Developed by Dr Stéphane Lemire, a geriatric physician who created the AGES Foundation in 2014, the Social Geriatrics (GS) model is currently experiencing remarkable growth in Quebec, with the recent announcement of funding for 20 pilot projects for three years (2024-2027).
We can briefly summarize the model by describing it as a collective action within a community to identify and support seniors in vulnerable situations or at risk of fragility, with the purpose of «adding life to the years». At the centre of this approach is upstream work and prevention for the health of seniors and targeted interventions during “episodes of accelerated aging”.
The pilot project in Lachine began in October 2024 and is led by the CMRL, with the support of several partners, including the CIUSSS and the Table des 50 ans et plus de Dorval-Lachine. The identification of seniors is made possible thanks to the collaboration of sentinels, citizens who keep their eyes open and can “sound alerts” when a senior is in difficulty. As of July 2024, 40 citizens of Lachine have taken a 3-hour training (2 blocks of 1h30) to become sentries. In particular, the training helps to distinguish between normal and pathological aging. Many sentinels consider that training is also useful for oneself! Who can become a sentinel? Anyone who comes into contact with seniors: neighbours concerned about the well-being of neighbourhood seniors, caregivers, staff and volunteers in residences, pharmacists, hairdressers, etc.
Together we are building a caring community for seniors in Lachine!
The alerts are made to the «navigator» Rayya Khairallah, who then meets with the senior to look with her all her needs using the SENIORS AD-PLUS grid. When more clinical needs are present, discussions are held with health professionals associated with the project within the CLSC’s Seniors Independence Support Program (SAPA).
The Age Foundation supports the CMRL on an ongoing basis for the development of the GS project, with the support of a counsellor, but also with two communities of practice, one for navigators and one for coordinators. National KM meetings are also held annually.
The Age Foundation is also at the origin of the Seniors Health Innovation Laboratory (LISA) which supports organizations wishing to develop other projects that are related to social geriatrics: loan of adapted equipment program (e.g. canes, walkers)One of the most recent programs developed at LISA is NutriAge, which provides seniors with lactose-free protein milk and multivitamins for a period of 12 weeks. This program was developed to counter undernutrition in seniors, knowing that many of them do not reach the recommended dose of protein every day and that with age, protein needs increase. For Phase I, the program was implemented in 4 sectors in Quebec, including Lachine, for seniors who benefit from the Saints-Anges meals on Wheels program.
We can undoubtedly say that the GS project is developing well in Lachine, with a dozen seniors currently accompanied by Rayya, seniors who can already testify that the support provided allows to «age better».
Long live social geriatrics!
There are training sessions every month. The sessions are held at the RMCC in the form of a zoom projection followed by a group discussion period. There are also evening sessions that can be done online on zoom, from home.
Upcoming training sessions August 2024
August 12 and 14 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – in groups, at the CMRL premises
August 26 and 28 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm – online
To register for the training, please contact Rayya 438-404-7827 or intervention.aines@cmrl.ca
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