A social prescribing pilot project connecting seniors to City-run programs and activities is in the process of being formed, with funding from the community program development grant helping to get it off the ground. (Dreamstime)

By Jordan Davidson

social prescription

Pilot project working to get Nanaimo seniors more connected to community

May 16, 2024 | 5:35 AM

NANAIMO — A new pilot project getting ready to launch wants to help isolated and lonely seniors get more involved in community programs.

The non-profit group Nanaimo Division of Family Practice (NDFP) were provisionally awarded a City grant on Wednesday, May 15 to help launch a social prescribing pilot project.

Director of recreation and culture Darcie Osborne said at Council’s finance and audit committee meeting the unique program brings health and community practitioners together to identify someone’s health-related social needs.

“Work with the isolated senior and identify recreation and culture programs that might fulfill that social isolation for them. The link worker spends time with them, identifies what their interests are, and then helps to connect them to those social recreational opportunities within our community.”

The application for $6,120 comes from the community program development grants with the program hiring two recreation therapists, or link workers, to help connect seniors with programs run out of the Bowen Park Complex.

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NDFP and Island Health already hired one link worker, while the United Way funds another via Nanaimo Family Life.

Osborne said the program works when a physician prescribes increased social interaction for their patient, which would connect them to the link worker.

“The link worker works with the client to identify what their interests are. We would look to provide them with that experience to that program and hope to have them succeed in that program so that they would continue on their own.”

Link workers will check in with clients during and after the program has been completed to see if an additional social ‘prescription’ is required.

Osborne said they are always looking for funding options at all levels of government, with the goal being for all of the programs to work together to meet senior’s needs.

“We have two link workers that we have currently hired and what’s really great about that is they will be based out of the Bowen complex, so they’ll have full access and exposure to the Harbor City seniors program.”

Committee member Coun. Hilary Eastmure supported the pilot project, saying financial limits can also play a factor in seniors feeling isolated from their communities.

“We have so many seniors who are living in poverty because pensions and old age security and guaranteed income supplements just not keeping up. They’re feeling isolated at home because they can’t afford to go out, they can’t afford the cab fare or the gas or the registration fees.”

The committee voted unanimously in favour of the motion, which will be reviewed for formal approval at a future council meeting.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow