ITMAV in Lachine: Building connections with the most vulnerable seniors

In Lachine, aging should never mean isolation. It is with this in mind that the ITMAV project – Community Outreach Initiatives for Vulnerable Seniors – was established at the Lachine Multi-Resource Centre (CMRL). Supported by the provincial ITMAV program, this project aims to reach, support, and assist seniors experiencing fragility, often invisible to the general public.

At CMRL, ITMAV naturally fits into the organization's mission: to encourage citizen participation, break isolation and promote the well-being of Lachine residents, regardless of their age or life path.

This year, we participated in an operation with the SPVM (Montreal Police Service) and other community organizations to raise awareness among seniors about fraud, the importance of mutual respect and consideration, and the summer heat wave. We distributed thermometers and shared helpful information.

Go and meet the elderly, where they are

The heart of the ITMAV project is community outreach : going to seniors rather than waiting for them to come knocking on the door of the CMRL. The ITMAV outreach worker travels throughout the neighbourhoods, visits apartment buildings, participates in community activities, and stays attuned to what is happening on the ground. She meets people who, for various reasons, do not use existing resources, for example:

• Seniors living alone and feeling isolated;

• People with physical or mental health problems;

• Exhausted caregivers;

· Elderly newcomers who are discovering a new country and a new service system.

Through simple conversations, a phone call, a home visit, or assistance in accessing a service, ITMAV builds bridges of trust . Each encounter is an opportunity to empower the individual, reassure them, and remind them that they are not alone.

Breaking isolation and promoting participation

One of ITMAV's major goals is to break social isolation , a factor that directly influences the overall health and quality of life of seniors.

In concrete terms, the project:

• Informs seniors about services available in the community (health, recreation, psychosocial support, food, advocacy, etc.);

· Accompanies them towards these resources, especially when the procedures seem complicated or intimidating;

· Encourages them to participate in CMRL activities (coffee meetups, workshops, physical activities, conferences, outings, etc.), but also in those of neighborhood partners;

· supports seniors during more difficult times (bereavement, separation, moving, loss of autonomy, personal crisis).

Every little step counts: getting out of the house, coming to an activity, meeting new people, laughing over coffee, feeling listened to… All of this helps to keep seniors in their community , with dignity and pride.

A process of listening, respect, and trust

The work in this area is based on a very human approach:

• Listen without judgment ;

• Respect the person's pace;

• Recognize its strengths, its histories, its cultures;

· Work with her, not in her place.

The ITMAV worker often becomes a point of reference: a trusted person to whom one can ask questions, talk about concerns, or simply share their daily life. It is this relationship, patiently built, that opens doors and prevents situations of breakdown, distress, or abuse.

A project at the heart of a supportive community

In Lachine, ITMAV does not work alone. The project relies on a vast network of partners: health and social services, social geriatrics, community organizations, resources for caregivers, social housing for seniors, etc. Together, these partners join forces to offer more comprehensive support that is closer to the real needs of seniors.

Growing old together, differently

Through ITMAV, the CMRL conveys a clear vision: aging is not just a matter of age, it is a matter of connection.

Where there is listening, solidarity, encounters and respect, there is life, courage and dignity.

The ITMAV project in Lachine is this:

• To reach out to those we don't see often enough ,

· To extend a hand to them ,

· And to build with them a community where every senior citizen has their place, their voice and their importance.

If you know a vulnerable senior in Lachine – or if you are in this situation yourself – please don't hesitate to contact the CMRL. Together, we can ensure that no one ages in obscurity. 💛

How to contact ITMAV Lachine

Person in charge: Grethel Rendon

E-mail : itmav@cmrl.ca

Telephone: 438 523-3985

Feel free to contact us to learn more, to refer a senior citizen or to collaborate with the ITMAV project in Lachine.

In the company of Myrbelle, the social geriatrics navigator, during a reconnaissance activity in a residence for elderly people.