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WE NEED YOUR HELP

Calgary Seniors Resource Society has been mobilizing volunteers to provide essential services to seniors for more than 25 years, and our Seniors Social Supports team is drawing on this depth of experience working with volunteers and senior clients to adapt and respond to the emerging needs.

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As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, many people are asking what they can do to help those most impacted and at highest risk – seniors.

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We have heard from our senior clients that they are concerned about their health. They are concerned about how they can get the day to day items, like food and medications, they depend on. They are concerned about their beloved pets and how they will continue to care for them if they can’t leave their homes, or worse become ill.

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Many seniors are also socially isolated, and often have no one to talk to about their fears and anxieties. This can lead to increased risk of mental illness, including things like depression and even suicide.

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Some seniors have difficultly discerning between real and fake news, and these seniors may need assistance assessing credible information that will keep them healthy and safe.

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As a result, Calgary Seniors has modified its current Seniors Social Support Programs to offer a fast, effective volunteer delivered set of services that will help address some of the most pressing concerns described above. Please consider volunteering to support seniors in our community. 

ESCORTED TRANSPORTATION

We ask that volunteers:

  • complete a minimum of four drives per month

  • have a vehicle that can safely transport a senior client

  • demonstrate they have a minimum of $1,000,000 vehicle liability insurance

  • be available during weekdays

SHOPPING

COMPANION

We ask that volunteers:

  • be available 3-4 hours every two weeks

  • have a vehicle that can safely transport a senior client 

  • demonstrate they have a minimum of $1,000,000 vehicle liability insurance

  • be willing to commit to shopping trips once every two weeks for a minimum of six months

FRIENDLY

VISITING

We ask that volunteers:

  • be available for a minimum of two hours per week

  • be willing to commit to weekly visits for a minimum of six months

PET

ASSIST

We ask that volunteers:

  • be available 1-2 hours per week

  • be willing to commit to weekly visits for a minimum of six months

  • love animals as well as seniors :)

PRACTICAL

KINDNESS

CARING

COMPANION

We ask that volunteers:

  • complete a minimum of two requests per month

  • demonstrate they have a minimum of $1,000,000 vehicle liability insurance

  • be flexible regarding timing and types of requests

We ask that volunteers:

  • be able to provide two hours of companionship per week 

  • be willing to commit to weekly visits for a minimum of six months

PHONE

FRIENDS

SENIORS CONNECTING SENIORS

We ask that volunteers:

  • be able to provide a minimum 30 minutes of telephone support per week

  • be willing to commit to phone calls 2-3 times per week for a minimum of six months

We are looking for volunteers who:

  • are over the age of 60

  • are culturally diverse

  • speak at least one language other than English

  • can commit to attending one Seniors Connecting Seniors meeting monthly 

Alice and Pauline have been matched for the past ten years.

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They are great friends, and usually go shopping once every two weeks. They also often include going out somewhere for lunch. 

 

Alice and Pauline really enjoy their time together, and have repeatedly been mistaken for mother and daughter (which they love).

Arlene's Friendly Visiting Story

My mother’s passing in December 2013 left a deep void in my life. After much thought I decided to volunteer with Calgary Seniors. My husband and I asked for a senior we could visit every week. Calgary Seniors found us a perfect match in Adoline!

 

We did not know what to expect when we signed up to volunteer, but that decision has changed our lives – a friendship blossomed, and today Adoline has become a valuable member of our family. She has a special place in our hearts and our lives. In addition to our weekly visits, we talk often on the phone. Adoline has endeared herself not only to us, but also to our sons who are especially fond of her and visit with her on occasion.

 

Adoline has some amazing stories. Her memories give us a wonderful insight into a different time and help us understand and appreciate her. She is a remarkable woman – selfless and kind. It is hard to imagine the difference you make in a person’s life but you will be surprised by how much more you get back – and we count Adoline as one of our blessings!

 

Ash (my husband) and I come away from our weekly visits with her feeling like we have learned so much and we continue to learn as we interact with her. I am so glad we decided to volunteer with Calgary Seniors.

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