SENIORS SOCIAL SUPPORTS
As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, Calgary Seniors has modified and adapted its current Seniors Social Support Programs to offer a fast, effective volunteer delivered set of services that will help address some of the most pressing concerns.
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We will continue to take direction from Alberta Health Services. Calgary Seniors is committed to the safety and health of our seniors, volunteers and staff. Risk management strategies are in place to protect people, and will be evolving along with the response plan.
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The following changes have been implemented to help seniors get what they need when they need it:
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We have reduced our program eligibility criteria, specifically removing income as a qualifier, so that we are able to help a more diverse range of seniors during the COVID-19 outbreak
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We have condensed the programs we are offering to make access simpler and response time faster
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We have modified the senior client registration process to make it quick and easy
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We have created a fast track for volunteers which will enable us to organize more people to help more seniors as fast and safely as possible
Please hover over the corresponding Program Information box for client eligibility and referral requirements. To make a client referral, please call 403.266.6200.
Mobile visitors of this webpage may experience trouble viewing each program's description. Please visit our website on a computer or tablet to access full content.
The Essential Transportation program mobilizes volunteers to support vulnerable seniors to get to essential medical appointments only.
Essential Transportation will:
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Triage Appointments on urgency
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Be open for referrals for short term or one time assistance to essential medical appointments (this will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Program Coordinator
ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION
The Essential Transportation program mobilizes volunteers to support vulnerable seniors to get to essential medical appointments only.
Essential Transportation will:
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Triage Appointments on urgency
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Be open for referrals for short term or one time assistance to essential medical appointments (this will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Program Coordinator
ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION
PRACTICAL KINDNESS
The Practical Kindness Program will be responding to miscellaneous requests from vulnerable seniors including:
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One time transportation (urgent but not medical, examples: bank, pharmacy etc.)
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Other urgent requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis
Please note: the Practical Kindness Coordinator will Triage requests based on urgency.
The Practical Kindness Program will be responding to miscellaneous requests from vulnerable seniors including:
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One time transportation (urgent but not medical, examples: bank, pharmacy etc.)
-
Other urgent requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis
Please note: the Practical Kindness Coordinator will Triage requests based on urgency.
PRACTICAL KINDNESS
SHOPPING COMPANION
The Shopping Companion program matches up a volunteer with a senior to help them do their shopping every couple of weeks, including trips to the grocery store. The Shopping Companion program will also provide short term assistance with grocery deliveries for seniors.
The Shopping Companion program matches up a volunteer with a senior to help them do their shopping every couple of weeks, including trips to the grocery store. The Shopping Companion program will also provide short term assistance with grocery deliveries for seniors.
SHOPPING COMPANION
FRIENDLY
CHECK-IN
The Friendly Check-In Program matches volunteers with a senior who they are responsible for checking in with regularly over the phone. The program is also intended to provide some positivity and spread kindness to seniors.
The Friendly Check-In Program matches volunteers with a senior who they are responsible for checking in with regularly over the phone. The program is also intended to provide some positivity and spread kindness to seniors.
FRIENDLY
CHECK-IN
PET
ASSIST
The Pet Assist program will be providing support to vulnerable seniors and their pets including:
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Pet supply deliveries (food etc.)
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Dog walking etc.
The Pet Assist program will be providing support to vulnerable seniors and their pets including:
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Pet supply deliveries (food etc.)
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Dog walking etc.
PET
ASSIST
FRIENDLY
VISITING
The Friendly Visiting program matches volunteers with a senior who they will visit once a week at the seniors home. Matches may choose to do activities or outings together.
The Friendly Visiting program matches volunteers with a senior who they will visit once a week at the seniors home. Matches may choose to do activities or outings together.
FRIENDLY
VISITING
CHEER
In an effort to deliver some joy into the lives of Calgarians, the Cheer Mail program will organize volunteers to send seniors care mail (e.g. letters, cards etc.).
In an effort to deliver some joy into the lives of Calgarians, the Cheer Mail program will organize volunteers to send seniors care mail (e.g. letters, cards etc.).
CHEER
CAREGIVER
KINDNESS
The Caregiver Kindness Program provides caregivers and care recipients with immediate support of a volunteer allowing a caregiver to have a break. Volunteers provide ongoing short term requests and/or a one on one match of a volunteer. Volunteers also take part in kindness challenges for caregivers like providing resources, dropping off a meal, etc.
The Caregiver Kindness Program provides caregivers and care recipients with immediate support of a volunteer allowing a caregiver to have a break. Volunteers provide ongoing short term requests and/or a one on one match of a volunteer. Volunteers also take part in kindness challenges for caregivers like providing resources, dropping off a meal, etc.
CAREGIVER
KINDNESS
HOLIDAY
HELPERS
Our Holiday Helpers program will bring happiness, connection, and holiday spirit to our seniors to prevent further isolation around the holidays. Volunteers will help with one-time or short-term tasks for holidays all year long such as helping seniors decorate, bake or cook with them, take them shopping to buy presents and help with wrapping, etc.
This program will make a huge difference in the lives of our seniors for the holidays.
Our Holiday Helpers program will bring happiness, connection, and holiday spirit to our seniors to prevent further isolation around the holidays. Volunteers will help with one-time or short-term tasks for holidays all year long such as helping seniors decorate, bake or cook with them, take them shopping to buy presents and help with wrapping, etc.
This program will make a huge difference in the lives of our seniors for the holidays.
HOLIDAY
HELPERS
SENIORS CONNECTING SENIORS
Senior Connectors are a network of older adults representing various languages and cultures, helping seniors connect to services in your community. Senior Connectors are also available for presentations and community events.
Senior Connectors are a network of older adults representing various languages and cultures, helping seniors connect to services in your community. Senior Connectors are also available for presentations and community events.
SENIORS CONNECTING SENIORS
IGNITING NEIGHBOURS
for Kind Communities
This program will inspire kindness and increase neighbourhood engagement right where seniors live. This project, in collaboration with others, is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. Watch for more info in the months ahead!
This program will inspire kindness and increase neighbourhood engagement right where seniors live. This project, in collaboration with others, is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. Watch for more info in the months ahead!
IGNITING NEIGHBOURS
for Kind Communities
Polly's Story:
Polly is 74 years old, lives on her own, and recently moved to a new apartment. She was referred to our programs because she needed emergency food delivered to her at home. An urgent request was sent out to Practical Kindness volunteers and right away a volunteer picked it up and made plans with the coordinator to go shopping and deliver the emergency food to her. Due to social distancing, Polly gave the volunteer instructions on how to enter her building and let the volunteer know where they could drop her food off. Even though Polly and the volunteer did not meet in person, this one small act of kindness made a huge difference in Polly’s life!