Isolation of Older Adults Project

A three-year project to address isolation of older adults began.  The purpose of this project is to help community agencies find ways to reduce isolation of older adults and strengthen their independence.  This project was funded by Health Canada.  A Steering Committee, comprised of Council members and representatives from a number of agencies, began to focus on the issues of isolation and several exciting activities took place:

In 1994 a Seniors' Forum was held at the Pensioner and Pioneer Pavilion with 111 seniors and representatives of community agencies and organizations attending.  They met to share information about the most common barriers to the social involvement of older adults and to suggest better ways to contact isolated seniors.  Through information gathered from the forum and research from the Council's Steering Committee and Sub-committees, several pilot projects and activities to address social isolation began.

In May 1995, the first pilot project called TEMT (Travel, Eat, Meet and Talk) began.  This six-month pilot project started at the Lutheran Sunset Home.  This "wheels-to-meals" project offers gentle exercise, lunch, education sessions, entertainment and socializing to frail older adults with an average age of 80 and still living in their own homes.  As of April 1997, Luther Care Communities became the administrator of the project with funding from Saskatoon District Health.  To register for this program call  664-0345.

In August 1995, the second pilot project, called Live Smart, began.  This sixteen-week project started at Mayfair United Church and is similar to TEMT.  The average age of participants in this project is 80 years.  As of April 1997, Luther Care Communities became the administrator of the project with funding from Saskatoon District Health.  To register for this program call 664-0345.

In November 1995, the third pilot project, called the Seniors' Shuttle Service, began.  In cooperation with the Corps of Commissionaires, this transportation project began operating in the northwest area of the city and later expanded city wide due to the great demand.  This service provided over 5,000 rides in four and a half months. 

Return to Services menu

 

Due to financial reasons, the pilot concluded on March 31, 1996, at which time an evaluation was done.  Information from the pilot is being used today through a Special Needs Transportation Committee formed by the Council on Aging in 1999.  The goals of this committee are:

i)    To educate others on how inadequate transportation options contribute to the isolation of older adults and undermine their independence and access to services and activities.
ii)    Attempt to influence the provincial government to increase funding for special needs transportation.
iii)    Work with the City of Saskatoon through representation on the City of Saskatoon Special Needs Transportation Advisory Committee.

In November 1996, a fourth pilot project called Young at Heart began.  This project, which is housed at McNaughton Place, is similar to Live Smart and TEMT but serves older adults living in low-income apartments and high rises.  As of September 2004, Luther Care Communities became the administrator of the project with funding from Saskatoon District Health.  To register for this program call 664-0345.

1997:    "Input 97" Forum In January 1997, a forum was held at which 96 informal caregivers and representatives of agencies and organizations involved in caregiving attended to address the needs of informal caregivers.  A steering Committee comprised of Council members, professional, volunteers, and caregivers was formed to focus on the needs of informal caregivers using information from this forum and prior research from the Council's Range Planning Committee.