We asked, you answered: Next #CaretoChat will tackle seniors isolation

For the first time ever, BCCPA members voted to choose the topic for the Spring 2018 Care to Chat. Members chose from four topics developed by BCCPA’s Policy and Research Department, and shortlisted by the Events and Recognition Committee.

After a tie-breaker vote, the final results are in–the topic for BCCPA’s third and final Care to Chat for the 2017/18 season is Suffering in Silence–Solving Seniors Isolation in B.C. The event, which will feature leading continuing care experts from B.C., will take place on Friday, March 2nd 2018 at the Terminal City Club in Vancouver.

A 2008/09 Canadian Community Health Survey found that one-fifth of seniors felt left out, isolated from others, or lacked companionship. Social isolation is associated higher risks of mortality in older adults, and is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It can be twice as unhealthy as obesity, increasing chances of early death by 14 per cent.

“Seniors isolation is nothing short of a public health crisis, and an issue the BCCPA has addressed many times,” says BCCPA CEO Daniel Fontaine.

“At this Care to Chat, we hope to take the dialogue on seniors isolation to the next level by discussing challenges and potential solutions to improve seniors’ quality of life.”

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Given the physical and mental challenges faced with seniors isolation, the BCCPA advocated for the creation of a Seniors Quality of Life Fund to increase access to social and adult day programs for seniors in long-term care and in the community.

The BCCPA also launched a media campaign, with ads broadcasted on major BC radio stations to give seniors the “gift of time” during the holiday season particularly reminding people to take time out of their busy holiday schedules to visit seniors in their homes.

Registration

This is the final Care to Chat of the 2017/18 season.

Friday, March 2nd 2018
Terminal City Club
11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Click here to register before February 23 2018.

MOC Category I Credits

MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION
Attendance at this program entitles certified Canadian College of Health Leaders members (CHE / Fellow) to 1.5 Category I credits toward their maintenance of certification requirement.