Many seniors in Calgary suffer from health problems, food insecurity and loneliness, but resources are available to help them during COVID-19.
According to Keith Callbeck, senior manager of marketing and communications at the Kerby Centre for the 55+, the Kerby Centre expanded its programs to serve isolated seniors during the pandemic.
Arlene Adamson, the chief executive officer at Silvera for Seniors, said they “have 400 staff across the organization, and our staff has been following strict protocols to ensure the safety of the seniors.”
“We have an accommodation program for seniors, and they can call Silvera anytime if they need support,” said Adamson.
Adamson said people would get three meals and snacks in the day, and they would be getting life enhancement services to stay healthy.
Lori Paine, chief executive officer at the Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society, said they partnered with ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen to deliver meals to seniors in the community.
“We provide groceries, medications, and meals to the seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Paine.
“We are supporting the Wheels of Hope program that supports senior clients in getting to their cancer treatments,” said Paine.
Paine said they get funding from the government and through foundations, such as the United Way of Calgary.
Paine’s plan is to ensure that the most vulnerable seniors have a quality life and can live independently in the community as they wish.
“We are supporting the Wheels of Hope program that supports senior clients in getting to their cancer treatments,” said Paine.
Paine said they get funding from the government and through foundations, such as the United Way of Calgary.
Peter Molzan, the director of the Kerby Centre, said that “the Kerby Centre is offering support for isolated seniors, and they are delivering meals to older adults who are unable to get out.”
Molzan said their mission is to improve the lives of seniors and help them as much as possible.
Molzan said there is also a tax clinic, and seniors that qualify can get their income taxes done for free.
Barbara Hagen, the senior manager of service and operations at Silvera for Seniors, said that they “have been working proactively with our residents to teach them how to stay safe during the pandemic.”
“I think we have been a voice for seniors in Calgary, and not just the seniors who live with us,” said Hagen.
Charitable organizations are running programs to support seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeannette Provo, the executive director for the Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre, said that they “have 75 volunteers, and we are doing food hampers for those who need food.”
“We have art and fitness classes for seniors, and our mission is to keep older adults active,” said Provo.
Callbeck said they launched the social calling program to connect seniors and volunteers by phone.
Jesseca Hau, the receptionist at the Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society, talks “with seniors over the phone, and I direct them to the right person in the organization for support.”
Callbeck said they currently offer grocery delivery, online programs and shelter for older adults fleeing elder abuse.
David Ghoris, senior director, communications, marketing, and corporate strategy at Bethany Care Society, said that they “focus on serving the needs of seniors with disabilities through innovative programming, including complex dementia care and transitional care programs,”
Non-profit organizations provide resources to thousands of seniors after the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We provided services to 2,000 seniors across the continuum from housing to long-term care,” said Ghoris.
Callbeck said they provide more than 1,000 grocery deliveries to seniors, and distributed 48,000 disposable masks during the first six months of the pandemic.
Michael Procinsky, the outreach social worker at the Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society, said that “our goal is to get supports in place for seniors to keep them independent as long as possible and allows them to be in their own home with as many supports as possible,”
“We continue to build more housing for people to age in their communities, and we want people to come to Silvera for Seniors because of our housing offer offerings,” said Adamson.
