Programs Innovation is at the forefront of all of the Foundation’s activities and programs. The Foundation is proud to be proactive in the development of specialized programs for older adults that address pressing needs within our communities. Ensuring an optimal quality of life for the baby boom generation and older adults is a pressing social reality emerging from the dramatic shift in the profile of Canadian communities. As such, the Foundation currently pursues the development of programs and activities within the following domains: Caregiving Most people will become caregivers at one time or another during their lifetime. According to the 2001 census, approximately 4.58 million Canadian adults provide care to an older adult. Caregiving has been identified as the priority issue facing the labor force in the 21st century. Increasing demands on home-based support enhances the strain placed on families struggling to address competing demands. Click on the following link to find out more about how the Foundation for Vital Aging is supporting caregivers throughout the province of Quebec. Elder Abuse Cases of elder abuse are on the rise and often include psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and denial of human rights to the elderly. The Foundation’s elder abuse programs are committed to ending the silence around this issue, raising public awareness, and providing direct intervention for victims and their families. The mobilization of key stakeholders, network building, and the creation of public information forums, are among the ways in which the Foundation assists in the early detection, treatment and prevention of elder abuse. Housing The Foundation for Vital Aging is committed to advocating for high-quality health, housing and supportive services for Canada’s aging population. Healthy aging communities depend upon viable and affordable housing options. With the graying of the population, many older adults find themselves seeking more appropriate and supportive housing. By influencing the direction of public housing policy, the Foundation for Vital Aging seeks to enable older adults to maximize their assisted or independent living options, while ensuring optimal quality of life and care. Mental Health Many individuals living with mental health challenges live in relative obscurity and isolation. The stigma associated with mental health issues and the under-serviced needs of this segment of the aging population represents a pressing need in our communities. In response to this need, the Foundation focuses on the cultivation of awareness and community engagement surrounding individuals with mental health challenges. Early detection, and the integration of individuals with special needs into the community, are among the primary objectives of the Foundation. Well-aging Well-aging programs focus on prevention and assisting baby boomers and older adults in realizing and maintaining their abilities in order to best adapt to the changes related to the aging process. These programs promote a dynamic vision of the place of older adults in our society by heightening awareness and encouraging collective action in the ongoing fight against ageism. Click on the following link to see our most recent Activities Report.
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