[Research] Evidence-informed policy brief – Utilizing the determinants of healthy aging to guide the choice of social prescriptions for older adults
Evidence-informed policy brief – Utilizing the determinants of healthy aging to guide the choice of social prescriptions for older adults
Beth Mansell, MPH Author
Anne Summach, MN Author
Samantha Molen, MSW Author
Tammy O’Rourke, PhD Author
Executive summary
The age of Canada’s population is increasing, necessitating innovative methods and tools for assessing the needs of older adults and identifying effective health and social prescriptions. In Alberta, a community-based, senior-serving organization undertook the development and piloting of the Healthy Aging Asset Index, an assessment tool and social prescribing guide for use by a variety of professionals within the community. Tool development was rooted in medical complexity assessment and social work practice, and adhered to the determinants of healthy aging established by Alberta’s Healthy Aging Framework, which is based on the determinants of healthy aging published by the World Health Organization. Results from the pilot showed improvement in the functionality of older adults within the determinants over time, as they were supported in addressing areas of personal vulnerability. Adopting tools such as the Healthy Aging Asset Index can bring cohesiveness to the support that older adults receive across the care continuum and has the potential to shift the balance of care away from the health system and towards the community, thus improving the capacity of health systems and government to meet the needs of Canada’s older adults.
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By
HPCDP Journal
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Published
Sep 25, 2024
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Subject Area
- General Health and Wellness
- Information, Referral, & Advocacy
- Non-profit / Charitable sector
- Age-friendly Communities
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Audience
- Academics
- Funders
- Government (Politicians, Policy Makers) and Health Authorities
- Service Providers (Non-profits, Community Organizations, Local government)
- Caregivers, Seniors & Volunteers
- Government
- Health Authorities
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Category
- Advocacy
- Evidence-based & emerging practices
- Impact Stories
- Research & Evidence
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