- Provide core services in the health care system.
- Provide a key component of the continuum of care:
- Holistic health promotion
- Postpone and prevent disabilities
- Allow seniors to maintain their independence longer.
- Provide assessments and outreach (staff know the community and identify priority needs).
- Build community partnerships with the private sector and other senior groups to develop new programs and services.
- Educate organizations about seniors’ issues and needs.
- Accessible locations and services.
- Give seniors a voice by involving seniors in decision making processes.
- Open atmosphere, adaptable to meet diverse client needs.
- Meet the holistic needs of seniors: mind, body and soul.
Senior Centres
- Are community agencies with multiple services and a holistic health focus
- Have community based boards.
- Have professional staff maintaining the accessibility of centre services and programs.
- Offer core preventive health programs
- Provide leadership in the community
- Offer resources to senior serving organizations.
- Partner with other health care organizations to keep seniors in the community.
Drop In Centres/Seniors Clubs
- Serve their members with specific programs.
- Have member boards with no responsibilities to the larger community.
- Generally do not have professional staff.
- Focus on social and recreational programs