Moving Moments – an Innovative Community-Based Approach to Addressing Social Isolation in Older Adults
Tracks
Auditorium and Virtual via OnAIR
| Friday, November 10, 2023 |
| 8:30 AM - 8:50 AM |
Overview
Chris Seiboth and Natalija Pearn, Lutheran Services
Speaker
Natalija Pearn
Creative Programs Advisor
Lutheran Services
Moving Moments – an Innovative Community-based Approach to Addressing Social Isolation in Older Adults
Abstract
Moving Moments is a partnership between Country to Coast, QLD and Lutheran Services. It was established in response to social isolation and its negative psychological impacts for seniors living in Central Queensland, Biloela.
Social Isolation is a compounding product experienced in older years due to reduced mobility and social role valorisation. During the recent COVID 19 pandemic, increased numbers of seniors reported feeling isolated and displaced in their community.
Moving Moments brings together a range of seniors living in Biloela in response to their presenting symptoms. Via individual supports and group activities participants found a safe environment to explore their feelings of loss and isolation. Together they participated in intergenerational activities with preschool and primary students, received specialist advice from a range of health professionals and found new roles in supporting new arrivals through teaching English.
The delivery of Moving Moments has highlighted useful learnings for similar program success:
- The appointment of a program coordinator with existing community knowledge and experience with vulnerable groups has been essential in identifying isolated individuals, creating a safe space, and facilitating connections with community.
- The integration of program activities with existing community offerings has enhanced community ownership and support of the program and participants.
- The delivery of a variety of activities had increased program uptake and impact, with activity categories including general social activities, educational/psychosocial support activities, opportunities for participants to contribute to community.
Each participant was assessed using standardised measures (Kessler K-5, De Jong Gierveld Scale - short) to measure the effect of interventions used. The presentation will detail methodology taken during the program and the impact for the seniors’ participating. The presentation will further describe the positive mental health impacts for others assisted through the program via the intergenerational activities and those learning English with support of the seniors.
Social Isolation is a compounding product experienced in older years due to reduced mobility and social role valorisation. During the recent COVID 19 pandemic, increased numbers of seniors reported feeling isolated and displaced in their community.
Moving Moments brings together a range of seniors living in Biloela in response to their presenting symptoms. Via individual supports and group activities participants found a safe environment to explore their feelings of loss and isolation. Together they participated in intergenerational activities with preschool and primary students, received specialist advice from a range of health professionals and found new roles in supporting new arrivals through teaching English.
The delivery of Moving Moments has highlighted useful learnings for similar program success:
- The appointment of a program coordinator with existing community knowledge and experience with vulnerable groups has been essential in identifying isolated individuals, creating a safe space, and facilitating connections with community.
- The integration of program activities with existing community offerings has enhanced community ownership and support of the program and participants.
- The delivery of a variety of activities had increased program uptake and impact, with activity categories including general social activities, educational/psychosocial support activities, opportunities for participants to contribute to community.
Each participant was assessed using standardised measures (Kessler K-5, De Jong Gierveld Scale - short) to measure the effect of interventions used. The presentation will detail methodology taken during the program and the impact for the seniors’ participating. The presentation will further describe the positive mental health impacts for others assisted through the program via the intergenerational activities and those learning English with support of the seniors.
Biography
Natalija has over 10 years’ experience in allied health, aged care, and community health development, including experience developing and implementing successful community health programs in and alongside rural communities. Natalija specialises in the meaningful engagement of older adults living in residential aged care and in the community, focusing on creative and positive approaches to support people living with dementia and their carers. Natalija is completing post-graduate studies in dementia.
Chris Seiboth
Executive Lead Of Community Services
Lutheran Services
Moving Moments – an Innovative Community-based Approach to Addressing Social Isolation in Older Adults
Abstract
Moving Moments is a partnership between Country to Coast, QLD and Lutheran Services. It was established in response to social isolation and its negative psychological impacts for seniors living in Central Queensland, Biloela.
Social Isolation is a compounding product experienced in older years due to reduced mobility and social role valorisation. During the recent COVID 19 pandemic, increased numbers of seniors reported feeling isolated and displaced in their community.
Moving Moments brings together a range of seniors living in Biloela in response to their presenting symptoms. Via individual supports and group activities participants found a safe environment to explore their feelings of loss and isolation. Together they participated in intergenerational activities with preschool and primary students, received specialist advice from a range of health professionals and found new roles in supporting new arrivals through teaching English.
The delivery of Moving Moments has highlighted useful learnings for similar program success:
- The appointment of a program coordinator with existing community knowledge and experience with vulnerable groups has been essential in identifying isolated individuals, creating a safe space, and facilitating connections with community.
- The integration of program activities with existing community offerings has enhanced community ownership and support of the program and participants.
- The delivery of a variety of activities had increased program uptake and impact, with activity categories including general social activities, educational/psychosocial support activities, opportunities for participants to contribute to community.
Each participant was assessed using standardised measures (Kessler K-5, De Jong Gierveld Scale - short) to measure the effect of interventions used. The presentation will detail methodology taken during the program and the impact for the seniors’ participating. The presentation will further describe the positive mental health impacts for others assisted through the program via the intergenerational activities and those learning English with support of the seniors.
Social Isolation is a compounding product experienced in older years due to reduced mobility and social role valorisation. During the recent COVID 19 pandemic, increased numbers of seniors reported feeling isolated and displaced in their community.
Moving Moments brings together a range of seniors living in Biloela in response to their presenting symptoms. Via individual supports and group activities participants found a safe environment to explore their feelings of loss and isolation. Together they participated in intergenerational activities with preschool and primary students, received specialist advice from a range of health professionals and found new roles in supporting new arrivals through teaching English.
The delivery of Moving Moments has highlighted useful learnings for similar program success:
- The appointment of a program coordinator with existing community knowledge and experience with vulnerable groups has been essential in identifying isolated individuals, creating a safe space, and facilitating connections with community.
- The integration of program activities with existing community offerings has enhanced community ownership and support of the program and participants.
- The delivery of a variety of activities had increased program uptake and impact, with activity categories including general social activities, educational/psychosocial support activities, opportunities for participants to contribute to community.
Each participant was assessed using standardised measures (Kessler K-5, De Jong Gierveld Scale - short) to measure the effect of interventions used. The presentation will detail methodology taken during the program and the impact for the seniors’ participating. The presentation will further describe the positive mental health impacts for others assisted through the program via the intergenerational activities and those learning English with support of the seniors.
Biography
Chris Seiboth has more than 25 years’ sector experience, having held various senior executive positions including CEO for a health facility in South Australia, Executive Director, Community, Indigenous & Sub Acute Services for Queensland Health in Brisbane, and more recently, Community Services Executive Lead at Lutheran Services.
Chris has a passion for mental health across the lifespan and has contributed to several publications on topics such as primary care psychiatry, adolescent mental health in rural and remote communities, and the use of acute care among older people.
Moderator
Shinade Hartman
AST Management
Mel Stewart
Director
AST Management
Justine White
Event Manager
AST Management
Presenter
Natalija Pearn
Creative Programs Advisor
Lutheran Services
Chris Seiboth
Executive Lead Of Community Services
Lutheran Services
Session Chair
Sarah Loveridge
Senior Policy Officer
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
