Fraser Valley-based senior Beatrice receiving her groceries from Jim, a volunteer for the local Safe Seniors, Stronger Communities program at Archway Community Services.
Today is National Senior’s Day, a day to celebrate and honour the seniors in our lives – who are our teachers, mentors, neighbours, friends and family members.
Healthy Aging by United Way supports regular programs across BC that help seniors with basic day-to-day tasks so that they can continue to live independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities.
COVID-19 has created additional challenges for seniors who live independently and the people and organizations that support them. In response, the Provincial Ministry of Health, the Office of the Seniors Advocate, the bc211 referral service and the United Way of Lower Mainland joined forces to create Safe Seniors, Strong Communities, a coordinated, province-wide response to the pandemic that’s meant to bolster seniors supports at community service agencies throughout BC.
Safe Seniors, Strong Communities pairs community agencies with volunteers who help seniors with non-medical essentials like grocery shopping and prescription pick-ups, and who take time to have a friendly conversation with folks who are homebound. Social distancing means increased social isolation for many older adults, so this kind of support and kindness can provide a lifeline.
To mark National Seniors Day, here is a real-life Safe Seniors Strong, Communities story to remind us that bright lights continue to exist during these difficult times.
Safe Seniors, Strong Communities – Delivering Help and Hope
Beatrice, a senior from the Fraser Valley, discovered the Safe Seniors, Strong Communities initiative from her local newspaper and got connected to it through Archway Community Services. She found it to be “a lifesaver”. As Beatrice lives independently, she would regularly do her weekly grocery shopping but with COVID that was becoming an increasingly difficult undertaking, often a “day’s work”. With her weekly grocery deliveries, Beatrice has been able to keep safe in the comfort of her own home and community – “I very much appreciate this…it’s too much right now for me and so this helps me with getting groceries and staying home.”
Beatrice also appreciates the friendship she has formed with her grocery delivery volunteer, Jim as he takes great care in ensuring all her specific grocery needs are met and takes the time to connect and chat with her at a safe distance when he delivers the groceries each week.
These seemingly simple acts have a profound impact on the wellbeing of seniors, including easing any feelings of isolation. Community service agencies know, first hand, what kind of positive effect these kinds of connections can have on seniors. It’s a way of telling seniors that ‘we see you, we are here for you, we care for you’.
This is just one example of many from across BC, where Safe Seniors, Strong Communities is making a positive difference. United Way is proud to be part of this initiative.
If you’re homebound and looking for some assistance with basic needs or just want someone to reach out to you for a friendly conversation, dial 2-1-1 and an operator will refer you to a community agency that will connect you to a volunteer. Or you can register for Safe Seniors, Strong Communities at www.bc211.ca.
Topics : Better at Home, COVID19, Healthy Aging, Local love, Seniors, Volunteers
