Presentation of the social geriatrics project for Lachine
Updated September 2023
Context
The results of a study conducted in 2017-2018 with 85 people aged 50 and over living in Lachine showed that local resources are little known[1]. One of the conclusions and avenues for action from the research was that a network of citizens who are caring for seniors could help improve this situation and, at the same time, identify seniors in vulnerable situations who could benefit from support. This is how the Sentinelles en veille project was born. Between 2018 and 2022, more than 200 citizens received training and became sentinels who identify and refer seniors to workers who then support them. In 2021, discussions began with the AGES Foundation (FA) to continue the process of building a community that is caring for seniors in Lachine, through a social geriatrics pilot project. The results of the pilot projects (2019-2023) are now available.
Context
The results of a study conducted in 2017-2018 with 85 people aged 50 and over living in Lachine showed that local resources are little known[1]. One of the conclusions and avenues for action from the research was that a network of citizens who are caring for seniors could help improve this situation and, at the same time, identify seniors in vulnerable situations who could benefit from support. This is how the Sentinelles en veille project was born. Between 2018 and 2022, more than 200 citizens received training and became sentinels who identify and refer seniors to workers who then support them. In 2021, discussions began with the AGES Foundation (FA) to continue the process of building a community that is caring for seniors in Lachine, through a social geriatrics pilot project. The results of the pilot projects (2019-2023) are now available.
Definition of social geriatrics (GS)
Social geriatrics stems primarily from medical expertise in geriatrics. Its main objective is to act to counter the pathological aging that can occur in older adults due to various bio-psycho-social factors. These are therefore inherent characteristics of aging that make older adults more likely to face a sudden deterioration in their health. The term "social" in social geriatrics is a reminder that the social determinants of health are as important as other determinants of health.
