OVERCOMING ASSISTIVE DEVICE STIGMA: A CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE THE DAILY LIVES OF NON-METROPOLITIAN

CANADIAN SENIORSFunded by Public Health Agency of Canada

Project Team

BCIT Team:• Dr. James Watzke, Principle Investigator• Christine Flegal, Project Manager• Angie Wong, Research Assistant• Dorothy Sitek, Weber Shandwick Worldwide (sub-contracted)

Community Teams:• Oliver BC• Nipawin SK• Middleton NS

Today’s Objectives:

To present the background and goals of the Mobility Now You’re Going Places Project

To provide an overview of what the Project workshop’s entail

To equip you with step-by-step procedures and materials to run your own Mobility program in your community

Mobility, Now you’re going places Project Goals:

1. To engage 3 selected non-metropolitan communities in three Canadian regions (BC, Sask, NS) to fully participate in the project.

Literature search (including data from Norah Keating’s VAC study on the Caring Context of Rural Seniors)

Developed specific inclusion criteria:Population 5000 or underRoyal Canadian Legion and/or active Seniors CentreLocal Health Care ProviderHealth Region to have provided a LOS for the proposal

Engaged Oliver, BC; Nipawin, Sask; Middleton, NS

Primary Project Goals cont…

2. To create and deliver a successful AD Anti-Stigma Program that educates seniors about ADs AND addresses the stigma (and/or denial) that is attached to AD usage.

How did we do this??Hired a PR/Marketing firm to assist in all

activities, including developing a “social marketing campaign” to address stigma

Development of AD Anti-Stigma Program cont…

Hired a local Community Coordinator to oversee and implement all project activities (ensure local community flavour has been injected)

Engaged local Seniors who not only use ADs, but are proud of doing so

Hired a local OT or PT to act as the team AD “expert”

Development of AD Anti-Stigma Program cont… Chose 5 ADs to highlight:

Canes Walkers Scooters Grab bars Hip Protectors

Developed a “brand” for the project that would build a foundation for an ongoing project

Development of AD Anti-Stigma Program cont…

Held 4 AD Anti-Stigma Workshops in each community that:

Was innovative (comedy of Don Harron)

Development of AD Anti-Stigma Program cont…

Utilized entertainment to increase comfort around AD use (assisted in creating a warm, non-threatening environment)

Development of AD Anti-Stigma Program cont…

Provided clinical information, show and tell from the expert

Development of AD Anti-Stigma Program cont…

Workshops facilitated by seniors for seniors (peer to peer component)

Allowed plenty of opportunity for participants to discuss their concerns/fears about AD use

Development of AD Anti-Stigma Program cont… Developed media package for CCs to ensure good

media uptake by local newspapers, radio, TV

Evaluate the level of attitudinal change through pre and post workshop questionnaires

Key Objectives, Tasks and Deliverables Cont…

3. Leave a tangible and sustainable AD Anti-Stigma Program in the three project communities, as well as facilitate the adoption of the Program in other non-metropolitan communities across Canada.

Distributed a graduation package for each participant Produce a start-up kit for other rural communities Ensure local healthcare providers maintain anti-stigma

momentum

Introducing Charlie Farquharson…

Pre-Workshop Activities

Creation of the mobility team Community Coordinator Senior Facilitator Peer Tutors OT or PT

Venue

Dates (we had 4 workshops but this could be tailored to your own program)

Promoting the workshops (e.g. media, posters, word of mouth)

AD supplier

Food

Volunteers

Key elements of the Mobility Program

Mobility is one of the keys to preserving independence and quality of life (Prevention and Safety!)

The Mobility Team is here to help with peer support and expert knowledge

The Mobility Team is supported by Public Health Agency of Canada

Don’t let Stigma get in the way!

The workshops…

Goal was to develop momentum throughout the workshops whereby seniors initially start off alone but by the 4th workshop are now part of the team.

Intent was to create an environment where seniors (and their families) felt comfortable asking questions, felt inspired to come back for more, see value and get practical help and encourage others to come to subsequent sessions.

Targeted community based seniors who are in need of ADs but are in denial.

The “meat and potatoes” of the Workshops

Workshop one overview:

Pre-workshop Questionnaire Good way to evaluate their thoughts about ADs etc, before

the workshops take place

Welcome and Intros Senior Facilitator shares his/her story about why they’re

here, why ADs are important, etc Housekeeping rules Purpose of the workshops “Aha! moment”

PSA video Good way to get them thinking about ADs, pride, etc

Meat and potatoes cont…

Activity pro-cons discussion Have them verbalize the issues/fears/etc of using ADs Then have them verbalize the positive outcomes/aspects of

ADs (hopefully this grows over the course of the workshops)

Don Video introduction

Overall program goals The ADs are like “tool” talk What devices will be highlighted throughout the workshops

Break This not only gives them a break but allows for participants

to chat about what they learned; and through the visiting, begin to build a “team” feeling

Meat and potatoes cont…

Identify this session’s goals “This portion of today’s workshop is on canes…”

Don Video (canes)

Peer Testimonial (canes) Senior who uses a cane tells their story

Activity: Weigh Scale Demo Thunder and Rain Local Entertainment

Clinical component, show & tell, Q & A

Adding to pros list

closing

BACK TO CHARLIE!

Now the Fun Part…Sustainability!

The Starter Kit

Engaging your Health Authority

Advertise!

Your Thoughts, Questions???

Resources

• www.bcit.ca/mobility -Workshop Binders• www.otworks.ca – Tools for Living Well• www.arthritis.ca – Self-Management

Programs• www.cmhc.ca – Home Adaptations • www.phac-spc.gc.ca/seniorsaines -Safe

Living Guide, Go For It, Bruno & Alice• www.smartrisk.ca – a National Statistics

Source

THANK YOU!!

Your Commitment to this Workshop has been greatly appreciated!