As the population ages, more seniors are living independently in the community. WISE aims to help seniors obtain information about health and wellness, link to community and support services, and cope with the changes associated with aging. The goal of the WISE program is to optimize the quality of life for seniors living in the community.

WISE stands for Wellness for Independent SEniors.

• Wellness - WISE focuses on the goals of health and wellness for seniors.
• Independent - All adults over the age of 60, who live independently in the community, are eligible to participate in the WISE program.
• SEniors - By the year 2031, the number of seniors aged 65 and over will rise significantly, increasing from 12.8 per cent of the population in 2004 to 22.2 per cent in 2031.

Mission Statement:
Promoting the health and wellness of older adults living independently in the community.

The WISE team is a multidisciplinary team made up of the following health professionals:

• dietitian
• occupational therapist
• physiotherapist
• social worker

Our program aims to:

• Provide support and counselling to older adults and their families
• Offer suggestions to improve our clients' physical and mental health
• Educate seniors about community resources and healthy lifestyle choices
• Help seniors and their families plan for future care-related needs

WISE offers the following services:

• One-to-one assessment and consultation by the multidisciplinary team
• A community health-and-wellness group that offers interactive workshops. The workshops will be facilitated by a representative of each health discipline involved in the WISE team
• Counselling to help caregivers cope with the challenges they face providing care

How WISE Works

• The WISE team at Women's College Hospital assesses each client.
• We make recommendations to the client during a follow-up visit. These recommendations are based on goals identified in collaboration with the client, his or her family and the WISE team.
• We provide each client's family doctor with a formal report. This report includes the results of any assessments and the recommendations from the WISE team.

Eligibility
You are eligible to participate in the WISE program if you are 60 years of age or older, and experiencing changes in your ability to function, due to:

• recent falls
• changes in memory
• nutritional concerns (such as sudden weight loss or restricted diets)

Referral
You must be referred to the WISE program by a physician.