National PSA featuring "Charlie Farquharson" uses humour to tackle issue

VANCOUVER - A recent IPSOS-Reid survey commissioned by the BC Institute of Technology's Living Laboratory, found that seven-in-ten Canadian seniors report having a mobility or health issue that reduces their quality of life due to a physical limitation and that in many cases increases their risk of falling. However, 46 per cent of them do not use an assistive device (cane, walker, scooter, etc).

Most notably, while 96 per cent of all seniors surveyed felt that assistive devices (ADs) are a good way to prevent falls, the majority (63%) of those who reported having a fall in the past year (20%) do not use an AD. Falls are known to reduce life expectancy for seniors by 25 per cent and cost the Canadian health care system an estimated $1 billion annually (Public Health Agency of Canada).

The results reveal there is a significant discrepancy between seniors' need to adopt ADs when early warning signs appear and their willingness to do so.

"In our work with seniors, we've observed that they often delay using assistive devices too long even when it is clear that they need them because they fear the device will stigmatize them as being old and vulnerable," affirms Christine Flegal, Research Head, BCIT Living Laboratory.

The survey indicated that two-thirds of seniors believe AD usage is a threat to their security. However, according to Statistics Canada, seniors are in fact, the least likely to be targeted for crime. In 2004, 9.5 per cent in the 65-plus population as opposed to 28 per cent in the 15 to 24 years of age population were victims of at least one reported crime.

A third of seniors also believe that using ADs makes them appear "old and frail", and indicates that they are "losing their independence". Even among those seniors who have a medical condition that could affect their mobility, only 25 per cent currently use an AD (20% of the overall Canadian senior population).

To combat the stigma seniors feel about AD usage, BCIT's Living Lab is launching this month a new 30-second Public Service Announcement featuring one of Canada's most recognized and beloved seniors, Don Harron in character as his alter-ego "Charlie Farquharson". Made famous on the long-running US Television show "Hee Haw", Charlie's appeal is strong with this audience and he delivers to fellow seniors a 'tough love' message with humour intended to help keep them mobile, independent and safe. The PSA also offers a free phone number (1-888-441-0771) and a web site where seniors and their families can access more information. It is www.bcit.ca/mobility.

"We wanted to tackle this problem head-on by enlisting the help of a well-known senior who can bring the topic of stigma out into the open," said Flegal. "Using Charlie's 'tough love' message delivered with humour, the goal of this campaign is to help seniors access the right information and most importantly to help them embrace their age and take the necessary steps to maintain their independence, safety and quality of life for as long as possible."

Flegal, a gerontologist is visiting the following cities to talk about the Mobility: Now you're going places program and the PSA:

March 23 & 24 - Toronto Christine Flegal with Don Harron March 25 & 26 - Halifax Christine Flegal March 30 & 31 - Vancouver & Victoria Christine Flegal with Don Harron

The survey of 1,000 Canadian seniors outside Quebec aged 70 plus was conducted in January 2009 to determine what key motivators and barriers prevent seniors from using assistive devices (ADs). The margin of error is +/- 3.10 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The survey assessed seniors' current perception of ADs, while also measuring the current incidence of AD usage among seniors. While the survey targeted seniors 70 years old and older, anyone 65 years of age and older is considered to be a "senior".

BCIT's Dr. Tong Louie Living Laboratory is dedicated to applied research and development of environments and products that promote independent living for elderly and disabled populations. The Lab is a large open facility resembling a movie set which allows researchers to simulate any built environment, from an entire home or workplace, to multiple examples of a single space. Healthcare professionals, manufacturers, inventors, architects and developers of assistive devices, services and environments for elderly and disabled adults can pre-test products, assess designs, and analyze procedures within this unique facility. The Lab was developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University.

The Mobility: Now you're going places project was created by the Living Lab and is supported with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The project includes community workshops, resources and a web site that is dedicated to helping seniors and the caregivers and family who support them in their efforts to stay mobile and safe. For more information, please go to www.bcit.ca/mobility