A federal grant could help save some support services for seniors in Vernon after a beneficial pilot program ends this month. But it's likely not enough to keep the Age Well at Home service going.
Age Well at Home sees seniors supported with transportation and light housekeeping free of charge. Approximately 170 Vernon seniors have been relying on the program for the last two years.
Unfortunately, the federal pilot program is ending Aug. 31, much to the dismay of local seniors, volunteers and the staff at NexusBC, which runs the program.
Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee MP Scott Anderson announced applications are open for the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) which will grant up to $25,000 for community-based projects.
"Organizations are invited to apply for funding to support initiatives that help seniors stay connected, engaged and active within their communities," Anderson said.
"The NHSP supports a wide range of initiatives, including computer training, financial literacy and fraud prevention workshops, meal delivery services and intergenerational programs."
NexusBC executive director Pam Myers says the New Horizons funding has been used in the past to support the Community Income Tax program for low income seniors.
"However, we鈥檝e applied for this funding for the past two years to provide workshops and activities that provide social inclusion opportunities for seniors, and have not been successful," Myers said. "Social isolation is a well-documented crisis among seniors in Canada today. We have a small amount of funding from the Community Foundation North Okanagan to support our efforts to provide these activities through our Seniors Social Club, but these funds are available only for one year."
New Horizons prioritizes programs that support healthy aging, prevent senior abuse, celebrate diversity and promotes inclusion and supports financial security.
The grant provides a minimal amount of funding, up to a maximum of $25,000.
"This doesn鈥檛 allow much for wages or overhead over the course of a year, let alone to offer the support services we have been providing through the Age Well at Home program," Myers said. "Unfortunately, it will not fill the gap for us even if we were successful with our application."
NexusBC will still be applying for the funding and are meeting with Anderson in hopes of saving the Age Well program.
The deadline to apply is Sept. 17 at .
