If you have any questions at all about anything related to seniors life on the North Shore, there’s one spot to go to get you pointed in the right direction.
Seniors One Stop (SoS), run by North Shore Community Resources, is a “first line” contact where seniors can call or walk in with any questions or concerns to be directed to the appropriate resources or programs. Those suggested answers might come from within NSCR, which has been around for almost 50 years, or externally.
“We work to support seniors and caregivers to age with dignity and independence, with overall wellness,” said Anne-Marie Jamin, manager of community engagement and seniors programs at NSCR.
SoS has been around for more than 30 years and is primarily staffed by volunteers, mostly seniors themselves. Using SoS, seniors can ask about a wide range of topics, including financial programs that can benefit them, transportation options, affordable and healthy meal options, and specific concerns related to their day-to-day lives.
“SoS enables seniors to call to get somebody to help them navigate and find help where they are at,” said Kathy Jarvis, co-ordinator of NSCR’s SoS and Seniors Community Connector Program. While the simple information needs of seniors can be addressed by volunteers, for more complex matters and needs, ongoing support is provided.
“The needs have become so great in present times, and people were having a hard time navigating the support that was available in the community, so we had to make this organic expansion to the services offered,” said Jarvis. Today, Jarvis noted, six distinct programs for seniors and community engagement are offered.
The NSCR team can provide caregiver support, free income tax assistance, a better at-home program, social prescribing, and legal services, as well as child and family support to deliver comprehensive care that meets a wide range of community needs.
Jarvis clarified that SoS is not the only access point to the plethora of services offered to seniors.
“Seniors One Stop is not the only way,” she said. “Seniors can directly approach the specific programs, or they can come through the SoS line.”
Giving an example, Jarvis said NSCR has expanded related programs that serve seniors, such as Better at Home, to include non-medical services, including grocery shopping and delivery, prescription pickup, friendly phone check-ins, lawn maintenance, meal delivery, and assistance with medical appointments. Each of these services can be reached by calling the SoS or the Better at Home program specifically.
“SoS works in and around and within and is indeed a wrap-around support for seniors, caregivers and parents who have to balance needs of their children and elderly parents to come in and just see the breadth of available support across the lifespan,” said Jarvis, adding that the aim for the future is continue to grow the SoS program so they can reach even more seniors, including those who may not be fluent in English.
“We are very keen to expand not only to meet people where they’re at and serve them holistically, but also to provide our support in their language,” she said.
To access Seniors One Stop, call 604-982-3302 or email [email protected]. For more information visit seniors.nscr.ca/seniors-one-stop.
Shobana Shanmugasamy is a student intern reporting for the North Shore News. She can be reached at [email protected].
