Links2Wellbeing

Links2Wellbeing is a pathway for healthcare providers to link older adults to social and recreational opportunities to promote their wellbeing.

Links2Wellbeing

Social Prescribing for Older Adults

Calling all Primary Care Providers

Links2Wellbeing is a pathway for primary care providers to link older adults to social and recreational opportunities to promote their health and wellbeing.

What is Social Prescribing?

Social Prescribing is a process through which family physicians and inter-professional health practitioners can prescribe non-clinical options for their patients. It recognizes that not all health and wellness needs are primarily medical in nature.

The goal of Social Prescribing is to create a pathway that promotes holistic health and wellbeing by integrating health and social care.

What does Social Prescribing look like in your community?

Step 1. Senior Active Living Centres (SALCs), Primary Care Providers (PCPs) and other health professionals in their communities connect together.

Step 2. PCPs identify patients/clients that may benefit from participation in social and recreational activities provided through SALCs, and write social prescription for local SALCs.

Step 3. Prescription received. The centre will have designated staff connecting older adults/seniors to different programs and services depending on identified needs and interests.

What are the potential benefits for you and your healthcare team?

  • Fewer non-medical visits where the presenting symptoms include, for example, symptoms of loneliness and/or isolation.
  • Fills in gaps in healthcare system by providing links to community resources.

How will your patients benefit from Social Prescribing?

  • Helps connecting older adults to social and community activities.
  • Helps expanding older adults’ network of peer support.
  • Helps reducing negative health impact caused by isolation and loneliness.
  • Helps improving overall wellbeing.

Free access to Senior programs and services at University Settlement

University Settlement is one of the 300 Senior Active Living Centres in Ontario. We offer a wide selection of social and recreational programs and activities for older adults and seniors, including:

  • Tai Chi
  • Yoga
  • Line Dancing
  • Chinese Calligraphy Classes
  • Cantonese Opera Singing Class
  • Table Tennis
  • Seniors Computer Classes
  • Seniors Outing Events
  • Mental Health and Safety Workshops for Seniors (ex. Stress Management, Fraud Prevention)

Contact Us for More Information

For more information, please email: l2w@universitysettlement.ca

This project is delivered in collaboration with Alliance for Healthier Communities and Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO).