In the early 1980s I was the only person employed at the St. Albert Seniors Club (except for the cleaners). I was the independent living and outreach co-ordinator and I had a great group of volunteers.
I quickly realized through many community contacts and agencies that there were seniors in the community – “shut-ins” they were termed, who did not leave their homes easily and were isolated. I decided we needed to do something about this. There were a group of seniors who volunteered to make calls to these seniors every week but I realized this was only part of the solution. After much research I decided we needed a Social Day Program. This was a place where seniors who did not get out easily would come.
We would arrange transportation, recreation and a lunch. This would break that cycle of loneliness and maybe give some respite to a caregiver. Everyone thought it was a great idea, but of course funds were tight, so I managed to receive help from some service clubs and we ran a pilot project. It was a resounding success. The City of St. Albert decided to give us some support through Family and Community Support Services. Over time we ran the program two days a week.
Sadly I discovered last year the club had decided to close the program down. I heard that there were some seniors who were extremely unhappy with the loss of this program. Yes, I know that at the Sturgeon Hospital there is a day program but it is a medical model and the seniors who went to the club program were not in need of medical monitoring.
Imagine my surprise when in Wednesday’s Gazette (Feb.10) Miss Burnett the seniors’ services co-ordinator has decided to start a “new” program – for isolated seniors. I hope she reads the previous history of the club and learns of what we did back then and what was around until just recently.
Elizabeth Allchin, St. Albert
