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Seniors Community Connector - A Social Prescribing Program

Serving Sicamous, Malakwa, Salmon Arm, Enderby, South Shuswap, North Shuswap and Chase areas.

The Community Connector helps seniors improve their health and well-being by participating in meaningful activities and being connected to community services. These services include nutritional supports, physical activity, grief and loss support, social opportunities and more.

Seniors are typically referred by a professional such as a family physician, nurse practitioner, social worker, Interior Health clinician, or other community-based seniors services.

This program is funded by the BC Ministry of Health and managed by United Way British Columbia’s Healthy Aging Programs.

For more information, please download the Community Connector Brochure

Referral Criteria

This program is for older adults living in the Shuswap area who are experiencing:

  • Social isolation or loneliness
  • Major life changes such as:
    bereavement, retirement, changes in health and independence
  • Low to moderate frailty or at risk of becoming frail
  • Physical inactivity
  • Poor nutrition or food security concerns
  • High barriers to accessing services on their own
  • Poor health outcomes associated with social determinants of health (low income, unsafe housing, Indigenous/Metis/lnuit, LGBTQA2S, history of Adverse Childhood Experience, etc.)
  • Frequent use of primary health care

Social Prescribing is NOT for:

  • Adults under the age of 55
  • People who are experiencing chronic physical needs that lead to severe lack of independence.
  • People who require daily support or services
  • People who do not desire to participate in independent wellness planning. The Connector is available for ongoing support, encouragement, and connections; however, active client engagement is essential.

Physician, community, and self-referrals are welcome via our online fillable referral form.

Fillable Referral Form

Here is an example of the Seniors Community Connector pathway:

  1.  An older adult learns from their doctor that they have early dementia.
  2. They tell their primary care provider they want to remain independent and living at home for as long as possible. They are worried about depending on others for transportation when they have to give up their drivers’ license.
  3. Their primary care provider refers them to a Seniors Community Connector for help and support with their non-medical needs – like physical and social activities, grocery shopping and transportation.
  4. The Seniors Community Connector partners with them to develop a wellness plan that focuses on ways to improve their health and well-being.
  5. This plan includes applying for HandyDART transportation, setting up meal delivery and light housekeeping services and enrolling in a program to stay physically and socially active in their community. They are also connected with an Alzheimer’s Society support group and a grief counsellor.
Fillable Referral Form

For further inquiries, please contact your local Community Connector:

    Salmon Arm/Sicamous/Malakwa
    Enderby
        South Shuswap
        North Shuswap/Chase