For Seniors, By Seniors: Community Conversations
Resource developed by Parachute.
The purpose of this activity is generate discussion among seniors about the issues that matter most to them when it comes to aging in place healthily and safely.
Contact: Michelle Dueckman (mdueckman@parachute.ca)
Type of Activity: Event recording and discussion questions
Target Audience: Older adults
Languages available: English and French
Costs: N/A
This activity is suitable to be used in a virtual setting.
Description:
During fall 2022 and winter 2023, a series of Community Conversations, co-created with seniors, are being held on various topics related to aging in place. Each session focuses on a different topic related to aging in place chosen by seniors themselves.This project is funded by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program. Learn more here: https://parachute.ca/en/program/for-seniors-by-seniors-community-conversations/
The session recordings can be rewatched invidually or with a group and are accompanied by a set of discussion questions. These discussion questions are meant to invite conversation and provide an opportunity to share experiences, identify common concerns and needs, and learn from each other. Each session also has an accompanying information package that seniors may find helpful.
For the live events, event organizers (which includes seniors and representatives from organizations serving seniors) use the discussion points generated in each session to inform groups/organizations serving seniors as well as various levels of government.
Timeline:
To watch the event recording (60 minutes) and engage in discussion using the provided questions (30 minutes), we estimate this activity taking 90 minutes altogether. You can shorten or extend that time by taking more or less time on the dicussion.
Steps and materials:
Community Converstions: Home (Sept. 21, 2022)
This first session focuses on maintaining and building independence at home, wherever that is for you.
- Watch the recording.
- Pause the recording at 37:24 and use the below questions for discussion.
- Resume the recording and listen to what other seniors had to say on the topic.
- Distribute the below information package to participants. This information package includes:
- Grant and funding information for home modifications, organized by province.
- Online information and resources related to home modifications.
- Information about tenants’ rights related to home modifications in Canada.
Discussion Questions:
- What modifications are needed for your home for you to stay there?
- Have you made some steps to modify your home for later years? If so, what are they?
- Have you reached out to community services for support? If so, which ones did you reach out to and why?
- Are you confident that you will have the necessary social connections and supports to remain engaged socially and in the community? How so?
- What is your greatest wish in the years to come to age healthily and safely?
Community Converstions: Getting and Staying Physically Active (Oct. 19, 2022)
This second session focuses on maintaining and enhancing well-being and independence through physical daily activities.
- Watch the recording.
- Pause the recording at 27:56 and use the below questions for discussion.
- Resume the recording and listen to what other seniors had to say on the topic.
- Distribute the below information package to participants. This information package includes:
- Information on physical activity to maintain and enhance independence and well-being – what that is, why we should do it and how to go about it.
- Additional resources that include more information on staying active, as well as programs, services, education, and activity videos for seniors.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to get or stay physically active as you get older?
- What are the barriers/challenges you face in getting and staying as physically active as possible during your day?
- What encourages you to be physically active during your day?
- What do you need to achieve optimal health in terms of flexibility, strength, and balance?
Community Converstions: Supports and Services to Age in Place (Nov. 23, 2022)
This third session focuses on maintaining independence through community supports and services.
- Watch the recording.
- Pause the recording at 36:54 and use the below questions for discussion.
- Resume the recording and listen to what other seniors had to say on the topic.
- Distribute the below information package to participants. This information package includes:
- A brief overview on what it means to age in place and how to plan ahead.
- Several resources, including national resources for seniors, seniors and caregivers’ information telephone lines by province and a list of existing programs and services through the federal, provincial, and territorial Canadian government.
Discussion Questions:
-
What are you doing now to support your ability to live independently?
- What are the specific concerns you have now about continuing to live independently?
- What do you anticipate could become concerns for you in the future? (e.g., living or being alone, transportation, shoveling the driveway and getting out in the winter, home maintenance)
- Do you know what’s available and how to access it?