Over the next 20 years, Canada’s older adult population age 65 or older is to grow by 68%, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Today, nearly half of people age 65 and older need help with routine daily activities, and most of this help is performed by friends and family, not by personal caregivers.
The largest group of active Estonians in Canada is older adults. The implication is that we, as a community, must do more to improve services and support for not only older adult community members, but for their spouses, children and other “informal caregivers” – family members and friends who provide often daily help and are in danger of caregiver burnout.
The question quickly comes to: from what kind of assistance can our community elders benefit? What help would be welcome?
The Toronto Estonian Baptist Church was home to just such a discussion this past Saturday, Feb 12th. Participants were representatives of the Estonian Relief Committee in Canada, the Estonian Baptist Church of Toronto, the St. Andrew’s Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, the St. Peter’s Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Estonian Pensioners’ Club of Toronto “Lõbus Pärastlõuna” Organizing Committee.
The presentation was led by Maimu Mölder, member of the “Lõbusa Pärastlõuna” Organizing Committee and Allan Meiusi, Chairman of the Estonian Relief Committee in Canada.
Participants were given an overview of how an outreach and assistance program could look like and how a coalition of community organizations can often solve challenges at the community level by enlarging a base of support for initiatives among a broad range of groups. Coalitions help organizations build consensus, provide an opportunity for community education on issues, stretch resources, and create a network of collaboration.
The importance of a community needs assessment was discussed. The Estonian Relief Committee in Canada is in the midst of a community survey about its long-term care and nursing home, as well as about how older adults can be assisted in the community. Community members are urged to fill out a survey, which you can obtain by doing X [Allan, pls elaborate how to obtain survey]. A more targeted survey of needs in the home would need to follow.
The brainstorm session was lively, and at times even emotional, with several good ideas, including holding a community information meeting. Discussion topics included falls prevention, lessening feelings of loneliness and isolation, education about scams directed at older adults, elder abuse, caregiver burnout, respite care, education about the need for having legal documents in order, and the need for translators.
The meeting ended with a desire to continue the collaboration and expand it to other potentially interested groups.
The initial meeting-of-discovery was attended either in person or remotely by the following people: Maimu Mölder, Allan Meiusi, Jüri Puusaag, Talvi Maimets, Riina Klaas, Erika Jõgi, and Allan Eistrat.
Those interested in furthering the collaboration or have questions can contact Maimu Mölder at 416-421-3812.
