A real issue for seniors in the province is social isolation, as they have difficulty getting into the community. The Red Cross aims to make the lives of these seniors better with the Friendly Visiting Program, which aims to connect seniors and volunteers to enrich their social lives.
Michelle Smith, Friendly Visiting Coordinator, says that the goal of the program is to reduce the isolation of seniors in the area. By reducing social isolation, it allows seniors to live independently in their own home for longer, and improve their health and wellbeing.
The decision to begin the pilot program in Yorkton was driven by the demographics in the area. There is a large senior population both within the city and in the surrounding rural areas, explains Smith. The goal is to begin in Yorkton, and steadily expand into the surrounding rural areas over the next three years, moving into Melville, Ituna, Preeceville, Norquay, Langenburg and Churchbridge.
“In Yorkton’s Sunrise Health Region, we have the oldest population in the province, so that’s why the pilot initiated here, to address rural needs and concerns.”
What actually happens during a visit depends on the senior and the volunteer, it’s a social call and they can do whatever they enjoy to spend the time. Smith suggests that some people may want to play cards, watch the news or simply chat. She says the goal is interaction, and for volunteers it’s a way to be part of someone’s life.
“The volunteers benefit by having that engagement with seniors, learning about seniors and their lifestyle and the fulfillment of being a part of somebody’s life and helping them remain independent.”
For seniors it means a way to maintain independence and continue to have a social life. While age can make it a challenge to get out and socialize in the community, Smith says that the friendly visiting program aims to remove that challenge.
“We’re bringing the community to them in the comfort of their own home. We have the ability to positively affect their mental health.”
SecurTek is contributing $20,000 to the program, and Darrell Jones, President and CEO of SecurTek says they want to support the safety of area seniors.
“When people are living in isolation, there are issues of safety, so we saw this as something as we could support that was consistent with our values.”
Jones anticipates that SecurTek employees will be part of the program through volunteering as well, as they encourage employees to get involved in the community.
Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit says that supporting organizations like the Red Cross are an important way to meet a community’s needs.
“We find it’s really important to partner with community-based organizations through one way shape or form, whether it’s directly through government, or some of the arm’s length entities of government... This one, focused on seniors especially with our area having such a high senior demographic, it’s really important to pay attention to that.”
The goal is to improve quality of life for seniors, but also keep seniors living independently longer. Ottenbreit says that keeping people healthier longer it improves their quality of life, and also reduces the load on the health care system overall.
The program has been running and successful in other provinces, namely the maritimes and Ontario, but Smith says that this will be the first friendly visiting project in Saskatchewan.
Volunteers will need a criminal record check and a valid first aid certificate. Once screened and trained, they will be placed with one or more seniors. Visits will take face to face or over the phone at least once every two weeks.
Those who want to become a part of the program, whether as a senior or volunteer can call Smith at 306-620-3281 or email [email protected]. Matches will begin in September.
