• Seniors Programs

There is a long-standing need to address and resolve senior’s issues on all the Islands. We encourage seniors to stay involved on the Islands and maintain contact with and advise local senior’s organizations.

Many of the SGIs seniors live on limited incomes and have been affected both by increased costs for health care, and decreased access to services, such as home support.  

As part of our ongoing efforts to support this vulnerable population, a range of programs using local facilities have been designed to help keep seniors active, engaged, and connected to the health and social services they need as well as offer networking and social opportunities. 

The CRC also works to increase access to government and other needed services off the Islands.  New opportunities have also been added for participants to become involved in intergenerational programs to help tackle loneliness, isolation, and fear among seniors themselves and many of the Islands children.

Helpline

250-629-3665

A One-Stop Information Helpline provides general information on health, transportation, education, housing, and finances, as well as referrals and help for caregivers and legal advice across the Islands.

 It includes:

  • Support via the Computer Savvy Seniors Initiative including assisting with virtual communication set-up (Facebook, Skype, etc.) to maintain connection to family and friends. Printing and scanning help are also offered. 
  • Appropriate referrals to community service agencies/programs including the BC Senior’s Abuse Line, the local health centres, BC 211, Volunteer Victoria, emergency services and more.  
  • Support with transportation to local organizations, the local on-island stores, and services – volunteer drivers or car sharing are used (Covid limited).
  • Access to online informational/educational resources via the library and local bookstore – volunteer driven. 
  • Helping with inventory of basic essentials. Seniors who may face barriers to obtaining food and other essential supplies where needed by providing sourcing of these essential supplies.  

In Partnership With

Need to Zoom but don’t know how? 

Computer Savvy Seniors Program (CSS)

The Computer Savvy Senior (CSS) Initiative provides computer courses and workshops is up and running and focuses on topics of importance and interest to seniors. Seniors who have completed computer courses and workshops serve as mentors and work directly with seniors taking the courses and workshops on all 4 Islands.

The SGICRC has established satellite offices on each of the SGIs and these offices are equipped with video conferencing facilities.

Courses facilitate such activities as avoiding online fraud, basic computer skills, building an online business, using Zoom, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and accessing online health and government sites. 

A $5 donation is requested for each session if the participant is able to donate. See schedule for upcoming course dates

Sign Up for Courses Here

Past Courses

Island Kindness Project

The Island Kindness Project has been set up to help support members of our community who are self-isolating or in quarantine with occasional basic out-of-home errands and other activities; you are not alone.

Grocery shopping assistance continues to be offered by a roster of on-island volunteer drivers who shop and deliver groceries to registered low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Subsidies for purchases of food cards are provided to those who can not afford food. 

A system of re-assurance calls and regular “friendly visits” by phone and occasional in person socials for Seniors and people with disabilities helps to check in with them during these winter months. Volunteers are now aiding seniors to learn about online banking. Tablets are used and calls are often referred through the helpline.

Request for Resources Here

Volunteers deliver food, pick up groceries, call isolated people, or help with gardening, and lots of other jobs that will help to bring comfort to seniors in the community. Community kindness, no matter how small, can make a huge difference. 

Sign up to Volunteer Here

A special THANK YOU to our local Pender Island True Value Store

who donated $2000 and Green Angels $1000 to offset some of the costs.

Grandparent Storytelling

Many of the Islands’ seniors are eager to pass on stories of their youth on the islands and a new ‘Grandparent Storytelling’ project allows senior volunteers to share their stories. In collaboration with the podcast ‘The Stories That Brought You Here‘,  Penderites give one-on-one interviews with host, Chris Wakaluk, about what brought them to Pender Island, B.C. – Discover the stories that brought them to this amazing little island and also the stories that brought them to this point in their lives.

Check out the grandparents and their stories here!