On a rainy Saturday afternoon, the Seniors Services Society bus pulls up outside of ABC Country Restaurant in Coquitlam. Thirteen New Westminster seniors head inside. The group chats and laughs at a large table, headed by organizer Tracy McEwen.
McEwen began as a volunteer with the society's Meals on Wheels program and was hired as coordinator of the society's social programs - the dinner, lunch, shopping and Out and About programs - more than two years ago.
"The number 1 point is socialization, to help keep the seniors living independently at home for as long as possible, by keeping socialized and not isolated and sitting at home alone," she says. "Because it seems the mind declines faster, the body declines faster when you're just sitting at home not doing anything."
McEwen calls her support services clients - more than 100 of them - every Monday morning to let them know what's planned for the week and what outings are coming up, she says.
"And I have a personal relationship with every single one of them," she adds.
This is something Theresa, who has attended the program for two or three years, really appreciates.
"Tracy not only remembers everyone's names, but their particular needs, as well," Theresa says. "It's not that she's just an organizer, she's a friend. So she has a lot of friends."
The program provides clients with a good meal as well as company, something that was very important for Marne, who began attending the outings 11 or 12 years ago, she says.
"I went on dialysis, which really slows a person down," she says. "So I was very appreciative that there was a service such as Seniors Services, that would do the supper club and things like that because then I got out and at least I got some good meals, 'cause I live alone."
Marne was on dialysis for seven years and says that during that time, the program "was a godsend."
The Out and About group goes to different events twice a month. They've done Nordic walking up at the Olympic Village in Whistler. They also had floor seats when Celine Dion came to Vancouver, and they attend seasonal and cultural events all year long, from White Christmas at Vancouver's Stanley Theatre to the Ghost Train in Stanley Park.
Participants pay a fee to participate in each event, but the costs are kept low. Ron, who has attended dinners with the group for about 10 years, says he is impressed with the meals they get for $10.
"I really enjoy going out for the dinners, I go out every Wednesday night," he says.
