WE NEED YOUR HELP
Calgary Seniors Resource Society has been mobilizing volunteers to provide essential services to seniors for more than 25 years, and our Seniors Social Supports team is drawing on this depth of experience working with volunteers and senior clients to adapt and respond to the emerging needs.
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As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, many people are asking what they can do to help those most impacted and at highest risk – seniors.
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We have heard from our senior clients that they are concerned about their health. They are concerned about how they can get the day to day items, like food and medications, they depend on. They are concerned about their beloved pets and how they will continue to care for them if they can’t leave their homes, or worse become ill.
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Many seniors are also socially isolated, and often have no one to talk to about their fears and anxieties. This can lead to increased risk of mental illness, including things like depression and even suicide.
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Some seniors have difficultly discerning between real and fake news, and these seniors may need assistance assessing credible information that will keep them healthy and safe.
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As a result, Calgary Seniors has modified 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 described above. Please consider volunteering to support seniors in our community.
Our volunteer programs are listed below with how to apply.
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PRACTICAL
KINDNESS
CAREGIVER
KINDNESS
We are in need of Practical Kindness volunteers who will respond 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 requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis
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We ask that volunteers:​
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have a vehicle that can safely transport a senior client
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demonstrate they have a minimum of $1,000,000 vehicle liability insurance
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be flexible regarding timing and types of requests
We are in need of volunteers to provide companionship to a care recipient allowing a caregiver to have a break.
Volunteers provide support through ongoing short-term requests or a one on one match. Volunteers will also take part in kindness challenges for caregivers like providing resources, dropping off a meal, etc.
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PET
ASSIST
We are in need of volunteers for our Pet Assist program who 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.
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We ask that volunteers:​
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be available 1-2 hours per week
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love animals as well as seniors
FRIENDLY
CHECK-IN
We are in need of volunteers to provide social support via telephone to vulnerable seniors. The program will be open to all seniors who are in need of a reassuring and friendly voice. Volunteers are asked to be in regular phone contact with these seniors to provide social support.
We ask that volunteers:
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be able to provide a minimum 30 minutes of telephone support per week
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be willing to commit to phone calls 2-3 times per week
ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION
We are in need of volunteers to support vulnerable seniors to get to their essential medical appointments.
We ask that volunteers:​
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have a vehicle that can safely transport a senior client
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demonstrate they have a minimum of $1,000,000 vehicle liability insurance
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be available during weekdays
SHOPPING
COMPANION
We are in need of volunteers who can assist seniors with ongoing and short-term support with their grocery shopping, such as purchasing and putting away items, as well as providing companionship.
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We ask that volunteers:
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be available 3-4 hours every two weeks
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have a vehicle that can safely transport a senior client
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demonstrate they have a minimum of $1,000,000 vehicle liability insurance
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be willing to commit to shopping trips once every two weeks for a minimum of six months
HOLIDAY
HELPERS
We are in need of volunteers that can provide Calgary Seniors' clients one-time or short-term assistance with holiday-related tasks, such as wrapping gifts, setting up decorations, or providing phone support. This helps seniors stay independent and brightens up their lives during the holidays.
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We ask that volunteers:​​
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Be flexible regarding timing and types of requests
FRIENDLY
VISITING
We are in need of volunteers that can provide a minimum of 2 hours of visiting with a senior each week. This program helps seniors stay independent by providing the senior with social contact, compassion, and support.
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We ask that volunteers:
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be available for a minimum of two hours per week
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be willing to commit to weekly visits for a minimum of six months
CHEER
We are in need of volunteers to create and send mail for seniors (e.g. letters, holiday cards, birthday cards, etc.)
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We ask that volunteers:
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Be flexible regarding the types of requests
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Provide postage for the mail
Senior's Stories:
"I cannot thank you and the volunteer enough for getting food to me for my little Maui, he was a few weeks without treats or his regular food and I was starting to get really concerned! I've been having to order food for the past few weeks through Sobey's online delivery system and it's been costing me more as I usually shop at Walmart and am a bargain shopper. As a result I've been eating peanut butter and bread mostly. I was saving up to by food for Maui, and I went to order it off of Sobey's website but they gave me a delivery date in nearly three weeks.. I don't know what I would have done without your help. And now I can get back to my normal diet too" - Linda A., 69
"I'm just reaching out because I am all alone and didn't have anyone else to call, I need help" - Jeanette J., 78
"I'm 98 you know, my body doesn't take me very far anymore so I am used to staying home. My hearing is poor but I am lucky to still have my sight so I can still keep up my reading. If I didn't have the volunteer drivers to help me get to my eye injections every few months, I doubt I would still have my sight, I don't even like to think about what that would be like. Thank goodness you're still able to get me there among everything that is going on. You are such wonderful people" - Myrtle M., 98