What Is Social Prescribing? A Holistic Approach to Health Care

Brooke MacCallum

At some point in your life, you’ve probably been given a medical prescription. The process is a familiar one: you make an appointment with a doctor or health-care provider, giving them a detailed explanation of any changes in your health. In return, they might ask you specific questions, perform a physical exam, and run tests to confirm a diagnosis. In some cases, a prescription is written as part of your treatment plan, and you’re on track to staying healthy — yay!

But what if you could receive a prescription to fill some other non-medical needs in your life? It turns out, you can. To support healthy aging while reducing pressures on the health-care system, Healthy Aging Alberta (HAA) began the Social Prescribing for Older Adults Program. This plan was designed to bridge the gap between medical and social services for older adults through strengthened connections in their community.

So, how exactly does social prescribing work?

“In their appointment or conversation, the health-care provider might recognize that the patient has some unmet non-medical needs,” explains Beth Mansell, Provincial Social Prescribing Project Manager at HAA. “The health-care provider then makes a referral to a link worker, who meets with the older adult for a more holistic assessment and to co-create a care plan together, which is very participatory.”

There are many needs older adults might experience that aren’t medical, but still affect their health: social isolation, food security, financial strain, access to transportation, the list goes on. “We know that these challenges can have a long-term effect. By connecting these individuals to the supports they need in their community, we can have a positive outcome on their well-being,” says Krista Mulbery, Social Prescribing Manager at Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council (ESCC).

Over a period of time, between three to six months on average, link workers help older adults achieve the goals set out in their care plans by connecting them with resources including social, financial, or recreational programs. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach — each client has unique needs. Link workers might assist clients with filling out forms to access benefits, go with them to a social group or recreational class for the first time, or help them find in-home support such as light housekeeping, snow removal, or a meal delivery service.

“There’s a lot of support out there, but accessing them and following through can be a barrier,” says Mulbery. “As we’re co-creating the goals with our clients, the intent is to help them transition into doing those things independently over time.”

Link workers must be trained as social prescribing professionals, but their backgrounds can vary; some are registered social workers, while others are simply passionate about working with older adults and have an extensive knowledge of the different programs and services that exist in their community. In their roles, they give progress updates on the client to the referring healthcare provider and are constantly identifying new opportunities for improved services for older adults.

One of the main purposes of the social prescribing program is to take non-medical needs out of the medical system. According to Mansell, approximately 50% of social prescription referrals come from home care, 25% from primary care, and another 25% from acute care/hospital discharge. Referrals can also come from other regulated healthcare providers, such as paramedics or community pharmacists; it depends on the community and where those relationships exist.

While there is no cost for older adults to participate in the social prescribing program, costs can be associated with the resources themselves (for example, gym memberships, bus passes, housekeeping). However, link workers always strive to find supports based on each client’s financial situation.

Although this provincewide program is still in its first few years, its success has been evident with a steady rise in referrals. “We are seeing really strong impacts on individuals to maintain their overall health and wellbeing. They are able to maintain their independence, stay in their homes for longer, and remain connected to their communities,” Mulberry says.

If there isn’t a social prescribing program for older adults in your community but you would like there to be, you can connect with Healthy Aging Alberta at 403-441-2263 or [email protected] for resources to use when speaking with potential funders.

Healthy Aging Alberta currently supports social prescribing programs in the following communities:

To learn more about social prescribing, you can also visit corealberta.ca/resources/what-is-social-prescribing-in-alberta and seniorscouncil.net/social-prescribing.

Brooke MacCallum
Communications Coordinator, ARTA