Funds to help seniors during pandemic
Funds to help seniors during pandemic
Delivery services, Virtual fitness classes, phone check-ins, grocery gift cards, computer training
By Irish Mae Silvestre
The Philippine Reporter
Six months after the pandemic shut down businesses, reopening efforts have seen Canadians slowly emerging from their homes. But as the population that’s most vulnerable to COVID-19, most seniors continue to isolate in their homes especially as the number of positive cases in many provinces continues to rise.
The government announced that organizations can receive up to $25,000 from the $20 million funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), a federal grants and contributions program. In addition, the government provided $9 million to United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC) to provide essential services. From virtual classes to medicine delivery services, the new initiative aims to improve seniors’ health and well-being.
“With this additional funding, we are helping ensure seniors in as many communities as possible across Canada get support and stay connected during the pandemic,” said Minister of Seniors Deb Schulte.
Programs will include classes on computer literacy, regular monitoring of seniors by phone or videoconference, as well as virtual fitness classes. Training programs will include disease prevention and proper use of personal protective equipment. Services will also be available for seniors in need of assistance with essential activities like doctor visits.
Organizations that previously applied for funding from 2019 to 2020 were approached to prevent delays in funding distribution. “We want to help seniors across the country as quickly as possible,” said Schulte. “We cannot allow physical distancing to become social distancing.”
A welcome initiative
These grants can certainly help members of organizations like Kababayan Multicultural Centre. The pandemic has greatly impacted their senior programs, which were mostly run by senior volunteers. Additional funding will allow them to hire staff to assist seniors.
“Programs are supposed to be done by seniors [as part of] their volunteer work so that they’re busy as well but with this pandemic it’s harder for them to go out and mingle with people,” said Flordeliz Dandal, executive director of Kababayan. “So it’s better at least that there’s an honorarium or any compensation for volunteers.”
Dandal has been at the helm of outreach programs after the pandemic forced their centres to close. In addition to videoconferencing with members and phone check-ins, they’ve also teamed up with United Way, Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC) and Second Harvest to provide seniors, families and newcomers with $50 and $75 grocery gift cards.
“Anything related to the food security of the seniors… is a good initiative,” said Dandal.
She said that many seniors felt isolated in the earlier stages of the pandemic.
“They were really afraid to go out or even buy their groceries,” she said. “Now that it’s brighter in the summer, they’ve started to at least go out and buy groceries.”
The challenges
While organization leaders like Dandal appreciate government efforts, they still face a lot of challenges.
“There are so many programs that need to be created,” she said. “The problem with programs is the participation of those who should be engaged in the program.”
For example, virtual fitness classes would be a challenge for seniors who don’t own computers, smartphones, tablets or iPads.
Aguido Dela Cruz, president of senior organization at Kababayan, is concerned that members are growing bored and restless.
“We offered computer training and some participated but not all of them since they’re not equipped,” he said. “I tell them, ‘You have to learn so you can speak to people back home.’”
During winter, many Filipino-Canadian seniors often return to the Philippines or visit their children in places with milder winters. Dela Cruz especially worries now that traveling isn’t a viable option for many.
“There should be talks on how to cope with winter,” he said. “Preventive and specific topics like how to prevent falling or slipping.”
While the government programs are certainly welcome, Tony A. San Juan, Chair of the Filipino Heritage Council of Canada, believes there are other ways to assist the growing senior population. He suggests providing funds directly to seniors who live alone or those with families who care for them.
“In lieu of giving the pandemic grants to would-be agency providers it will be advantageous and helpful if the budget – one-time or not – is directly distributed to all seniors,” said San Juan. “In that way or through CRA (tax credits), all qualified or eligible seniors, especially the impoverished seniors who have less or no pension at all, will benefit.”
He said providing the funds directly would allow them to shop for essentials like food, vitamins and medicine, as well as buy medical assistive devices or personal computers.
“In this scenario no one is left behind,” he said.
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