Funded Partners

Healthy Aging Alberta’s Social Prescribing for Older Adults Program is currently supporting 10 regional social prescribing demonstration projects in:

Edmonton
Calgary
Lethbridge
Jasper
Whitecourt
Innisfail
Sylvan Lake
Red Deer County
Vulcan
Strathmore/Wheatland County

Healthy Aging Alberta distributes funding to community-based social prescribing networks in these communities, and they determine how to functionally incorporate social prescribing pathways into their community in a way that aligns with principles established by Healthy Aging Alberta. Each of these communities has at least one Link Worker that receives referrals from healthcare providers across primary care, home care, and hospital discharge.

What is social prescribing?

Social prescribing is a holistic approach to healthcare that bridges the gap between medical and social care services. Through this approach, healthcare professionals refer and connect patients to community-based programs, services and activities to improve their health and enhance their quality of life. Social prescribing promotes health equity by addressing social needs that affect health and well-being – like access to adequate housing, food, transportation, income and social support. This helps older adults with limited natural supports to thrive. If a healthcare professional notices that a patient has non-medical, health-related social needs, they can make a social prescription to a Link Worker.

What are Link Workers and how do they help?

Link Workers are non-clinical professionals employed by community-based seniors-serving organizations. They help clients to develop and achieve a personalized set of goals by accessing community resources. Link Workers do not replace the role of healthcare providers. Rather, they complement a client’s medical care by providing additional support. Typically, this is not just a single referral but a supportive, wrap-around approach of service connection to support the full development of the individual, with their active participation and collaboration in the process.

Link Workers connect clients to recreational and social programs, assist with accessing financial benefits and provide referrals to assisted transportation programs. They also connect clients to in-home support services, such as housekeeping and snow removal. Link workers also refer more complex issues to social workers who are a part of the social prescribing network in the community.

Want to learn more?

Healthy Aging Alberta has developed a 5-module e-learning curriculum for the Link Worker role that covers the Link Worker function and ecosystem, equity-based approaches to care, practical skills for serving clients, building community connections to support clients, and supporting Link Worker wellbeing. Interested Link Workers and other similar aligned roles in the sector can take the curriculum by contacting beth.mansell@healthyagingalberta.ca.

View the Social Prescribing for Older Adults Program webpage on the United Way Calgary and Area website for more information.