Communities and service organizations across Prince Edward Island can now access a tool that will help them better include seniors in their activities. Co-Chairs of the Seniors’ Secretariat, Minister Doug Currie and Anna Duffy, today introduced Working Together for Seniors: A Toolkit to Promote Senior’s Social Integration in Community Services, Programs and Polices. This handbook identifies the signs of social isolation in seniors and offers solutions, including a checklist groups can use to measure whether or not their services or programs include older Islanders.

“As we get older, sometimes illness or disability may make it more difficult to maintain the connections in the community we once had,” said Minister Currie. “This guide will help service organizations and community groups identify when a senior needs some assistance to keep as actively involved as they once were, and offers ideas on how to improve social inclusion for our Island seniors.”

“A series of events in an older person’s life can shrink their social circle, and they may end up unable to participate in many activities they once enjoyed,” said Ms. Duffy. “This toolkit will help organizations help seniors in that situation, but it will also benefit the entire community who can share in the added knowledge and experience our vibrant seniors can offer.”

The Toolkit was prepared for a working group of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors. It will be provided to interested groups, free-of-charge. Copies are available in English or French and can be obtained by phoning the Senior’s Line at 1-866-770-0588 or through the Department of Social Services and Seniors.

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