July 14, 2011

A number of northern and provincial organizations are partnering in a new project aimed at improving the quality of life and health of the fastest-growing segment of Northern BC’s population.
Demonstration projects in three northern communities will provide seniors with non-medical support services, or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), so that researchers can measure how they affect the lives of those 65 and older. While having access to non-medical supports such as social outreach visits and transportation to shopping and appointments is recognized as helping seniors stay independent for as long as possible, research-based evidence is limited. The project will also aim to show what kinds of IADLs are most needed by and work best for seniors in northern and rural areas.

Partners in the project include BC Home and Community Care Research Network, the UNBC School of Social Work, Northern Health’s Primary Health Care Integrated Health Network and Home & Community Care, United Way of Northern British Columbia, Providence Health Care (Vancouver), and the School of Population and Public Health at UBC.

Demonstration Projects Underway

The first demonstration project is already underway in Prince George. More than 100 seniors are receiving transportation, social outreach and housecleaning through the PG Council of Seniors, which received one-time funding to provide the services.  Additional partnerships with community organizations in Prince Rupert and Fort St. John will be initiated by autumn 2011.

Evaluation, Capacity Building and Sustainability

An important goal of the project is to measure how, over time, IADL services affect seniors and their families, the community organizations and volunteers who provide the services, and health and social agencies who refer clients. Through a combination of interviews, questionnaires and group discussions, researchers will examine seniors’ health status and quality of life, utilization of health services, volunteer workload, and service delivery costs – and seek involvement from seniors and their family caregivers along with community partners.

It is hoped the results will assist decision makers plan for and put into place effective, efficient and sustainable IADL services to help seniors remain in their homes as long as possible and have a healthier and better quality of life as they age.

Contact:
Dawn Hemingway, Associate Professor, UNBC School of Social Work - 250.612.7997
Tim Rowe, Executive Lead Elder Population, Northern Health - 250.565.7337
Marcia Leiva, Lead Primary Health Care Community Programs Integration, Northern Health - 250.565.2124
Lesley Anderson, Manager, Resource Development, United Way of Northern BC - 250.561.1040 ext 102
Jean Kozak, PhD, Providence Health Care Department of Family and Community Medicine; the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences; and UBC School of Population and Public Health - 604. 806.8123