Public health orgs focus on seniors’ health

Public health orgs focus on seniors’ health

On Thursday (May 22), local health and social service organizations held a day-long seminar on seniors’ health, with more than 100 attendees packing out the Campbell’s Bay RA hall. The event was a collaboration between regional health authority CISSSO, MRC Pontiac, as well as social service groups like Connexions Resource Centre and TransporAction.

CISSSO’s Pontiac representative Nicole Boucher-Larivière explained that there was a presentation of a recent report on the health of seniors in the Outaouais region, including key takeaways on the Pontiac in particular. One concerning statistic she highlighted is that overall life expectancy is roughly 2 years shorter for those in the Pontiac than the rest of the Outaouais.

Boucher-Larivière said that this may signal a need to focus on encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, pointing out that the rates of excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco use by those over the age of 65 are higher in the Pontiac than the average for Western Quebec.

Boucher-Larivière said that there was an opportunity for attendees to voice their opinions on issues affecting the health of the elderly, adding that access to healthy food is a concern, especially when seniors are no longer able to drive. She added that often times residents are unaware of all the services that are available to them via the various organizations in attendance.

The day concluded with an interactive musical activity to keep things light and friendly.