White Rock / South Surrey

The Social Prescribing program supports seniors to access non-clinical, community-based services to prevent or delay frailty by fostering resilience and social support using a comprehensive, strength-based approach. Participants of social prescribing programs out of the UK have reported improvements to health and wellbeing, health-related behaviour, emotional state, social contacts, and day-to-day functioning. When a Healthcare provider identifies a patient who could benefit from the program, they can send a 'prescription' to the Seniors' Community Connector who will support the patient to access suitable local sources of support.

Referral Criteria Seniors living in South Surrey/White Rock who are experiencing:
- Social isolation
- Mental health concerns
- Major life events such as loss of a spouse
- Chronic diseases
- Physical inactivity
- Poor nutrition and/or food security concerns
- Poor health outcomes associated with social determinants of health (low income, Indigenous/Metis/Inuit, etc.)
- Frequent use of primary health care

Examples of Non-Clinical Community Support Services:
- Physical Activity Programs: osteofit, walking groups, chair yoga, lawn bowling, Aquafit, Move for Life
- Nutritional/Food Programs: batch cooking programs, congregate meal programs, cooking classes, Meals on Wheels, Food Bank and food security programs
- Social Programs & Services: art classes, book clubs, coffee clubs, knitting groups, community centers, mental health services and support with applications for HandyDart, taxi savers and affordable housing
- Caregiver Programs: support groups, education sessions, one-to-one support