The Seniors Services Society is set to launch a new program in 2013 that will help seniors at home.
The Better at Home program aims to help seniors with simple daily tasks so they can continue living in their own homes. The society has been selected as a lead agency to pilot the Better at Home initiative, which is being funded by the Ministry of Health and managed by the United Way of the Lower Mainland.
Sanjay Gulati, the society's support services manager, said Better at Home is set to be introduced in 60 sites in B.C. in the next three years. New Westminster is one of 18 that have been short-listed for the program at this time.
The Seniors Services Society welcomes volunteers who want to help with services such as light housekeeping and transportation.
"We offer medical transportation to seniors," Gulati said. "We will start offering non-medical transportation as well."
Although there are companies that offer non-medical care to seniors, such as transportation and house cleaning, Gulati said it's not something all seniors can afford.
"It is based on income," he said about the services offered by Better at Home. "There would be three levels of subsidy."
Depending on their incomes, seniors could have 100 per cent, 70 per cent or 30 per cent of the cost of these services covered. The idea isn't to compete with businesses, but to offer a service to seniors who wouldn't otherwise be able to access these services.
The program gets underway with an assessment process, to determine the level of financial support the seniors would receive for the program.
"Some of the services, as the program is designed, will be run through volunteers," Gulati said. "Some of the services will be contracted out."
Anyone interested in volunteering with the Better at Home program or other programs offered by the Seniors Services Society can call 604-520-6621.
www.twitter.com/theresamcmanus
