Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grants - Institute/Initiative Community Support

Many older adults in Canada-especially those living on low incomes-face daily challenges that affect their health and well-being. Difficulties such as getting to medical appointments, affording healthy food, and finding social connection can make it harder to manage chronic illnesses and live independently. These social challenges can also lead to more hospital visits and strain on the health system. Canada's health system is mainly designed to provide medical care, not to address the social and emotional needs that shape people's ability to age well in the community. Civil society organizations (CSOs)-such as non-profits, faith-based groups, volunteer networks, and grassroots community initiatives-play an important but often underrecognized role in filling this gap. They provide meals, transportation, companionship, and advocacy, and because they are rooted in their communities, they build trust and provide support that goes beyond the reach of traditional healthcare services. However, CSOs and the health system often work separately, with little coordination or shared planning. As a result, older adults with complex needs can fall through the cracks, receiving fragmented or crisis-driven care rather than consistent support. This project will bring together community organizations, health leaders, and older adults to explore how health and community sectors can work better together to reduce social vulnerability. Focusing on two key issues-food insecurity and barriers to accessing care-it will identify what partnerships already exist, what challenges remain, and what opportunities could strengthen collaboration. The goal is to lay the foundation for new ways of working that connect health care and community supports, helping older adults live healthier, more connected, and more dignified lives in their own communities.