We are always happy to learn better ways of caring for our community, and keeping up with research keeps Unison fresh with new projects. If we think of the things that keep us healthy, like diet and exercise, one element that is usually left out of the lexicon is social wellbeing.
Seniors facing isolation know that loneliness can lead to depression and steal away motivation, making it hard to want to engage in the activities that keep us in good health. This is why we have been working on a new program called Unison Connect.
We are very excited about Unison Connect, which is being launched from the Unison at Veiner Centre. The program has received three years of funding from the Alberta Government, from
the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services. Unison Connect is a partnership between
Unison, the city of Medicine Hat, and the Palliser Primary Care Network. Unison Connect works by deploying Link Workers to support older adults in their homes and community, connecting them with resources that will help them thrive. This is also known as social prescribing
The Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing defines social prescribing as a model that enables health care providers and social service professionals to connect individuals with non-clinical supports and community resources that address individual and community needs based on the social determinants of health.
The World Health Organization describes the social determinants of health (SDH) as the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and include the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These include economic policies, development agendas, social norms, social policies, and political systems.
The WHO purports that social determinants can be more important than healthcare or lifestyle choices in influencing health. Numerous studies suggest that SDH accounts for between 30-55 per cent of health outcomes. The manners in which people engage with social determinants has a larger impact than the ways our health sector contributes to our overall health.
Social prescribing closes the gap between clinical and social care by linking older adults to nonclinical services they can access in their communities, and in Medicine Hat, that includes Veiner Vintage Transport and Meals on Wheels. Our partners, funder, and team are very excited to be introducing a program that will benefit older adults who want to thrive and age in place