Make Seniors a part of your Family!

One of the biggest challenges that is faced by the senior population is that of loneliness. Many seniors across the country turn to long-term care facilities to meet for their care. As many as 1.4 million Canadian seniors report feeling lonely, according to recent data from Statistics Canada (‘Be A Santa to a Senior’- CBC, 2018). Several organizations have launched initiatives to help out the seniors including providing gifts to them during their lonely times. One such program or initiative in Windsor-Essex is called the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program. Under this initiative, gifts are delivered to the seniors as part of helping to enjoy the holiday season and overcome the feeling of loneliness. Some other organizations have gone a step further in their initiative to help out the seniors. Calgary for example has a program called “Adopt a Grandparent Cheer Up” whereby volunteers from a group of deliver Christmas stockings full of goodies, along with the invaluable gift of a little holiday companionship (‘Isolated Seniors’ – CBC, 2015). More Canadians are over the age of 65 than under 14 — a profound demographic change that is creating significant challenges for the country’s finances and affecting Canada’s economy (Senate of Canada, 2017). Currently there is no policy per say as it relates to adopting a senior, however, as can be seen several organizations make effort to feel seniors feel at home. Volunteering to spend time with seniors is the best way to ensure that they feel at home, while you may make a friend in the process too. As the Government of Canada works to formulate a national seniors strategy, every effort must be made at grassroots level also to ensure that seniors are made to feel like family. Private home healthcare providers have an important role in this respect as they are the main connection between individuals looking to connect with seniors whether it is through volunteering work, employment, or just enjoy the company of the elderly and the seniors themselves who would love to have someone to connect with on a daily basis!

References:

‘Be A Santa to a Senior’ Delivering Gifts to People Who Experience Holiday    Loneliness.” CBC, 12 Nov. 2018, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/be-a-santa-to-a-senior-windsor-tecumseh-1.4899978. Accessed 10 Feb. 2020.

“Isolated Seniors Get Holiday Visits Via ‘Adopt A Grandparent’ | CBC News”. CBC, 2015, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/adopt-a-grandparent-calgary-christmas-cheer-1.3337091. Accessed 10 Feb 2020.

“Senate Of Canada – National Seniors Strategy Will Help Canada Manage Its Aging Population”. Senate Of Canada, 2017, https://sencanada.ca/en/newsroom/national-seniors-strategy-will-help-canada-manage-its-aging-population/. Accessed 2 Feb 2020.