HelpAge Canada and its partners are asking people to help make a difference in the life of a senior as part of the RISE – Reach Isolated Seniors Everywhere – awareness campaign.
The idea is that on Sunday, Nov. 6 people will reach out to a senior – a simple act that can brighten their day.
“A million Canadian seniors say they are lonely and have limited social interaction. Fall is a busy time of year with school, work and extracurricular activities filling the calendar, leaving families, friends and neighbours with fewer hours in a day and seniors with more alone time,” said a press release about RISE. “The time change, decreased sunlight and anticipation of a snowy and icy winter can increase a senior’s risk of social isolation and loneliness.”
The RISE Sunday campaign offers some suggestions on how folks can reach out to seniors, whether it’s a parent, a friend, a neighbour or a relative.
“This is a campaign that started back east and they reached out to us. This is the first time we have helped out with this initiative and I think it’s something that we can really build on,” said Brian Dodd, interim executive director of the Seniors Services Society. “A big concern of ours has always been seniors and seniors’ isolation. Isolated seniors can quite often have more health concerns, barriers to accessing things in the community. It can really change their outlook on life. Physical, emotional and mental health issues can develop.”
The Seniors Services Society is suggesting Nov. 6 be a day where people “reach out and touch someone” and check in on somebody, whether it’s a family member, friend or neighbour.
“Maybe there are some folks in your apartment building that you know are elderly and you haven’t seen with a lot of guests. Just knock on the door and introduce yourself, maybe take them a potted plant or something – just make them feel they are connected,” Dodd said. “Even if it’s just to say, ‘Hi, let’s share a coffee or tea sometime.’ Or, ‘Hey, I’m in 2B, make sure if you ever need anything knock on my door.’”
Once the initial contact has been made, people may want to follow up and contact the senior again.
“I think what you are going to find is once you’ve done it once or twice, you’re going to want to keep doing it. You are building relationships,” Dodd said. “At first it’s like a cold call. You are nervous and hesitant to do it, but once you get to know this person you have built a relationship.”
The Seniors Services Society has a number of programs aimed at isolated seniors, including the “friendly phone calls” where volunteers call local seniors to say hello and check in.
“It’s an opportunity to connect to that person. Our phone callers find themselves talking about their pets, their families. Some of them have taken that next step and said, ‘Hey, let’s get together for coffee this afternoon.’ It’s a connection to community and that’s really important,” Dodd said. “This (campaign) is taking it to a new level – it’s encouraging everybody to play a part in that. I think if this catches on, I’m sure it will, I think it’s something that is going to be an important tool for those of us who are working with seniors.”
For more information about the Seniors Services Society, visit www.seniorsservicessociety.ca or call 604-520-6621.
In addition to the Seniors Services Society’s offerings, local seniors who want to get out and connect with others don’t have far to go.
Century House in Moody Park offers a wide range of workshops, clubs and activities appealing to all interests, including bridge, carpet bowling, art, singing, writing, ukulele, crafts and Scrabble. Other clubs include the Parkinson’s Support Group, the Low Vision Group and the Seniors Gay Straight Alliance.
On the emotional health front, Century House offers counselling programs for seniors who are experiencing loneliness, declining health, depression and anxiety, family matters, bereavement and loss and life transitions – issues that may lead to isolation.
For information about Century House’s offerings, visit www.centuryhouseassociation.com or call 604-519-1066.
