Social supports can be a new lease on life for elders
Leslie Disler, left, with her mother.
Leslie Disler knows first hand how the right social supports can improve health. Leslie’s mother, now 86, was able to regain her sense of community and remain active thanks to a program offered by the Renfrew-Collingwood Seniors’ Society and funded by the VCH SMART Fund.
Leslie describes her mother as a “professional stay at home mom from the 1950s” whose greatest sense of achievement was raising three kids to be responsible, independent thinkers, and community-minded adults.
Over the years Leslie’s mother had lost social connections. People moved in and out of the neighbourhood and friends passed away. Her children had their own lives. Bowling and knitting, once a joy, became a struggle. The changes were taking a toll on her mental well being.
Leslie heard about a program at the Renfrew-Collingwood Seniors’ Society and brought her mom to the Centre. After a year Leslie’s mom gained much-needed weight and became engaged in her new community. Her spirit soared in anticipation of a community felting art project depicting Diaper Hill, and area where the War Vets had settled.
“This program made her memory perk up and remember how good life really is,” said Leslie. “She’s disappointed when it isn’t a day to go to the Centre to see her friends.”
Leslie’s mom needs more assistance than before and attends a different program now where she looks forward to sit-yoga, having a nurse check her blood pressure, and buying a nourishing meal to take home. There’s singing, walking and the occasional day bus trip.
“Prevention is the best defense against mental and physical illness,” said Leslie. “We are blessed to have such caring and respectful staff within our community… it’s truly a community within a community.
More about the Renfrew-Collingwood Seniors’ Society
Provides a coordinated service to seniors, facilitating participation in a luncheon and activity program which incorporates socialization, education, and recreation for isolated seniors and enhance autonomous, independent living skills in a manner that is inclusive and representative of the community demographics. More
How social supports improves population Health:
A growing body of research shows that positive social support networks are linked with positive impacts on overall physical health, mental health, sexual health, disability status, risk of dementia, longevity, illness relapses, and hospitalizations. This positive impact occurs because strong social support networks can lead to things like: reduced stress; improved self-esteem; new coping mechanisms; improved sense of self-worth and purpose; new life-skills; being connected with other support services; learning healthy behaviours. Report
About the VCH SMART Fund
The Sharon Martin Community Health (SMART) Fund supports non-profit agencies that help individuals from vulnerable populations engage with their communities and enhance their social support networks. More