SOCIAL ISOLATION: Perhaps the core concern as we age is that of Social Isolation. It creeps up on us as we deal with numerous triggers in our life such as children moving away from home to live and work, health issues that arise as we age, deaths of friends and acquaintances, ageism, lacking access to transportation, living with low income, and societal and/or technological challenges that we face in our lives. At the core, there is a tremendous need within us to identify ways to recognize our personal needs for ‘getting out’ and ‘interacting with others’.
How do we continue to live full and meaningful lives? Most importantly, we must recognize some key opportunities and provide ourselves some social ‘time well spent’ by connecting with at least a few others to build relationships – to visit, share time and ideas with, have ‘coffee’ with, play games with, eat with…..
Yes, I did say “eat with”. Food is a great leveller and cause for getting together. As we meet, eat and play with others it enhances our well-being.
Out of this social activity comes the ability and understanding of how important ‘community’ is. Studies have shown that “there is general agreement on the need to recreate a sense of community to encourage interactions and connections among neighbours and the larger community.”
So go “meet, eat, and play games” with others. It provides a great start to overcoming social isolation.
MARCH BUS TRIPS: Call Seniors Outreach (403-443-255) to sign up for these trips:
- Red Deer – Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The cost from Three Hills is $25.
- Cow Patti Senior Brunch Theatre (Lacombe County) – Thursday, March 30, 2023. Show: “Doris and Ivy in the Home”. The cost is $85.
- Calgary Philharmonic Open Rehearsal (Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary)– Friday, March 31, 2023. “Diana Cohen (violin) in Concert” -Cost $25. (You will need to bring a bag lunch or extra $ as the bus will stop for lunch on the way home after the concert)
COMMON SENSE PERSPECTIVE: “As you grow older, you will have more choices. However, you should consider them to be tests since you are expected to say “No” more often.
THE THREE HILLS COMMUNITY DROP-IN CENTRE at 499 – 3rd Ave SE IS OPEN: JOIN US to play pool, card games, scrabble, socialize, etc.!!! [Mondays to Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.] One must continue to sign in to the center providing the date, printed full name, and phone number. The daily charge of $2 is still in effect to play and have coffee or tea. We continue to look for volunteer hosts/hostesses to oversee the Drop-In Centre.
COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT FOR SENIORS: Our Technology/Digital Director is very willing to help you to figure out how your computer/tablet/printer, cell phone, etc. works. Contact Seniors Outreach and we will have him contact you for an appointment.
THE SENIORS OUTREACH OFFICES and CLIENT SERVICES WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPEN BY APPOINTMENT: Please call the following for an appointment: Call 403-443-2555 for the Main Office in Three Hills (Mondays to Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.); Call 403-425-1555 for Kneehill North – Trochu (Tuesdays & Wednesdays) & Torrington (Thursday a.m.); and call 403-412-4195 for Kneehill South –Carbon (Tuesdays) & Acme & Linden (Thursdays).
NOTE: The Kneehill North office in Trochu has changed. New address is Sandy’s Dental Hygiene building – 206 Main Street, Trochu. Office hours (9-4) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays remain the same.
VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE TO BE NEEDED: Seniors Outreach is in need of volunteers across Kneehill County as Meals on Wheels delivery drivers, Caring Car Drivers, Bus Drivers, Hosts/Hostesses (at the Three Hills Drop-In Center). Contact Seniors Outreach if you have some time to volunteer.
THE COMMUNITY BUS RUN in Three Hills: will continue to operate Thursday afternoons. The Three Hills Elks #190 has provided funding for free rides on our bus during these community runs. Please thank them for their generosity. Watch here for notification if we add any weekly community bus runs in the future.
THE SENIORS OUTREACH ‘LARGE PRINT’ 2023 TELEPHONE BOOKS ARE FOR SALE! Call Seniors Outreach at 403-443-2555 (or 1-888-443-2555 from the Carbon area) to pre-order a copy (providing your name and phone number) and we will inform you when your copy is ready for payment and pickup. We are presently updating the book! As this is also a fundraiser for Seniors Outreach, the cost is $10/book -due upon pick up. The books are being updated for 2023 and are almost ready!
MEALS ON WHEELS – FROZEN MEALS: For these meals across Kneehill County, the next Order date is Thursday, March 16, 2023, and the subsequent delivery date will be Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Please contact the Seniors Outreach Main Office to order from the menu and to pay for your order on or before the next order date.
MEALS ON WHEELS – HOT MEALS: Please be aware that you are able to order hot meals for Three Hills/Acme/Linden (deliveries will be at noon hour Mondays through Fridays each week). 1 meal per person per day is delivered and the cost is $11.50/per meal. Please call Seniors Outreach to order the week before requiring the meals.
CARING CARS/WHEELCHAIR BUS USEAGE: For those who need medical appointments, etc. one may call to book Caring Cars or the Wheelchair Bus. Please be respectful of others regarding masking or not masking in our vehicles. As our drivers are volunteers, we will try to find a driver for your day. Asking for a driver within 24 hours of need is often extremely difficult to fulfill. Please call us a few days before you need a driver. Thank you.
SENIORS OUTREACH IS ON FACEBOOK! If you are already on Facebook simply enter Seniors Outreach Kneehill County and if you want to link to Facebook use: https://www.facebook.com/SeniorsOutreach Kneehill. Let us know how this is working for you! Do check Facebook for updates and announcements and please post us or provide feedback about your Facebook experience!
Please pay attention to The Capital, the Seniors Outreach Website at www.seniorso.ca, or our Facebook page for further information and/or changes to our operations.
