SENIORS’ WEEK: June 1 – 7 is officially Seniors’ Week in Alberta. Normally, Seniors Outreach would provide a calendar of events for seniors to be involved in. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 Pandemic in play, we are not able to do the socially active Seniors Week activities. We will be providing some mail out information for volunteers and more recent clients at Seniors Outreach. We still Honor you as Seniors in Kneehill County. You are extremely important people. Please find ways to renew your community connections in a safe manner, speak with family/friends, use the computer/telephone sources as possible, and encourage one another. If Seniors Outreach can be of help during this time, please do not hesitate to contact us during our office hours.
LOOK FOR A TRIVIA QUERY NEXT WEDNESDAY (June 3/2020) AND ANSWERS THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY (June 10/2020) AS PART OF SENIORS’ WEEK.
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 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:
June 8 (by 10:00 a.m.)
June 22 (by 10:00 a.m.)
July 6 (by 10:00 a.m.)
Delivery dates:
June 16 (afternoon)
June 30 (afternoon)
July 14 (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 on your door or 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. “RE-LAUNCH” – ALBERTA and SENIORS OUTREACH
Monday, June 1, 2020: Seniors Outreach Main Office in Three Hills will do a limited reopening. There will still be the following Pandemic precautions active:
• Please call 403-443-2555 (Carbon/area 1-888-443-2555) to make an appointment.
• Please park at the West side (main entry area) of the building (128 – 3 Ave South, Three Hills). Enter at the West side front door of the building. One entry door will be open – 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays. Come in through that door, use the available hand sanitizer, and after confirming your appointment, please find a chair and wait to be called. The chairs provided should be six feet/two meters apart from others. We will only entertain three people at a time: one to be met with for their immediate appointment and two in the waiting area of the building. Please be aware that there are other offices in the building, so do sit in the Seniors Outreach area only (area near the entry and north hallway).
• When you leave the building, please follow the hallway to the south end, use the hand sanitizer available and exit at that point. (Hand sanitizer will be available to be used when you enter the building and when you leave the building.)
NOTE: Our reception area will have the metal divider drawn but the staff will be able to converse with you.
Generally, 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.
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 week (by June 1/2020) there will be a change to this. 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 - May 25-28/20.
2. MEALS ON WHEELS AND FROZEN MEALS ON WHEELS are available. Contact us for the frozen meals menu/costs and payment before the next order date: Present order cycle is Orders submitted on Monday, May /25 and Delivery for those frozen meals occurring on Tuesday, June 2/20.
3. Delivery driving is available for those who need this support.
4. Extention 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.
