The goal of SIIP is to support local (Waterloo Region) community organizations to expand or create sustainable intergenerational partnership programs which address social isolation in older adults living with dementia and their care partners. SIIP’s objective is to work collaboratively with organizations and people living with dementia to reduce social isolation and promote inclusion. This community resource hub is not intended to replicate the work of other organizations, however, its intention is to be a resource hub to support people living with dementia and their care partners specifically through intergenerational partnerships and reduction of social isolation. For more information on dementia and other general resources, the Alzheimer Society national library is a great repository. The following sections below were identified as key areas of interest through the Isolation to Inclusion Challenge event which was held in February, 2022.
Community Hub Resources
Community hub. The SIIP website intends to function as a resource depository location that can be utilized by community-dwelling older adults living with dementia, care partners, community members, and the general public. The goal of this community hub is to help promote inclusion of people living with dementia by encouraging involvement in the community and providing an accessible location to share and promote resources.
Resource List
Dementia-Inclusive Communities (DREAM) Factsheet
This
factsheet describes what makes a community and services inclusive for people living with dementia.
Empowering Dementia-Friendly Communities Hamilton & Haldimand project
This
report was created based on what is lacking
(identified through community consultation of people living with dementia and their care partners) and how the Hamilton/Haldimand region will endeavour to change/promote dementia-friendly communities. The relevant section on Fostering Social Participation and Inclusion is from pages 12 to 16.Dementia Friendly Communities in Waterloo Wellington
This
webpage explains what a dementia-friendly community should look like and contains a list of dementia-friendly communities/businesses in the Waterloo-Wellington region. There is also a
brochure which explains what dementia is and what dementia-friendly communities are, as well as what the blue umbrella designation means for business and people living with dementia.
Impact of Social Isolation Resources
Support the creation of an advocacy campaign on awareness and the impact of social isolation on people living with dementia and their care partners. Various communication modalities will be used to broaden awareness of the impact of social isolation on people living with dementia and care partners. Currently existing resources and toolkits are available below. Newly developed resources will be co-designed with an advisory group and people living with dementia, in order to effectively meet their needs.
Resource List
By Us for Us
This is a
guide on isolation and enhancing social connections for people living with dementia and their care partners, created in collaboration with PLWD, care partners, RIA and MAREP. This guide includes information such as risk factors, changing abilities, changing employment and relationships. It also provides coping tips and strategies for each section, as well as guidance on staying connected.
Campaign to End Loneliness Guide: Promising Approaches Revisited
This UK-based
guide contains actionable framework solutions on how to end loneliness and social isolation in older adults. Brief mentions of dementia and incorporates small mentions of intergenerational partnerships. Comprehensive document showcasing research that has been turned into actionable outcomes.
Education and Training Resources
Promotion and development of courses for education and training. We will help contribute to creating dementia-friendly communities through easily accessible training opportunities that can be utilized by the general public as well as care partners. Educational resources and training courses/certificates that are currently available are listed below.
Education
LIVING the Dementia Journey for Young Adults (aged 14-25)
This is an
education course offered by the RIA. It is an evidence-informed three-hour course adapted from LIVING the Dementia Journey (LDJ) training program which has been designed for those who support people living with dementia. The goal of the LDJ course for Young Adults is to build understanding and communication between young adults and people living with dementia, with practical tools that can be applied in different aspects of life.
Building Dementia Friendly Communities
This is an
online course developed and available from the Alzheimer Societies of Canada. It is an online course module and takes approximately 75 minutes to complete. The intended audience: employees of organizations in retail (stores and restaurants), library and recreation, and public transit sectors of the community. It is, however, open to anyone who is interested in learning about building dementia-friendly communities.
Dementia Friends Canada
This informative
website provides information on dementia and contains links to Alzheimer Societies Canada-wide. With the website, there is an option to join as a ‘dementia friend’: an individual can join to learn about what it’s like to live with dementia and turn understanding into action, ultimately helping people with dementia live well. There is also an opportunity to join as a business to show support for those touched with dementia and commit to spreading the word.
Toolkits
Creating Caring Communities
This
toolkit was created by the BC Care Providers Association on how to establish and support intergenerational programs for schools, care facilities and communities. It describes the importance of intergenerational partnerships and how to use the toolkit to create programming in local communities.
WHO Toolkit for dementia-friendly initiatives
This
toolkit was developed by the World Health Organization to support and empower PLWD and care partners to be able to remain in and be included in their communities. The toolkit has been designed to be used by communities to raise dementia awareness and improve quality of life.
Connecting Generations
This
toolkit was designed to help communities and organizations to engage children, youth, and seniors in hosting intergenerational projects within their communities. The goal of the toolkit is to promote intergenerational learning and understanding in order to build stronger and healthier communities within New Brunswick.
Connecting seniors: From isolation to activation
This
toolkit was designed to act as a resource to support older adults who may be socially isolated. Outcomes from using this toolkit include increasing community awareness about social isolation in older adults, sharing best practices, increasing awareness of available community supports.
Creating Dementia-Friendly Communities in Alberta
This
guide/toolkit (PDF guide will automatically download) was developed based on lessons learned and steps that were taken to create a dementia-friendly community as a pilot project in Alberta.
Intergenerational, Dementia, or Social Isolation Resources
Below are resources that provide information on dementia, the benefit of intergenerational partnerships, and general knowledge on social isolation and/or older adults.
Intergenerational Resources
Intergenerational Jamboree
This
guide was created to implement intergenerational music therapy for older adults living in care homes and primarily designed for older adults and children aged 0-4 years old.
CanAge: Social Isolation
A policy book created by CanAge was designed to target issues affecting older adults and provide recommendations to solve the issue. This
section provides information on the benefits of intergenerational partnerships as well as recommendations on how to implement and encourage different types of programs.
Intergenerational Friends Fair
This is a facilitator’s
guide (downloads PDF automatically) on how to create a community strategy to engage children, young adults, and older adults in intergenerational activities.
Creating Intergenerational Dementia Programs: A Guide for Community Organizations.
This
guide was created for the development and implementation of programs for socially isolated older adults, including those living with dementia and care partners. There is a focus on intergenerational programs.
Dementia Resources
CDLRN: Canadian Dementia Learning and Resource Network
This
knowledge hub led by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging contains an online library of dementia-related resources.
Canadian Charter of Rights for People with Dementia
This
infographic created by the Alzheimer Society of Canada provides information on the rights for people living with dementia.
CanAge: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment
A policy book created by CanAge was designed to target issues affecting older adults and provide recommendations to solve the issue. This
section provides information on how to implement supports in healthcare, community and in families for people living with dementia.
Social Isolation Resources
You are not alone: A guide to improve social connectedness
This is a
guide prepared by the City of Waterloo in collaboration with Age-Friendly Waterloo Multi-Agency Committee. The guide provides information on how to reduce social isolation in older adults. It includes a checklist for older adults to use to assess their individual risk of social isolation. It also provides sources and ideas on connecting with others, specifically directed towards those residing in the Waterloo region.
CanAge: Loneliness and Social Exclusion
A policy book created by CanAge was designed to target issues affecting older adults and provide recommendations to solve the issue. This
section briefly explains the prevalence and consequence of loneliness and social isolation in older adults. Recommendations are provided on how to mitigate based on UK models of addressing exclusion, neglect, and social disconnection in older adults.
Connecting the Dots to Promote Social Inclusion of Seniors
This
informational graphic identifies the risk factors for social isolation for older adults and provides some tips on getting connected (Edmonton, AB based).
Dementia and Tips to Prevent Social Isolation
This
website provides some tips for planning activities for people living with dementia to help reduce/prevent social isolation.
