Senior Support Services offers a range of programs

Holly Mann, Simcoe Program Manager for Haldimand-Norfolk Community Senior Support Services, stands near the sign at the organization’s Victoria Street location in Simcoe. Senior Support Services offers a number of programs, including Meals on Wheels and transportation to medical appointments, errands, and social visits. Senior Support Services is seeking volunteers to support its many activities.

By Lisa Timpf

Advocate Contributor

In 2021, 32 per cent of Haldimand-Norfolk residents were over 60 years of age.

While that percentage is eye-popping, it’s projected to increase. The median age in the area is 48.8 years, compared to a provincial median age of 40 years.

Part of the reason for that difference, says Holly Mann, Program Manager for the Simcoe office of Haldimand-Norfolk Community Senior Support Services, is that our area is seen as a retirement destination.

Whether for long-term residents or newcomers, Senior Support Services provides a variety of programs for people 60 and over. One of the most popular, Meals on Wheels, is a program that delivers a hot meal to seniors daily. A frozen meal option is also available. Meals are prepared by various facilities in Norfolk, and delivered by volunteers.

Senior Support Services also helps seniors with transportation needs get to medical appointments, errands and shopping, and social activities. An accessible van is available for those who need it due to mobility issues, while other clients are driven to their destination by volunteers.

The Home Maintenance Program acts as a central point linking seniors who need services like cleaning, yard work, or handy-persons with people who provide those services. The Hospice Volunteer Program arranges for specially trained volunteers to spend time with people who are living with life-limiting illnesses, while the Telephone Reassurance Program arranges for daily check-ins with seniors to make sure they are okay.

Diner’s Club runs once per month, aside from July and August. This program offers a family-style meal at the Simcoe Legion, along with entertainment and a speaker.

The “Friendly Visiting” program is a free program that arranges for volunteers to spend time visiting with the client at the client’s home. Mann notes that they could use more volunteers for this program, and adds, “Social contact is important. It helps alleviate isolation and loneliness.” 

Mann says studies have shown that loneliness and isolation can have almost the same negative impact on one’s health as smoking and obesity. Even contact with one person once a day can help with social isolation, a problem that one in four older people experience.

The Adult Day Program specializes in assisting people living with dementias and other progressive illnesses, such as Parkinson’s, MS, Alzheimer’s, physical disabilities, and aphasia. The day program is offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Senior Support Services’ Victoria Street facility in Simcoe. Meals and activities are provided. The program provides a social activity for the clients, while offering a respite for caregivers.

Mann notes that transportation and Meals on Wheels are the most highly-utilized programs. Requests for transportation to medical appointments are prioritized when it comes to assigning resources.

While some programs like Friendly Visiting are free of charge, other programs like Meals on Wheels, Transportation, Diner’s Club, and Adult Day Program carry a fee, albeit a relatively modest one. Though Senior Support Services receives funding from Ontario Health, there are shortfalls that need to be met with fundraising and donations. Fundraising and donations also keep program costs more affordable for the users. 

Right now, Mann says, the organization’s biggest need is for people power. Volunteers are needed for all aspects of their offerings, and she notes that it doesn’t need to be an enormous time commitment.

“Someone can volunteer as much or as little as they like,” she says. “For example, if someone wants to deliver meals a couple of times a month, or provide transportation a couple of times a week, we’d appreciate whatever was offered.”

Volunteers go through an application and interview process and must pass a police check. An orientation is provided prior to assigning volunteer work. Transportation volunteers are reimbursed for mileage.

Those seeking support with transportation, meals, or other requirements can contact Senior Support Services, who will meet with them to assess their needs and see what help can be provided. More information about Senior Support Services, both in terms of accessing services and volunteering, can be found at www.seniorsupport.ca.