HEALTH INFORMATION – Phone 811
Common Questions and Answers About COVID-19 for Older Adults and People with Chronic Health Conditions
– From the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, this guide should be a go-to resource for seniors who have questions about covid, including its prevention, emergency warning signs, and treatment.
Seniors’ COVID-19 vaccine consumer guide
– This article gives a great overview about the vaccine options. The bottom line: every adult should get one as soon as possible.
Staying Fit While Staying Home: Exercise for Seniors in Quarantine
– It’s important for all of us to try to stay active for the sake of our physical and mental health, even if we’re homebound. The ideas and resources in this article offer great suggestions for seniors of all ages and abilities.
Mental Health and Coping during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
(https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/mental-health-and-coping/index.html) –
During a crisis, it’s more important than ever to take care of mental health concerns, especially considering how much our emotional health may be impacted in such strange times. This guide will help seniors and others cope with stress, grief, and more during covid.
Socializing in Place: Tips for Older People to Stay Connected and Safe
– Social isolation is a bigger concern for home-based seniors than ever. These great tips offer ideas on how older adults can stay connected while remaining socially distant from their loved ones.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FEDERAL PROGRAMS
– NEW HORIZONS -New Horizons for Seniors Program – Community-based projects
– Canada Heritage – Canada Day and Multicultural grants for programs
– United Way
Financial help for older adults
(https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/older-adults/) –
This guide from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers an overview of assistance options for seniors who have experienced financial hardship during the pandemic. It also provides links for further reading on topics like financial planning and fraud prevention.
Reverse Mortgage Calculator
(https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/calcs/reverse-mortgage.php) –
Many seniors are looking into reverse mortgages to help them free up funds for living expenses or healthcare costs, but it’s important to know what they involve so you can decide if they’re right for you. This tool explains in detail what a reverse mortgage is and helps you calculate what yours could be.
CRA CERS Covid PROGRAM for Non-profit Organizations
Contact – CRA 1 – 800 – 959 – 5525
Seniors Clubs may qualify for a subsidy. Legal documents are required. An application form needs to be filled. This requires a comparison of revenue for the years 2019 and 2020.
PROVINCIAL PROGRAMS
– Ministry of Health
– SLGA
– COMMUNITY Initiative Fund CIF
– Saskpower, SaskEnergy – deferral of payments of utilities
– Sasktel – suspension of telephone, internet
SaskPower Energy Assistance for Low Income
Contact Kathleen Wilson – 306 – 566 – 2386
All SaskPower customers with low income need to make application. The form can be accessed by mail or email. It is fairly detailed and requires a declaration. Once this is done a Energy Coach will come to the residence and conduct a “walk through” assesstment and issue a report. The qualifying residence will be provided with LED bulbs for the house, shower heads, drying rack on the first visit.. On the second visit a new energy efficient thermostat will be provided and installed. These are all free of charge.
The program will run for two years. In the interim, the process is being streamlined for the users.
LOCAL SUPPORT
– application to Credit Unions, Royal Bank, etc
– regional organizations – Community Futures, etc
– municipal govt – deferral or abatement of taxes
SELF SUPPORT
– Fundraisers – senior activities
– Raffles – get items donated from Saskpower, Saskenergy, local community, members
– register with SLGA to receive a 25% top up on net returns
Examples
- BLAINE LAKE SENIORS
One of our fund raiser for the year 2020 was selling Raffle tickets. Tickets cost $20.00 each, draws were made monthly for $100.00. Every winner was put back in the drum, giving you a chance to win $2100.00 over the whole year.
- NAICAM
The Naicam Senior Centre isn’t very busy these days. Extensive rennovations of clubhouse using money accessed from the federal government through New Horizons.