United Way Halton & Hamilton and Labour Community partners release resource guide to help older adults access local programs and services
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, Halton & Hamilton — On March 22, United Way Halton & Hamilton (UWHH) will host a webinar supporting the launch of a local resource guide for seniors. Caring for Community during COVID-19: Older Adults Resource Guide was created in partnership with UWHH and the Retired Volunteer Labour Leader Committee, with support from the Ontario Federation of Union Retirees and the Canadian Union Retiree Congress. A $25,000 grant through the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program funded the project.
“Seniors in our community have been deeply affected by the pandemic over the past two years. As a high-risk population for COVID-19, many seniors have been isolated, worried about how they will get groceries and other essentials, how they will get to medical appointments, and how they will stay connected with friends and family,” says Brad Park, UWHH president and CEO.
The booklet intendeds to support older adults and their caregivers by providing access to information on programs and services and sharing in the power of storytelling. The guide also includes a supplementary booklet created to assist individuals in keeping track of important information in the case of an emergency.
Resources listed in the guide include emergency and crisis support, social programs, food banks and meal programs, substance abuse support, financial assistance, fitness programs, transportation information and more. The booklet also weaves in stories by local seniors sharing their personal experiences in navigating the pandemic.
“We know that older adults don’t always have the same access to or comfort level with technology, and we also know that, sadly, they are often the target of financial scams or victims of elder abuse,” Park says. “We are grateful to our Labour Community partners and to the Government of Canada for helping us to bring this important new resource for seniors into our community.”
Digital and print versions of Caring for Community during COVID-19 are available to help boost accessibility. Webinar attendees will hear from experts speaking on topics covered in the resource guide, including fraud, community resources and deprescribing. Closed captioning will be available. Printed copies are limited. To place an order, contact labourcommunityservices@uwhh.ca .
Caring for Community during COVID-19 digital booklet available here.
My Personal Record supplement booklet available here.
Did you miss the webinar? You can watch the Caring for Community during COVID-19 panel discussion online here.
Moderator: Brenda Delodder, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, UWHH
Opening Ceremony: Joanne Webb, Hamilton Regional Native Centre Board Member, Retired Labour Activist, Retired Labour Leader Volunteer Council Member
Panelists:
- Camille Gagnon, Assistant Director, Canadian Deprescribing Network
- Adrienne Vickery, Associate Vice President, Business Management Operations and Strategy, TD Canada Trust
- Shawna Mutton, Vice President, Community Impact, UWHH
