6 November 2023
Massage therapy, optometry, audiology, hearing clinics, mobile dental hygiene and foot care are all partner services Silvera has added to the roster of offerings at our supportive living communities in the past year.
“Through the pandemic, residents couldn’t access services in the community the same way they had before, and we realized we had an opportunity to help promote aging in place through better health and wellness,” says Olivia Chubey, Silvera’s Chief Service and Operations Officer.
“Something as simple as offering mobile dental hygiene to prevent health issues such as tooth infections – which, left unmanaged, can severely impact a resident’s quality of life – has created convenient access and promoted resident wellness.”
For residents to use these services, they need to be affordable, so providers help residents access their health benefits. Some provide extra grant funding, like medication assistance or hearing aids.
Some services are offered in resident suites, and others in dedicated spaces available in each building.
Silvera’s 2022 resident survey, which was administered early in 2023, showed that the most popular service providers so far are hair salons and foot care. Audiology and dental hygiene are also gaining traction.
Some residents who move into Silvera communities leave their old neighbourhoods and don’t know where to start looking for these services. Having paramedical service providers partner with us in community makes it simple for people who don’t already have their own. In addition, Silvera is hoping to expand access to these services to include independent living residents.
Silvera also partnered with several community geriatricians who visit Silvera supportive living communities on a regular basis. This allows anyone who lives in our buildings to see a doctor, should they not have their own.
“Silvera’s Service Strategy is a neighbourhood model of operation that connects our independent living residents with a supportive living neighbourhood hub,” explains Olivia. “Access to practical healthy aging solutions like these affordable wellness partner services is one of the ways we can connect independent living residents with their local supportive living hubs.”
Our current lineup of service partners is just the beginning, says Olivia. “We’re improving how our teams promote these services to residents before we invite other partners, like denturists, into our communities.”
A possible future service could be a clinic to help residents better manage incontinence, as bladder infections contribute to many instances of resident hospitalization.
“Infections, like tooth or bladder, can lead to a delirium, which can look like onset of dementia in some older adults and can also result in falls,” says Olivia. “Broken bones and confusion can easily put you in the hospital, with a higher chance of moving to higher levels of more expensive care afterward. We want people living well with us for as long as they’re able to remain independent.”
Ultimately, these services are preventative and ensure a higher quality of life and capacity to live with us, says Olivia.
“Offering health and wellness partner services in our communities has a meaningful impact,” concludes Olivia. “Aside from some space, the costs of offering this program are minimal, but the payoff in resident health, happiness and, hopefully, longevity, is significant.”