This  training will be delivered in 2 parts.  Day 1 will be on April 4th from 9:00am-4:00pm (live-online) and the Day 2 will be on April 6th from 9:00am-4:00pm (live-online).

Instructor: Barbara McGibbon

Aging and Homelessness is a deep and reflective, hands-on training that connects concepts like ageism and the unique challenges around health and homelessness to situations and tactics encountered while working with older homeless adults. According to Statistics Canada, over 30% of the current homeless population in Ontario is over the age of 50.  This statistic is growing at an alarming rate, as the general population ages and financial and other resources like supportive, affordable housing or Long Term Care become harder to attain.   As such, this growing population face unique challenges that require unique supports and approaches to care.

Aging and Homelessness examines the physical, mental and emotional changes people undergo as they age, and how Ageism, the unchallenged prejudice that permeates our society, results in discrimination in every aspect of the lives of Older Adults.  Participants will learn and practice actual scenarios and strategies relevant to their own workplaces.   This training provides practical tools that can be used in a wide range of circumstances to guide social support processes within the human services sector.

Who is taking this course?

This course is ideally suited for frontline staff working in shelter, respite and residential settings but the techniques can be applied by anyone who is interacting with older homeless populations. Anyone having face-to-face conversations with vulnerable populations will benefit from this session.

Learning Objectives for Participants:

• Gain a better understanding of the needs of the Older Adults with whom they work, and, how best to meet those needs
• Review statistical information on the numbers and demographic profiles of the older homeless individuals using the Street Needs Assessment and Census data as well as how this contrasts with similar statistics for the general population
• Practice approaches to complex situations through role-playing and scenario-based exercises
• Learn communication techniques that help to build deeper and more meaningful relationships with older adults experiencing homelessness and effect greater and more meaningful change.

Learning Objectives for Managers:

• Improve health outcomes and service retention amongst older program users
• Participants will be able to lead scans of their own agency/service for Ageist practices and attitudes, appropriate service delivery, and physical accessibility using a checklist
• Participants will be able to share strategies for improving services for Older Adults
• Participants will act as resource persons upon return to their own agencies by sharing information, resources and strategies
• Creation of staff alignment to current best practices in dealing with older populations and overall reduction of barriers to program access
• Increase staff comfort and empowerment when dealing with complex situations