June is Seniors Month in Ontario

June is Seniors Month in Ontario. The theme of Seniors Month this year is “Stay safe, active and connected“. While we always cherish our seniors, Seniors Month is a great time to acknowledge, support and celebrate the seniors in your life even more. Take some time from your schedule to help out a senior member of your family, or a senior friend. Prepare a meal and deliver it to a senior, or drop off a little token of appreciation for them.  Assist a senior with small chores like cutting grass, cleaning a garden, painting, etc.

During the pandemic, safety is paramount when it comes to our seniors, who can face serious consequences from COVID-19. While the Provincial Stay-at-Home order forbids gathering with anyone you don’t live with, the health directives do allow you to gather with one other person that lives alone. (Conversely, if you live alone, you can have close contact with only one other household.) If this describes a senior that you know, consider stopping by for a physically-distant visit, inviting them for a walk outdoors, or taking them for a ride if they are in your social bubble. Wear a facemask and stay safe at all times.

We hope the Stay-at-Home order is lifted soon. In the meantime, there are still many ways we can show our seniors how much we appreciate all they’ve contributed to our lives and community!

Seniors and Youth Engagement Project

Dear Seniors!

We’re launching a project to keep life interesting despite the pandemic gathering restrictions.  We are going to pair up volunteer seniors and youth to communicate with each other in creative ways.  This could be by writing to each other on organized topics, completing online puzzles together, talking to each other virtually, or exchanging artwork.  To begin, we’re looking for seniors that are committed to developing a relationship with a youth in grade 7 or 8 from our community.

To keep everyone safe at this time, there will be no in-person visits. Interactions between our seniors and youth will be facilitated by Home and Community Care staff.

Home and Community Care will do all of the preparation and provide participants with any required supplies.

Give our youth the benefit of your life, experience, insight and wisdom!

Interested seniors are asked to please call Norma Tobey at: 519-374-4178, by January 27, 2021.

Apartment for Rent

Are you looking for a place to call home?  The Housing Department has 1 bachelor apartment on the 2nd floor of the Senior Apartment Complex for rent.  If interested, please contact the Housing Department at 519-534-1195 for a rental application.  Applicants must be 50 years old or older to apply.

Mobility for Good for Seniors Program

Indigenous Services Canada has advised that TELUS will be launching their Mobility for Good For Seniors program. This program provides low-income seniors receiving income assistance with access to a free smart phone and a subsidized data plan.

Seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) are eligible for:

  • A free smartphone
  • A $25/month plan that includes unlimited nationwide talk and text and 3GB of data

This offer is contract-free. Seniors who take advantage of the offer can cancel at any time without incurring additional fees.

Application steps:

  1. Send in your Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS) to mobilityforgood@telus.com
  2. TELUS will confirm eligibility and provide a verification code
  3. Activate your offer online at https://www.telus.com, or through TELUS’ call centre at 1-866-558-2273

Learn more at https://www.telus.com/MobilityForGoodSeniors

Seniors – Save the Date!

Community interaction is important for all of us, including our cherished senior residents. We are planning a safe Seniors Dinner and Entertainment Event, to be held on September 24, 2020.

Planning is already well underway. We will post more information on this special day soon!