Initiatives To Reduce Social Isolation Among Older Adults
Amintro
- Amintro is encouraging the community around them to do their part and check in on the older adults in their neighbourhood with a printable card that can be left in the mailbox. The card provides contact info and a list of options for help that is available to them (grocery pick up, a friendly phone call, posting urgent mail, etc.) all with no in- person contact. Amintro has also launched Amintro Connects – a free FB group where adults 50+ and those that care about them can connect to share thoughts, questions, experiences, ideas, and more. For more information about these initiatives and Amintro visit their website.
The Community Training and Development Centre
- Networked Communities Challenge is an app for seniors in the Cobourg and Port Hope areas. The app presents a daily challenge linked to information from 120 local organizations, businesses and resources, for example find the local YMCA’s exercise schedule. The purpose of each challenge is to motivate, support and encourage seniors to take steps toward becoming more engaged in their communities. The app is available for iPhone and Android users. To get the app, go to the Play Store or App Store, download the Chaleni app and search for the Networked Communities Challenge.
Communities in the Ontario Age-Friendly Communities Network have been exploring ways to better engage socially isolated older adults for some time now. However, in recent weeks, reducing social isolation among older adults has become imperative. Communities are working hard to adjust their activities to make sure older adults do not lose their connections with family, friends, support and services during this time.
To read the complete list of initiatives being used to engage socially isolated older adults, click the following link: Ontario AFC Network Exchange April 2020