Background
The South Side Seniors Community Council in Edmonton, agencies working with seniors on the south side of the city, and seniors residing in the area were looking for strategies to meet the needs of fragile, isolated seniors. The groups realized that the incidence of depression and low self-esteem in this group was increasing. One of the challenges was to find something that these seniors could relate to and felt good about. Staff at Capital Health's Bonnie Doon Public Health Centre identified an opportunity to improve the Health for Two target populations that they work with:

• seniors in the community, especially those experiencing declining health; and
  
• prenatal mothers participating in the Health for Two Program at the Bonnie Doon Health Centre (Health for Two is a prenatal nutrition support program for moms experiencing barriers to optimal prenatal health).

Program History:
Staff at the Boonie Doon Public Health Centre believed that the intergenerational project involving existing untapped community resources would provide opportunities for both seniors and prenatal mothers in the Health for Two program to make healthier lifestyle choices. Staff believed by meeting basic needs and enhancing each individual's sense of value, self-esteem, competence, and confidence healthier lifestyles would be realized.

The concept centered around community members mentoring and supporting each other. Health for Two mothers would feel valued by community members by receiving crafted items (blankets, slippers, mittens, etc.) and supporting opportunities for them to meet some of the basic needs of their family. Seniors would feel valued for their crafted contributions when Health for Two mothers sent thank you letters to the individual crafters. In addition, both groups could establish positive relationships through a mentoring program where seniors would teach Health for Two moms how to knit, crochet, and sew. In return Health for Two moms could craft items for community seniors.

Partnerships were critical to the success of the program. Partners in the program are: Bonnie Doon Public Health Centre, Seniors from the Bonnie Doon community, the South Side Health for Two network, Mill Creek Community Services (City of Edmonton), managers of Bonnie Doon area seniors subsidized housing complexes, Friendship and Caring groups, Y-KNIT (YWCA), and local businesses.

Program Implementation:
Staff at the Bonnie Doon Public Health Centre implemented a number of steps to facilitate the program:

• Starting in the fall of 1997 and continuing through to the present the Great Wool Roundup has been promoted at seniors fairs, flu clinics, community mailouts to churches, pharmacies etc. The purpose has been to find interested knitters or crafters, to recycle the wool people no longer needed, and to promote the Health for Two program and increase community awareness.
  
• The seniors resource nurse (SRN) identified seniors from community and from health clinics who were looking for or needing new goals to replace things they could no longer do, which would lead to increased self-esteem and decreased depression for seniors, and special caring for high risk families.
  
• The Great Wool Roundup provided some of needed wool. A budget was obtained from the Health for Two Network for additional wool. Wool not suitable for baby items due to color, thickness of wool, etc. was donated to the Y-KNIT program (YWCA).
  
• The crafted articles and donated wool were picked up at health clinics or brought to health centre. The items were sorted, bagged and labeled by a volunteer group of seniors.
  
• Quarterly Health For Two baby showers, attended by new moms and crafters, were held at the Bonnie Doon Public Health Centre. South Edmonton Seniors Caring About Seniors transports those seniors needing a ride to the babyshowers.
  
• The seniors resource nurse maintains regular contact with crafters.
  
• A focus group was set up with Health For Two moms to find out what articles they needed and to see they wanted to learn new skills.
  
• Arrangements were made for the intergenerational project to be held at the Bonnie Doon Community Hall starting in June 1998. It has since moved to the Public Health Centre. Seniors teach knitting and quilting to new moms.

Findings:

• Seniors, who can't volunteer in the community due to poorer health, can feel they are helping needy families in a meaningful way by knitting or sewing.
  
• Seniors identify with sewing/knitting/crocheting/quilting, as this has been a life-long skill that they can contribute to society.
  
• Seniors network with seniors in buildings and bring them down to health clinic to talk about intergenerational program - it is another way to access seniors and provide ongoing support.
  
• The nurse is looked to as "one of us" who is easy to approach.
  
• Transportation must be provided for this program to continue.

Sample comments:
"I feel honored that someone would consider picking me up and taking me to baby showers."
"I didn't have anyone who wanted my knitting before."
"I can't believe that someone that doesn't even know me would care about me and my baby."
"I haven't had this much fun in years. Just think, these children are getting designer clothes."