Social Prescribing | Community Connector

The Community Connector helps seniors improve their health and well-being by participating in meaningful activities and being connected to community services. These services include nutritional supports, physical activity, grief and loss support, social opportunities and more.

Seniors are referred by a professional such as a family physician, nurse practitioner, nurse, social worker, Interior Health clinician, or other community-based seniors services.

This program is funded by the BC Ministry of Health and managed by United Way British Columbia’s Healthy Aging Programs.

Download the brochure for more information.

Referral Criteria

This program is for older adults living in Vernon, Coldstream and Armstrong who are experiencing:

• social isolation
• mental health challenges
• major life events such as loss of a spouse
• chronic diseases
• physical inactivity
• housing insecurity (we are unable to work with clients to find housing)
• poor nutrition and/or food security concerns
• poor health outcomes associated with social determinants of health (low income, Indigenous/Metis/lnuit, LGBTQA2S, history of Adverse Childhood Experience, etc.)
• frequent use of primary health care

To make a referral, please fill out this Referral Form.

Questions? Please phone 250.545.0585 or email [email protected]

Here is an example of how a Seniors Community Connector can help:

1. An older adult learned from their doctor that they have early dementia.

2. They told their primary care provider they want to remain independent and living at home for as long as possible. They are worried about depending on others for transportation when they have to give up their drivers’ license.

3. Their primary care provider referred them to a Seniors Community Connector for help and support with their non-medical needs – like physical and social activities, grocery shopping and transportation.

4. The Seniors’ Community Connector partnered with them to develop a wellness plan focused on their well-being.

5. This plan included applying for HandyDART transportation, setting up meal delivery and light housekeeping services and enrolling in a program to stay physically and socially active in their community. They were also connected with an Alzheimer’s Society support group and a grief counsellor.