The Seniors Outreach services strives to improve the accessibility of existing services to the senior population with the goal of improving quality of life.
By gathering information through home visits and phone calls we are able to assess current needs and make appropriate referrals to other programs and services.
What is an assessment?
The collection of information relating to the senior’s living situation, including their health, transportation, finances, mobility, hearing, and, visual impairments, social connections, as well as their strengths and challenges.
What does St. Aidan’s do with this information?
It is used to gain a full understanding of the senior’s situation so that we can make appropriate referrals to other programs and services in order to meet the identified needs of the seniors. This information is kept private and confidential.
Where do the Seniors Outreach Workers provide services?
Seniors Outreach services can be provided in the senior’s home, in our office, or in the community.
What is Case Management?
The Seniors Outreach Workers can provide ongoing support to those who need it. This is called case management. The support is determined by ongoing assessment of their needs and the client decides what they want assistance with.
Coordination of Services
The Seniors Outreach Worker makes referral to appropriate programs or services. Sometimes they may ask to share relevant information with other professionals, family members or caregivers. This can only be done if the senior gives permission for this to happen.
Voluntary Service
The Seniors Outreach Program is a voluntary service. This means that support is provided only to those who willingly accept our services. Seniors have a right to decline our services.
The Seniors Volunteer Program strives to improve the quality of life for seniors by ensuring community volunteers are available to help support seniors in meeting their needs.
By recruiting, screening, and matching volunteers with seniors in need, we are able to ensure seniors have improved capacity to remain in their homes independently, have decreased social isolation and loneliness, and improved overall health and well-being.
Screening
We require a Criminal Record Check and vulnerable sector check from all volunteers. We also require a 3-year driver’s abstract and proof of valid insurance. Any expenses incurred to acquire these checks will be reimbursed once you are matched. You will be asked to complete an application and provide 2 references. We understand some may be concerned about the length of our screening process. However, please remember our first priority is the safety of our seniors.
Matching
Matching will be based on a number of factors. We consider the Senior and the volunteers’ personality, availability, and interests, hobbies and likes and dislikes. These factors will drive all matches. Whether you have 1 hour a week or 10 hours we have a senior who needs you. One-off opportunities and group/team initiatives are also offered through our volunteer program. Please inquire for more details.
Training
Understanding the aging process and age related issues is important when spending time with seniors. We are committed to providing you the tools that will enhance this experience for both you and the senior. Feedback from volunteers is always considered when devising training opportunities.
Ongoing Support
We have a full time Coordinator available to ensure the success of all matches. Volunteering is both rewarding and challenging and the Volunteer Coordinator is available to help celebrate the successes and help you and your senior navigate the difficulties.
For more information, please
call Carla at 780-743-4370 Ext 4 or fill out the form below to get started today.
You will receive
a response within 3 business days.
By the year 2036, it is projected that there will be over one million seniors (those being 65+).
Nearly one third of those seniors were born outside of Canada. Recent studies indicate that between
4–8% of older adults in Canada are likely to experience abuse in some form.
Elder abuse
often goes unreported due to the complexity that comes with family/living dynamics.
As part of a larger provincial strategy to address Elder Abuse, St. Aidan’s Society was the lead
organization for the Taking Action Against Elder Abuse Coordinated Community Response Grant, which
supported the development or enhancement of coordinated community response models across Alberta.
Through a response model, community and government organizations work together to coordinate supports
and services and increase their capacity to respond to elder abuse.
The Coordinated Community Response Model Working Group in the Regional Municipality of Wood
Buffalo was established in September of 2015. Various organizations who were dealing with
situations of seniors being abused were working independent of each other, and there was no
formalized process or coordination of services.
Community partners were gathered to discuss elder abuse in the region and determine their
commitment to creating a model that would enhance the capacity of the community to meet the
increasing need, and better connect seniors to services and supports, which would prevent abuse
and support a safe and secure community for seniors.
With the region having a lower than average number of seniors, most organizations provide
services to all age groups, as opposed to specialized services for seniors. This created limited
exposure to senior needs, as well as to issues regarding elder abuse and neglect. In order to
provide a fuller understanding of elder abuse and coordinated community response across Alberta
to all partners, information was compiled and provided to the working group in March of
2016.
In May of 2016, the Horse River Wildfire ravaged the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
After a mass evacuation of all residents, re-entry began in mid June of 2016. It became clear
that the partner organizations would require time to re-group as there were major shifts
happening within the non-profit sector to address the needs as a result of the wildfire. For
this reason, the work of the Elder Abuse CCR was put on hold.
In November of 2016, the Working Group was reconvened and the commitment of organizations was
reaffirmed and the work began once again. Major decision-makers from various organizations
assisted in working cooperatively to complete this model. This has resulted in an elder abuse
model, a memorandum of understanding, awareness materials, as well as a handbook. The continued
work on Elder Abuse will be done by St. Aidan’s Society and partners on the Wood Buffalo Elder
Abuse Network (WBEAN).
It is recognized that each of the rural communities within our region is unique and elder abuse
response will need to be determined through conversations in those communities which will be
part of the plan going forward.
For more information
Please contact Pam Burns at 780-743-4370 ext. 2.
Help seniors live fuller, more active and healthier lives.
Help prevent the neglect and abuse of older adults and ensures their protection.
Helps foster seniors inclusion and fights ageism.
Provides equal opportunity for participation in community life.
With this in mind, the St Aidan’s team will work diligently with numerous stakeholders, community and of course older adults, as we strive to establish the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo as an Age Friendly community.
The Age Well at Home (AWAH) Program provides in-home support services to help seniors (60+) remain in their home as long as they are able to. Services may include: light housekeeping, laundry, meal options, some home maintenance, lawn care and snow removal.
The cost of the services is income dependent and charged on a sliding scale. This can be discussed in more detail with the AWAH Link employee. For more information about the AWAH Program please contact: Lisa at 780.743.4370 Ext. 1 or AWAHlinkworker@staidanssociety.ca.
Maybe you’re not sure what services you’re looking for, or you’d simply like to make a referral to one of our programs.
We are here to help. Contact us at 780.743.4370 Ext. 1 or via email at linkworker@staidanssociety.ca.
Charitable Registration #119161750RR0001
Donate today to support seniors in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Endowment Funde-Transfer : info@staidanssociety.ca
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