for their children, even during adulthood. These parents face significant challenges, including planning for their children's future care arrangements while anticipating their own aging and death. -
Unbefriended: The tragic fate of many older adults
Many older adults are unable to make decisions on their own, and do not have a family member or friend who can be their guardian, representative, or substitute decision-maker. These individuals are sometimes called ‘elder orphans’ or ‘unbefriended elders’. The limited body of research evidence paints a grim picture of these older adults, particularly in terms of their poor quality of life. -
Taking action together to address homelessness
Older adults are at increasing risk of homelessness due to lack of support, precarious health, economic and housing situations, and a lack of age-appropriate programs and services. We can collectively take action and leverage the assets of our health and social systems to address homelessness. -
Cultivating health and well-being
Gardening is more than a hobby. It is an amazing activity that can have positive effects on health and well-being. Before taking out your shovels and rakes, plan your gardening activities carefully: think about your health and safety, adapt your activities, and socialize. -
Aging behind bars
Aging behind bars poses challenges. Since the vast majority of inmates end up being released into the community, it is important to look into how prison conditions affect older inmates and the support provided to them in order to ensure the success of their rehabilitation and social reintegration. -
Tackling a silent beast: Strategies for reducing loneliness and social isolation
Older adults are especially at risk of experiencing social isolation and loneliness. The characteristics of strategies tackling these issues are important factors in determining whether or not they work. -
Be prepared: Tips for facing disasters
Climate change and rapid urbanization can increase the intensity and frequency of disasters. Many factors influence people’s ability to cope with disasters, such as age, health status, income, social support, and the communication channels used to inform them. -
Companion animals: can they alleviate loneliness among older adults?
Companion animals and animal-assisted therapies can improve the physical and mental health of older adults, and animal-assisted therapies appear promising to alleviate loneliness among older adults. -
A socially acceptable gentrification: is it possible?
Gentrification can exacerbate health problems among vulnerable groups, such as older adults, by limiting their access to needed services, affecting their social networks, and increasing their level of stress. Is it possible to control the negative impacts of gentrification and make it socially acceptable? -
Are we equal in the face of aging? Challenges faced by LGBTQ2 older adults
Although attitudes are changing and there is a growing recognition of the need to adapt the care provided to them, LGBTQ2 older adults (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans, queers and two-spirited) still face negative experiences, including problems related to access to health and social services. -
Living with diabetes? Your peers can help!
Do you struggle with managing your diabetes? If so, research shows that turning to your peers can improve your health. -
Delivering home-care services: empathy and respect needed
The aging population is expected to generate growing demands for high-quality home-care services. There is a need for flexible policies, procedures and guidelines on the delivery of home-care services to allow older adults to have a say about their needs and how to meet them -
Treated and discharged: How to avoid repeat hospital visits
Research evidence shows there are things we can do to avoid repeat hospital visits. -
No one left out: Breaking down cultural barriers to support healthy aging
Not everyone has the same opportunity to access health promotion programs that can save lives and prevent serious illness. Culturally customized materials and approaches can help. -
5 tips to stay healthy at home
Research-based recommendations to stay in your home and community safely, independently and comfortably for as long as possible. -
Does caregiver stress affect the move to long term care?
Providing care for family members with challenging chronic diseases like dementia can be highly stressful and take a toll on caregivers’ physical and psychological health. When caregivers become “burnt out” are their loved ones more likely to be placed in long term care facilities? -
Do self-management programs for diabetes really work?
Managing diabetes can be challenging for anyone, but for older adults with multiple health and age-related conditions, it can be especially difficult. Dr. Diana Sherifali weighs in on how self-management programs can be adapted to best support older adults with diabetes. -
Telemedicine for foot care: Using technology to get back on your feet
One study suggests that patients receiving follow-up care for diabetic foot or leg ulcers via telemedicine (online or by phone) may spend less time travelling without any negative effect on their health and lower costs to the healthcare system. Dr. Perry Mayer – an expert in diabetic foot care – offers his perspective on the issue. -
Can you relate? Options to improve support for unpaid caregivers
Providing unpaid care offers both rewards and challenges. A panel of caregivers share their thoughts and suggestions about how to better support caregivers. -
Hospital in the home: After emergency room treatment, follow-up care at home can be an effective and preferred option
After a medical emergency, many people prefer to recuperate at home. New research compares the benefits of home care vs hospital care. Citizen contributor Lillian shares her personal perspective. -
Exercise for people with heart disease: Can health education help change behaviours?
People who have been diagnosed with heart disease may be nervous about the effect exercising has on their hearts. However, exercise is actually important for recovery and ongoing health. Health education programs can help motivate people to adopt heart healthy habits. -
Diabetic foot care: Awareness and prevention are vital
People with diabetes are at significantly higher risk for foot disease including ulcers that can lead to serious health problems. A leading expert in diabetic foot care provides important facts and strategies for prevention and protection. -
Stay connected! Family caregivers of people with dementia may benefit from online and telephone support
Caring for a loved one with dementia is challenging and can take a physical and emotional toll. Internet and combined internet and telephone-based programs may provide a cost-effective, easy-to-access option for caregivers seeking information and support. -
Enjoy your retirement - but keep moving!
Retirement often means a more relaxed and leisurely lifestyle. But that doesn’t mean giving up on exercise: regular physical activity is the key to health and vitality. -
Ding-dong, it's the doctor calling! Home-based primary care may be a solution for homebound older adults
Receiving care and treatment in their own homes helps older, frail and homebound adults get the medical attention they need and can improve their health and quality of life. -
Options for long-term care mean more choice for older adults
Home and community based care, assisted living and nursing home care all have related risks and benefits. Decisions about long term care settings should consider the needs and unique circumstances of older adults and the people caring for them. -
Caring for the caregivers: Who is meeting the care needs of older adults?
Families of older adults continue to provide the vast majority of care for their members when necessary. Changes in modern society necessitate support for them from the formal healthcare system.
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