Hi All,
Please find below Mr. Sather’s Two Minute Statement on the Seniors Outreach Program, delivered in legislature September 2nd, 2009.
2009 Legislative Session: First Session, 39th Parliament
HANSARD
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
official report of
Debates of the Legislative Assembly
(hansard)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Afternoon Sitting
Volume 1, Number 10
SENIORS OUTREACH PROGRAMS IN
MAPLE RIDGE AND PITT MEADOWS
M. Sather: For over 30 years Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Community Services has been helping seniors preserve their independence and well-being by way of the seniors outreach program, which provides indispensable services, enabling seniors to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible.
One of these services is the driver program, a sought-after alternative to taking expensive taxis. By paying an honorarium to a volunteer driver, seniors are whisked to appointments in Maple Ridge or all the way into Vancouver.
Of equal importance is the shopping program, which gives seniors the opportunity to shop for groceries with assistance. In the case of seniors who are unable to leave home, a volunteer will do the shopping for them. This is of particular importance in Maple Ridge, due to a strike closing Extra Foods, an affordable grocery store that is centrally located for seniors use.
Through the handyman program, mechanically inclined seniors are able to give back to their peers by performing maintenance jobs for a very affordable fee. Again, this helps seniors maintain independence.
The visiting program and the Hello program are two other great services. In the visiting program volunteers make regular house calls to seniors who have similar interests. The Hello program provides weekly phone calls to check in and chat with seniors. These programs improve the emotional well-being of home-bound seniors and have proven vital as an emergency check-in.
It is quite evident that the seniors outreach program benefits the most vulnerable, isolated and at-risk seniors in my community. For some seniors, the volunteers may be the only contacts they have. Staff and volunteers are eager to continue providing these valuable services for seniors, but sadly, as of September 30, this program will be terminated in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
