Social Prescribing for Seniors
Social prescribing is a holistic approach to healthcare where providers refer their clients to non-medical supports in their community - like programs, services, and social activities - to support overall health and wellbeing. This approach recognizes that social connections and access to community resources are key to maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
We offer social prescribing as part of a larger initiative to reduce seniors’ social isolation.
How we offer social prescribing
We partner with community healthcare providers to raise awareness of library resources, and offer formal social prescribing pathways between partners and our library branches. Through our partnerships, we can welcome individuals who may not have otherwise chosen to access the library in pursuit of their wellbeing goals.
Here’s how it works:
- Our community healthcare partner identifies client needs and provides a social prescription referral to a library program and/or service.
- When a client arrives at the library with a prescription, staff connect the client to relevant programs and/or services.
We are currently in the pilot phase of our social prescribing initiative working with designated branches and identified community healthcare partners.
Visiting the library without a social prescription
While TPL only accepts social prescriptions from community partners, all seniors are invited to explore new interests, build skills, and stay connected. You do not need a prescription to visit the library and explore everything the library has to offer. From book clubs, arts and crafts, financial literacy sessions, and one-on-one technology help, there are many opportunities at branches across the city.
To find out more about what is available for seniors in your neighbourhood, speak to staff at your local branch or visit our programs page.
Additional Resources
Social prescribing is expanding across many community and health organizations at municipal and provincial levels in Canada and beyond.
Whether you’re a senior, a healthcare provider or simply curious to know more about the impact that social prescribing and social connection can have, we recommend the following resources:
- Social and Community Connection Booklist: Social connection is essential to our overall health and wellbeing. Explore TPL's curated booklist on all things connection - from the science and history of social connection, to how communities and public spaces can facilitate connection, to tips and tricks on how to create better connections with others.
- Finding Connection Close to Home (video): Scientists at Women's College Hospital discuss the effects of loneliness and practical tips for more connection in our communities.
- Fostering Connection Through Social Prescribing (video): Dr. Kate Mulligan discusses the significance of social connection and how social prescribing is helping people find community and belonging.
- City of Toronto Seniors Services: Visit City of Toronto’s Seniors Services webpage to learn more about what the City has to offer.
- Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing: The Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing (CISP) is a national collaborative that works with stakeholders across the country to connect people and practices, foster knowledge, build evidence, and influence policies to strengthen health and community care systems.
- The Allliance for Healthier Communities: The Alliance for Healthier Communities is the voice of a vibrant network of community-governed primary health care organizations. Alliance members serve diverse communities across the province, and they are rooted in the communities they serve. They share a commitment to advancing health equity through the delivery of comprehensive primary health care.
Contact us
To find out more about social prescribing at Toronto Public Library, email socialprescribing@tpl.ca.
Our donors
Lead Donor:
Waltons Trust
Supporting Donors:
Azrieli Foundation
Bennett Family Foundation
Estate of Claudia Krawchuk
The McLean Foundation
The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation