Seniors helping Seniors

The Seniors Helping Seniors Program is an initiative of the CISS (Cortes Island Seniors Society). The objective of the program is to promote the ongoing involvement of seniors in our community, and to reduce unwanted social isolation. There are many seniors on the island that have difficulty driving, or don't drive at all. As a result they stay at home and sometimes don't see anyone for days. They could use a hand, a visit, conversations and a laugh or someone to share a meal with. Some seniors need to go shopping in town, or get to doctor or hospital appointments etc. It is a day outing they cannot do on their own. Others need to get to our Health Centre for appointments, need some help when they get home from the hospital after an operation, and some caregivers need respite. This program is funded by fundraising, government grants and donations from community members.

Those who will benefit from SHS are seniors (50 and up), especially those over 70, and particularly those that are shut in, isolated, have minimal support, are recovering from recent operations, have recently lost a spouse or caregiver, or who are chronically ill.
We try to keep our elderly seniors healthy and engaged.

Our volunteers provide a network of:

• Company
• Transportation
• Social outings
• Respite care
• Weekly lunches
• Accompaniment to community activities
• Reading to the visually challenged
• Education afternoons
• Information & Contact numbers
• Practical assistance (that is not covered by other organizations)

We try and keep up to date with the seniors on Cortes, either newly arrived, or longer term, who may be in need of contacts, or who are unsure of how to start participating in the community. We also organize activities (like swimming twice a month, lunches, xmas decorations, Spanish Classes, Health Talks, etc.) and courses for healthy, active seniors, so that while participating in the seniors' community, they become familiar with what our program offers & meet people that are benefiting from our program. We hope that this will promote communication and contact between all senior members of this community, as participants, volunteers and recipients of our service.
We believe that the entire community benefits from the elders interacting and contributing in social situations; family caregivers gain respite; the skills and experience of the seniors benefit others, and in turn for some it reduces their own tendency to become isolated.

Our monthly newsletter is distributed to all CISS members. It lists activities in a monthly calendar, and provides news, health updates, and stories. Atthis time Catherine Bushe is filling in as coordinator. You can reach her at 250-935-0205