SENIORS OUTREACH ACTIVITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
Picture a Senior on “WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE” and the question is:
For Your Own Sanity - While in Quarantine, TODAY, WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK IS IT?
a. Monday
b. Wednesday
c. 2025
d. May 25 Re-launch day
1. LOW-INCOME SENIORS FROZEN MEALS ON WHEELS/PERSONAL ITEMS FUNDING/DELIVERY
In order to support low-income seniors in Kneehill County, Seniors Outreach has extended our Frozen Meals On Wheels program and just recently received some Federal Funding through the Government of Program Canada New Horizon for Seniors. The funding is limited, however, it will provide some support for Frozen Meals on Wheels and for the purchase of some personal items as needed by those who are at a low-income level.
Please phone Seniors Outreach at 403-443-2555 or from the Carbon area 1-888-443-2555 to inquire about ordering/having delivered frozen meals on wheels. The upcoming dates that will have some support are as follows:
Order dates in 2020
May 25 (no later than 10:00 a.m.) June 8 (no later than 10:00 a.m.) June 22 (no later than 10:00 a.m.)
Delivery dates in 2020
June 2 (in the afternoon)
June 16 (in the afternoon)
June 30 (in the afternoon)
Follow this column for further order dates/delivery dates into July and August as funds are available.
Anyone who is not at a low-income level to be supported may still order/have delivered frozen meals on wheels in Kneehill County, however in these cases we require the orders to be paid in full/arranged for before the order is sent in.
Both the low-income and the regular Frozen Meals on Wheels deliveries are done by Seniors Outreach and/or community volunteers. We are extremely grateful for their willingness to do these deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic. They will not bring the frozen meals and/or personal items into your home but will knock/ring your doorbell and leave the food at the front door (checking that you have come to the door to retrieve it before leaving).
This is a limited time support for those who are at a low-income level and are 65 years of age and over. We wish to provide this support throughout Kneehill County during this difficult time.
2. ONE-TIME OAS AND GIS FINANCIAL SUPPORT
A ONE-TIME additional Financial Support from the Government of Canada for Seniors who are receiving Old Age Security (OAS) Pension (a one-time tax-free payment of $300) and an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Please make sure that you complete your income tax as soon as possible so as not to have your pensions compromised. Presently there is no indication when this payment will be made. Quite possibly it may be included in your end of the month direct deposits as part of CANADA OAS on
May 27 or June 26 or as late as July 29/2020. the best guesstimates.
3. “RE-LAUNCH” – ALBERTA and SENIORS OUTREACH
What does “Re-Launch” mean for seniors in Alberta? Little has changed in terms of social distancing, cleanliness, screening for symptoms, personal protective equipment and being responsible when going out. As some businesses and offices open up as part of the re-launch in Alberta, Seniors are still most in jeopardy of catching COVID-19.
Be Kind to Others/Be Safe in Re-Launched situations/businesses/offices: The following practices continue to be important!
a. Social Distancing – be directional in how you enter and leave a building/office. KEEP 2 METRES between you and the next person. There will usually be limited numbers allowed in to a building. Limited numbers may be allowed in an office within a building. In this case there may be marked seating or waiting places until called to come in. DO NOT simply rush in to a building because you are there.
b. Cleaning – Use as limited doors, chairs, pens, items in an office. Cleaning will need to be done on what you use.
c. Personal Protective Equipment – Masks and/or Gloves may need to be used when there is a strong possibility of less than 2 metres distance between people. Bring your own masks/gloves.
d. Washing of hands/Hand Sanitizer use – As hand sanitizer is available, please use it as you enter a building/office and as you leave the building/office. Wherever/Whenever possible, do hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
Until further notice, Seniors Outreach encourages our Seniors, as much as possible, PLEASE STAY HOME. We will have some further activities available over the next few days and weeks as Alberta STARTS removing restrictions. However, as stated above, continue to practice PHYSICAL DISTANCING OF AT LEAST 2 METERS. Please continue to Practice FREQUENT HAND WASHING or SANITIZING and WIPE DOWN ITEMS that you have been in contact with – before and after usage. Be safe and keep others safe as well.
The present situation continues to still be quite changeable, however, Seniors Outreach will continue to take phone calls/emails in order to set up deliveries where possible, answer questions, and even assist with forms. You are also welcome to email us at office@seniorso.ca. We will provide support where possible. Please Call 403-443-2555 or from Carbon and area 1-888-443-2555 (toll free) for any assistance.
REMINDERS: UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:
1. The Provincial Building in Three Hills continues to be LOCKED. However, in the next 2 weeks there may be some change to this. At present, the SENIORS OUTREACH MAIN OFFICE in that building continues to be staffed and to take calls between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (Mondays to Thursdays). Limited admittance may occur, if absolutely necessary.
2. MEALS ON WHEELS AND FROZEN MEALS ON WHEELS are still available. Contact us for the frozen meals menu/costs and payment before the next order date: Monday, May /25. Delivery for those frozen meals will occur on Tuesday, June 2/20.
3. Delivery driving is available for those who need this support.
4. Extension Offices in Acme, Carbon, Linden, Torrington & Trochu remain CLOSED
5. All BUS RUNS HAVE STOPPED and NO Community Bus runs will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week in Three Hills.
6. The CommUnity Drop-In Centre, Three Hills remains CLOSED.
7. NO BUS TRIPS TO RED DEER are presently planned for May.
Be Encouraged: Telephone - 1-877-JOY4ALL (1-877-569-4255) where teens have come up with stories, jokes, and more for seniors.
Dial #1 for jokes
Dial #2 for today’s story
Dial #3 for today’s poem
Dial #4 for the daily dose of kindness, and
Dial #5 for Listen & Learn.
