Various professionals, citizens and organizations have joined forces with the Vieillir en santé project to support seniors in adopting new habits to maintain their autonomy. The integrated health and social services centres of Chaudière-Appalaches and the Capitale-Nationale are among the partners in this initiative.
Dr. Anik Giguère, professor of medicine at Université Laval and researcher at the Centre d’excellence sur le âge de Québec, leads the interdisciplinary team designing, evaluating and implementing knowledge transfer tools. The main goal remains the rapid identification of seniors at risk, with a view to popularizing awareness.
“We need to intervene early to detect possible loss of autonomy. Several pieces of relevant information already existed, but were scattered everywhere. We grouped our research into a single platform. It is an active monitoring approach, with advantages and disadvantages, without adopting a paternalistic tone,” explained Dr. Giguère.
WEB AND IN-PERSON
A web version of this health education program is accessible to all (vieillirensante.ulaval.ca). It includes strategies on seven aspects of maintaining autonomy: memory and attention, social life, vigor and mobility, nutrition, mood, self-care and sleep.
Each aspect contains scientifically proven facts, clarification exercises, exploration of options and support for an informed choice. It is possible to view and print the summaries of the courses, as well as take notes directly in the application.
This portal also contains a self-assessment questionnaire and video training. Three trainings are aimed directly at seniors. Two videos are aimed at stakeholders, families or seniors playing a support role with their peers.
For seniors who are less comfortable with the Internet, approaches were made to multiple independent living residences (RPA). “We conducted a survey of these residences. About ten RPAs in Chaudière-Appalaches invited us to present the project on site. This allowed for some great interactions,” confirms Dr. Anik Giguère.
IN EVOLUTION
Since Healthy Aging is part of an action-research plan, the initiative will include regular updates. Participants and citizens will also have the opportunity to communicate by telephone or email with those responsible.
To find out about local social programs and services, Dr. Anik Giguère also invites people to call 211 or visit qc.211.ca. “This service is too little known and offers a lot of essential information,” she concludes.
