Hello and Happy Fall !

Over the summer our Steering Committee has been following and chasing developments in primary care in Ontario. We met with politicians about our nurse practitioner innovation and have been preparing for an event on home care and community support at Abbotsford Seniors Centre in September.

Early this month we attended a retreat with an experienced management consultant in the health field who generously volunteered her time. We will be back to you with some information on our next steps in the incorporation process and how you can help us move our ‘aging in the community’ vision forward.

Here is an update of various activities and volunteer opportunities in central Ottawa:

The Home Care and Community Support Speaker series

The SHIH is hosting an event at the Glebe Seniors Centre (Abbotsford House, 950 Bank St.) on Sept 25 at 1 p.m. We have Peggy Edwards as moderator and two speakers who know the field well. Kevin Babulic is Director of Patient Services, Ontario Health atHome and Amy Boudreau is Vice-President of Strategy, Performance and Partnerships at Carefor. To register to attend in person or on Zoom call 613-230-5730.

Volunteer opportunities at South-east Ottawa Community Health Centre (SEOCHC).

We have been contacted by Ottawa Community Health Centre (SEOCHC) for assistance to attract more volunteers with the following message from their Executive Director: “If you have a few hours wondering how to contribute, volunteering offers many rewards. Volunteers at SEOCHC are welcomed into a warm circle of those who want to improve the aging experience of their neighbours.”

You will be able to contribute as much or as little time as you have available, with a volunteer orientation session of 1.5 hours. (Our orientation sessions are always on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. In English, the 2nd Wednesday is on Zoom, the 4thWednesday is in person. In French, the orientation sessions will be the lst Wednesday on Zoom, the 3rd Wednesday in person.) In this session you will be given the tools you need to feel confident in any of the roles you pursue. A security check will be facilitated by the centre.

Here are some of the ways in which you can help:

Transportation to medical appointments and other medically related needs

You will drive people to important appointments or to shop for specialized medical equipment for a reasonable cost to clients. The normal duration of this activity is about 2 hours and most volunteers are expected to contribute 1 drive per week. Drivers are expected to take clients to appointments only within 30 kilometers of the city centre.

This service will be provided only between 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday so that drivers can call the SEOCHC office in case support is needed. SEOCHC provides mileage reimbursement to drivers at a rate of $0.58/km.

Friendly Visiting

We are hearing more and more about the positive health impact of social interaction. The purpose of this program is to relieve loneliness, to bring friendship, interest and suitable activities to those being visited, and to assist them in using community services, where appropriate. These individuals may be seniors or younger adults who have a physical disability. The visits are in the home of the client or at a mutually agreed upon location. Some clients prefer phone visits. There is a need for bilingual (English and French) men and women for both in-person and phone visits. At the present time we also have an isolated individual who speaks Russian who would benefit from this service.

Handy Helpers

The Handy Helpers Program provides caring volunteers who lend clients a helping hand for periodical, seasonal, or annual one-time tasks and odd jobs. The jobs and tasks vary and every volunteer contributes by bringing a different set of skills to the program.

The volunteer also monitors the well-being and living situation of the client and alerts the Service Coordinator of any changes or concerns in a client’s personal appearance or behaviour and other indicators of health. This information will enable the Coordinators to help clients remain at home.

LunchAbility

The LunchAbility program is a social event that happens once a month at the SEOCHC. It is intended to pull together isolated people in the community and provide a pleasant social experience. Your role could be welcoming participants, assisting participants to find desired location (i.e., meeting spot, bathroom, Para pick-up spot), assisting with meals, helping with the development of activities as requested and general support to the program clients and staff.

Income Tax Volunteer

SEOCHC hosts free in-person tax clinics where volunteers complete income tax and benefit returns for eligible individuals to ensure they receive, or continue to receive, the benefits and credits they are entitled to. The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) has existed since 1971 and is a longstanding partnership between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and community organizations and their volunteers.

The SEOCHC tax clinic is by appointment only and clients drop-off (and pick-up) their document after we complete their income tax. Volunteers can help in different roles such as tax preparer or in a support role to provide general assistance, ensuring that taxpayers have the required paperwork or help in organizing documents. Screeners may also help to ensure taxpayers meet program eligibility criteria. If you have experience completing income tax returns, knowledge of the Canadian income tax system, are a reliable team player with a responsible, friendly and welcoming attitude towards all clients who speak English, French, Arabic, Somalian and many other languages, you are welcome in our SEOCHC volunteer team.’

Other ad hoc opportunities

Tasks ranging from delivery of food hampers, delivery of Christmas baskets/gifts, accompaniments to medical appointments, or the Tel assurance program may also arise. For more information please see: www.seochc.on.ca or contact the volunteer coordinator at (613) 737-5115 ext. 2294 or email volunteer@seochc.on.ca"

3. SAM3 Newsletter (English and French links)

The SHIH is proud to be associated with advancements in technology for aging in place that are being explored by the SAM3 Innovations Hub.

What is the SAM3 National Innovation Hub? To answer that we have pasted the following from their summer 2024 Newsletter

“A collaboration between the Bruyère Research Institute and Carleton University in partnership with AGEWELL bringing together researchers from medicine, health sciences, engineering, industrial design, social work, and other disciplines. In our innovation projects and with industry, healthcare providers, academics, older adults and their families, we co-create, implement and study AgeTech solutions to support a healthy, autonomous, and independent lifestyle for the aging population.”

Website: www.sam3.ca