As the holiday season is ongoing, Foundation AGES announced on December 23 that they have launched a new free online training program titled Sentinelles in Social Geriatrics. The initiative is designed to help members of the public recognize early signs of decline among older adults in their lives and to take preventive action.
The holiday season as a revealing moment
Family gatherings during the holidays often bring renewed attention to the well-being of aging parents or relatives. Changes such as difficulty following conversations, increased repetition, unusual fatigue, poor home maintenance, expired food or memory lapses may become more apparent during visits.
“The holidays are often a revealing moment. You visit a parent you have not seen for a few weeks and notice worrying signs. This can be a source of anxiety for loved ones,” explained Stéphane Lemire, internist-geriatrician and founder of Foundation AGES. “With the Sentinelles training, we want to turn that concern into concrete action. Participants can become allies in supporting the autonomy of their loved ones.”
A free training focused on prevention
Available online at Agirpourbienvieillir.com, the Sentinelles in Social Geriatrics training provides basic knowledge to help distinguish normal aging from signs of pathological decline. Participants learn to identify early indicators of accelerated aging in order to intervene sooner and better support seniors in their environment.
Previously offered in person to nearly 8,000 participants by Foundation AGES teams, the training is now available in an asynchronous online format, allowing more people to access it and complete it at their own pace.
Agirpourbienvieillir.com: a resource hub for healthy aging
Population aging presents a major challenge for the health system and requires collective mobilization across Quebec society. In response, Foundation AGES and its partners developed Agirpourbienvieillir.com, a platform designed to inform, equip and empower seniors and their caregivers.
Developed with expert collaboration, the platform provides accessible, educational and evidence-based information. It is intended to support decision-making and encourage social participation among seniors, without replacing professional medical advice.
The platform was developed with financial support from L’APPUI and the Foundation of the Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec, with additional major partners expected to join in the near future.
Addressing a growing demographic challenge
By 2031, people aged 65 and over are expected to represent 25 percent of Quebec’s population.
“We must stop viewing aging solely through the lens of loss. Seniors possess a quiet strength that society needs,” noted Julia Chabot, geriatrician and President of the Association of Geriatric Physicians of Quebec. “The front line of health care is not the hospital, but well-informed individuals and their support networks.”
Foundation AGES invites seniors, caregivers and community workers to visit Agirpourbienvieillir.com to learn more and begin their journey as Sentinelles.
As the holiday season approaches, the Foundation is also conducting its annual fundraising campaign under the theme “Strong Like Seniors”, with proceeds supporting the continued development of the social geriatrics approach across Quebec.
