There can be challenges that seniors face while maintaining their home or when going about day-to-day tasks. Depending on familial, financial, and medical circumstances, sometimes it can be challenging to perform certain tasks at home, or finding new activities to take part in.
This is a range of resources that can serve as a starting point when faced with these situations.
1. Call 211: Calling 211 and directly speaking to a person over the phone can help determine what resources are available based on one’s location and need.
2. Transportation: Sometimes, going to different places can be a challenge. Below are some resources that can help.
a. Edmonton Transit Service: Seniors 65 years of age and older qualify for a reduced rate for day fares and bus passes. There is additional support for seniors such as the DATS Program, which is the ETS’s door-to-door transportation service for those who cannot take regular transit. And when taking regular transit, a senior can ask a driver to stop at a place along the route other than a bus stop.
b. Drive Happiness Volunteer Program: Seniors Assisted Transportation is a registered, not for profit organization providing door-to-door, assisted transportation services to seniors with reduced mobility and who experience barriers in using public transportation. www.drivehappiness.ca is the website and the phone number is 780-424-5438
Directory of Services: There are several directories, both available in print form or digital that provide a comprehensive list of activities, events, and programs. Many are categorized by location and by activity:
a. The Recreation and Wellness Directory for Older Adults can be accessed online at http://www.seniorscouncil.net/uploads/files/ESCCRecWellnessDirectory2017.pdf
b) The Directory of Seniors Services 2017/2018 can be accessed online at https://www.mysage.ca/public/download/documents/44122
Seniors’Centres: There are several seniors centres throughout the city. Below is a quick list:
a) Central: Central Lions Seniors Centre, Edmonton Seniors Centre, Jewish Seniors Citizen’s Centre, Operation Friendship Seniors Socie ty, Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton
b) North Side: Ital Canadian Seniors Centre, Northgate Lions Seniors Recreation Centre, Northwest Edmonton Seniors Society, Edmonton Aboriginal Seniors Centre
c) South Side: Mill Woods Senior and Multicultural Centre, Southeast Edmonton Seniors Association, Southwest Seniors Outreach Society, Southwest Edmonton Seniors Association, Strathcona Place Society, Senior Citizens Opportunity Neighbourhood Association
d) West Side: Westend Seniors Activity Centre
e.). Help at Home: The Edmonton Seniors Home Supports Program is a referral service that gives seniors referrals to vetted service providers who offer snow removal, yard help, housekeeping and minor home repair services. The website to find more information is http://www.seniorshomesupports.com/ and the brochure is https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/documents/SeniorsHomeSupportsProgram.pdf.
One agency from the seniors centre listed above coordinates the service and they are listed below:
a. West -Westend Seniors Activity Centre – 780-483-1209
b. North West- North West Edmonton Seniors Society-780-482-1958
c. North East – North Edmonton Seniors Association – 780-944-7470
d. South East – South East Edmonton Seniors Association – 780-468-1985
e. Mill Woods – Mill Woods Seniors Association – 780-496-2997
f. South West – Southwest Edmonton Seniors Association – 780-860-2931
