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 more straightforward information needs of seniors can be addressed by SoS volunteers, in the last few years we have seen a growing need for personalized, one-on-one, ongoing support to address more complex needs and barriers to getting those needs met," said Jarvis, addding that as an extension of SoS to address this, NSCR offers a Social Prescribing Program, matching seniors with community connectors who provide support, advocacy, coaching, resource referrals and compassionate encouragement to enhance health in a holistic way.
"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, including caregiver support, Better at Home, SoS, Social Prescribing, Volunteer North Shore, and community income tax programs. The NSCR team can also provide 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, adding that seniors can directly approach the specific programs or they can come through the SoS line.
“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].
