The social isolation experienced by a senior who is suffering from dementia can lead to further health problems and the costs associated with those ailments.
"We need a community that's trained on how to socially include families and people with dementia," Shoshannah Brechtel, elder abuse prevention coordinator with Greenwood Neighbourhood Place, told the Round Up last week.
Research from Brigham Young University in Utah indicated in a 2015 study that loneliness can pose as great a health risk as diabetes, obesity or smoking almost a pack of cigarettes a day.
"In essence, the study is saying the more positive psychology we have in our world, the better we're able to function, not just emotionally but physically," said Tim Smith, the study's co-author.
While the study also found that social isolation negatively impacts all ages, seniors tend to be more likely to be lonely and therefore face a higher mortality rate.
"Isolation is extremely detrimental to a person's health," said Brecthel.
"Without social inclusion strategies in our community, research is clearly showing that seniors that are not engaged in community are declining in health far more than those that are engaged. This then also leads to an increase in health-care costs, which we all know causes a world of hurt to everyone."
Since senior residents represent a significant portion of Sundre's population, the Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society has partnered with the Sundre Drop In Centre, the Sundre West Country Centre as well as the Alberta Council on Aging to line up some information sessions to offer families, seniors, caregivers and service providers information and resources during Seniors Week.
The idea is to encourage and foster a community atmosphere that is more dementia friendly, Brechtel said during a phone interview.
"Anyone who would like to gain more knowledge on a number of subjects affecting seniors and their families are welcome at any of the events."
Two presentations are scheduled for Tuesday, June 6: a discussion regarding dementia takes place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Mountain View Seniors' Housing Drop-In Centre followed later that afternoon from 1-3 p.m. with a presentation on recognizing fraud.
On Wednesday, June 7, there will be another presentation at the Sundre West Country Centre from 2-4 p.m. geared towards helping people to recognize signs of elder abuse as well as ways to establish a more dementia friendly community. Refreshments, snacks and door prizes will be available at all of the events.
Sundre High School will also be involved during a presentation that will provide Grade 9 students with an opportunity to experience what it might be like to have vision or hearing impairments, loss of feeling in their hands, or mobility difficulties.
"The goal of this program is to bridge the intergeneration gap through the development of empathy and the gain of knowledge," said Brechtel.
"We must begin to educate our community to ensure we are ëage friendly' in all aspects, including the very important part of knowing how to be socially inclusive to those that are affected by dementia, and their caregivers," she said.
"We would like to see through the initiatives happening at GNP and the partnership in the community the cultivation and growth of a greater respect and appreciation for our seniors in this community with tangible results."
For example, local business owners might ask themselves the following types of questions as they take steps to cater more to local seniors: is your staff trained to deal with a person with signs of dementia; do they know the signs, and do they know how to respond with courtesy and care; is your business accessible to people with mobility issues; and are your aisles wide enough for walkers.
Brecthel encourages anyone who wants to learn more about how to become age friendly to consider attending next week's presentations or to reach her at GNP by calling 403-638-1011.
