News for Staff and Volunteers of Seniors Organizations

9 Apps to Help You Overcome Stress & Anxiety

In a sector where burnout is common, technology can make self-care easier. TechSoup Canada has compiled a list of apps designed to help people check in and keep their stress to manageable levels.

Interventions to address social connectedness and loneliness for older adults: a scoping review

Authors: Hannah M. O’Rourke, Laura Collins and Souraya Sidani

BMC Geriatrics, September 2018

Older adults are at risk for loneliness, and interventions to promote social connectedness are needed to directly address this problem. The nature of interventions aimed to affect the distinct, subjective concepts of loneliness/social connectedness has not been clearly described. The purpose of this review was to map the literature on interventions and strategies to affect loneliness/social connectedness for older adults.

RISE Sunday

Throughout the fall months daylight becomes scarce, and the days grow even shorter once daylight savings ends. For a senior living alone, who has health challenges or is acting as caregiver, less light can increase the risk of becoming withdrawn and isolated.

On November 4, the day we turn the clocks back, Reach Isolated Seniors Everywhere (RISE) encourages Canadians to connect with seniors to brighten their day.

Garden Suites Workshop Series

YEGarden Suites is a local non-profit that helps Edmontonians learn about Garden Suites (smaller rental homes in backyards). Garden Suites are often built for older adults who wish to downsize, but want remain in their existing neighbourhoods.

In November, YEGarden Suites is running a 3-part Garden Suite Workshop Series where people can learn about the rules and regulations, the permitting process, how to finance a suite, and how to design efficiently for smaller spaces. Workshop attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from the City of Edmonton, current Garden Suite owners, as well experienced builders and designers who they may want to work with.

Part 1: Rules, Regulations, & Garden Suite Owners Panel

November 20, 6:30 p.m.

$10

Part 2: Small Space Design, Energy Efficiency, & Builder/Designer Showcase

November 21, 6 p.m.

$12

Part 3: Finance, Valuation, ROI, and Budgeting for Garden Suites

November 29, 6:30 p.m.

$20

Full details can be found on www.YEGardenSuites.ca or through Eventbrite.

Lighting the Way: The State of the Alberta Nonprofit Sector 2018

CCVO

Lighting the Way: The State of the Alberta Nonprofit Sector 2018 is the only source of Alberta-specific research on the experience of the sector. In addition to providing data on the state of the sector, this year’s report looks to the year ahead and shares priorities of nonprofits for the upcoming provincial election and some suggestions for collective action.

Age Friendly Edmonton Healthy Aging Information Series

Request free presentations for your group by knowledgeable professionals on a range of healthy aging topics such as medication management, health conditions, driving and beyond, caregiver stress management, nutrition, financial literacy, housing transitions, and leisure. Review the catalogue of presentations offered and request a presentation using the webform.

Employment Standards

The Government of Alberta offers a variety of ways for organizations to learn about Employment Standards such as rules for hours of work and pay and general holidays. Attend free live webinars, access recordings of previous webinars, and review resources such as a toolkit for employers and brochures.

Bus Network Redesign Public Engagement

Don’t miss your last chance to check out the proposed new bus routes coming in 2020. The City presented a new draft bus network this spring and asked for feedback. The transit planning team reviewed thousands of comments and made adjustments to many of the proposed routes to better meet people’s needs. Some of the changes include:

Adjusting routes so most people are within a 5-7 minute walk to a bus stop
Adding community bus routes

This fall, Edmonton Transit Service will be gathering input from the public to advise on the final draft bus network that will be going to City Council in the new year. You can:

Attend one of 13 workshops the City is hosting around the city from October 25 to December 7. Visit edmonton.ca/busnetworkworkshops to find a workshop in your area.
Fill out an online survey from October 25 to December 9 to share your perspectives on the final draft network. Learn more at edmonton.ca/newbusroutes.

Falls Prevention Month: Finding Balance Campaign

November is Seniors’ Falls Prevention Month across Canada. The latest evidence on interventions to prevent falls is placing an emphasis on maintaining and improving strength and balance as the best intervention. The messages being focused on in the 2018 Finding Balance campaign highlight this evidence, and people who work with seniors are encouraged to share Finding Balance materials.

The Injury Prevention Centre has developed a brochure featuring the new message, a new information sheet on Strength and Balance, Everyday Exercises poster and exercise cards. You can find and other resources on the Finding Balance website.

Seniors Housing Terminology

Alberta Seniors Communities & Housing Association (ASCHA) has released a What We Heard Report outlining the results of their Common Terminology Study which was completed by more than 1,000 Albertans. The study shows that seniors housing terminology is complicated, difficult to understand and overwhelming.

This study is the beginning of a framework for Albertans to speak out about their seniors housing journey and for government and industry to take notice and commit to clarifying, reducing and simplifying seniors housing terms.

ASCHA has launched the Cut The Clutter Campaign to shine a light on simplifying seniors housing terminology. You are encouraged to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #CutTheClutter and share your experiences with navigating seniors housing terminology. ASCHA is committed to bring your voice forward to recommend better language, categories and easier navigation.

Thrive Edmonton

This community initiative aims to highlight the importance of investing in public services and infrastructure as city council begins looking at the budget this October. Edmontonians are encouraged to share their stories about how city infrastructure or a city-funded program or service has made a difference in their lives. You can share your story online at ThriveYEG.

2018 Vital Signs Report

Senior Women are one of the featured groups in this year’s Vital Signs Report produced by the Edmonton Community Foundation and Edmonton Social Planning Council. The report shares Edmonton data for senior women related to income, health and wellness, engagement, living arrangements, and demographics.

Aging Well in Community Grant

The Government of Alberta Aging Well in Community Grant will help local organizations improve the lives of seniors by funding community-based initiatives that remove barriers and help seniors stay in their homes and engaged in their communities. Organizations are invited to submit project-based proposals for the development of programs, services, and pilot and research projects – including new, one-time or expanded initiatives – geared toward the safety and independence of Alberta seniors. Four streams of funding are available, and projects must align with a minimum of one of the following streams:

Aging in communities
Addressing ageism
Social inclusion and engagement of diverse populations
Elder abuse prevention

The maximum funding is $100,000 per project. Applications are due November 16