Point Edward, ON – Lambton Public Health (LPH) has received a grant to continue to improve access to community services for individuals 55 years of age and older in Lambton County. These funds will be used within the community to better understand the needs of older adults and make it easier to access and use the health and social services already available in Lambton, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility has awarded LPH a grant of $60,000 to be used by March 31, 2022 as part of their Inclusive Communities Grant Fund. The grant aims to foster inclusive community involvement with a specific focus on older adults, using Ontario’s age-friendly community planning guide.
“Lambton County has a strong history of supporting the development of an age-friendly community,” said Kelsey Foster, Health Promoter at Lambton Public Health. “The Inclusive Communities Grant will help sustain and expand those initiatives by addressing barriers experienced by seniors in our community who have faced the poorest outcomes due to COVID-19.”
The Older Adult Care Pathway project aims to improve the experiences of older adults and their caregivers who access community supports and health services in Lambton County. Work has already begun to increase local awareness of age-friendly services, better understand the needs of older adults in Lambton, improve age-friendliness of social and community services, and enhance the coordination of care to reduce the burden on older adults and their loved ones.
“This project will have a positive impact on the health and well-being of older adults in Lambton County now and following the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kelsey. “We are excited to collaborate with the health and community services that have been at the forefront of supporting older adults and their loved ones throughout the pandemic to ensure they stay connected, integrated, respected, and have their physical and mental health needs met.”
For more information about Age-Friendly Services in Lambton County, go to https://www.agefriendlysarnialambton.ca/. To learn the different ways Lambton Public Health supports community health, and is responding to the pandemic go to https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/.
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