Cluster Care reduces isolation, improves safety for Nova Scotia grandmother
A client of VON’s Cluster Care program says the supports she has received have increased her feelings of social connection and improved her safety and mobility.
The 72-year-old client faces mobility challenges due to rheumatoid arthritis and previous surgeries to replace her knees and remove parts of her feet.
Since the launch of the Cluster Care program in December 2023, she has benefited from the social functions provided and the support of the on-site Cluster Care team. She enjoys participating in activities including painting, crafts, musical performances and bingo, as well as attending monthly birthday parties for other residents.
She has also benefited from education experiences, including information sessions on topics like dealing with bullying behavior.
The client is most appreciative of the fact that the Cluster Care team is available to her if she has questions or concerns.
“I told them about the fact that an occupational therapist from the hospital had come and suggested that I put a board underneath my sofa cushion, so that that would help me get up better,” she says. “But I found out that putting the board underneath the sofa cushion caused me to have swelling in my legs.”
Knickolle Pitcher, Client Cluster Case Coordinator, sourced a small stool for her, so that she could elevate her legs when sitting on the sofa. She has since noticed a reduction in swelling.
The team also helped her navigate an issue with not being able to receive incoming telephone calls. The client had reached out to the telephone service provider with no luck. But the Cluster Care team was able to quickly make a change inside the apartment to get the phone calls back on track.
“All these things over time have been very useful, to have somebody to talk about a problem with, and they're very approachable,” the client notes. “If I have a concern, I just go into the office and quietly state what my concern is. And if they can't deal with it right that minute, they make time for me a little bit later, but usually it's right away.”
The busy grandmother picks up her two grandchildren from school each weekday and takes them to activities on the weekend. She also attends church on Sundays. She says the Cluster Care team members go above and beyond, helping her get to her car safely when there is snow or ice on the ground.
“We have also created a buddy system with a fellow resident who we know is always up and out early,” says Knickolle. “That resident is now making certain that the snow is removed from her car because with the limitations to her mobility, she is unable to complete that process herself.”
With the help of Cluster Care programming, the client has gotten to know a lot of other residents in her building. “With the programs on offer, you get to meet new people. And I try and remember people's names, so that when I see them in the hall or in another activity, I can say hello to them. I’ve met a lot of people that I wouldn’t normally meet.”
Participating in group exercises through VON’s SMART exercise program is another highlight for her. “It’s like chair yoga,” she explains. “It reminds me that I should do my own little exercises at home too. So, it's kept me motivated to do what I call my ‘baby’ exercises on the bed, just strengthening muscles and making sure that I'm moving everything that still does work.”
The client says the supports provided through Cluster Care have also helped to ease the concerns of her daughter, a busy mom of two young children who works full-time. “I think she quite likes the fact that I'll go down to do a craft, or I'll go down to do painting, and she's happy that I'm going to do those things.”
Feedback shows Cluster Care has created a sense of safety
The client’s experience aligns with the feedback VON has received from other clients of the Cluster Care program. “Having an on-site team available five days per week at Cluster Care has created a sense of safety for seniors living in the two low-income public housing buildings VON serves,” says Lori Snow, Project Coordinator.
Over 90% live alone and, since receiving VON Cluster Care services, 80% report that they strongly agree or agree that they feel they are able to remain independent and in their own home. In addition, patient-reported outcomes during individual assessments show a 10% decrease in history of falls or near-falls in the last 90 days before Cluster Care and after 12 months.
About Cluster Care:
The Cluster Care program, funded with a grant from Nova Scotia’s Department of Seniors and Long-term Care, sees VON teams deliver group and individual supports to seniors in public housing settings to support independence and increased quality of life.
Read more stories about Cluster Care:
Program Profile: innovative Cluster Care pilot supports independence for older adults in Nova Scotia:
SMART program increasing confidence for Cluster Care clients:
https://von.ca/en/news/smart-program-increasing-confidence-cluster-care-clients
