Seniors

Note: Be sure to check out other categories --such as 'Leisure Activities'-- for more tips relevant (but not specific to) to seniors.

ABC's Of Fraud - Helping prevent fraud and scams targeting seniors. Details at: www.sirrs.ca Contact: abcsoffraud@csikamloops.ca or 250-554-4145.

British Columbia Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support - Preventing elder abuse and providing assistance and support to older adults that are, or may be, abused physically, emotionally or financially. Information, outreach, advocacy, wide range of legal support. Details at: www.bcceas.ca Contact: 1-866-437-1940.

BC Government - Produces a directory of government programs and benefits available to seniors living in BC. Viewable at the downtown library or on-line at www.hls.gov.bc.ca/seniors/seniors_guide.htm Contact: BC Senior's Line, listed next.

Bus Pass Program - Low cost annual pass for people over 60 years of age and receiving income assistance or other income supplement programs. Contact: 1-866-866-0800 (then press 4).

Cariboo Manor - Affordable supported-living home for ambulatory seniors. Room, meals and housekeeping provided for nine residents in a safe, secure, home-like setting. Contact: 250-579-9350.

Center for Seniors Information Home and Yard Program - Providing home and yard maintenance for seniors with low-income. Contact: 250-554-4145.

Elder Abuse Program - Answers questions about elder abuse and neglect and refers to designated agencies. Offers confidential peer support to seniors who have suffered abuse once they have received professional counseling. Contact 250-828-0600 or kamloopssos@telus.net

Elder Law Clinic, British Columbia Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support - Free legal advice and representation to older, eligible adults whose legal problem fits into priority areas: older adults who have experienced abuse or are vulnerable to abuse, including those who have legal issues relating to access to housing, problems with assisted living or long term care, access to government benefits, and financial abuse. Details at: www.bcceas.ca Contact: 1-866-437-1940.

Elders' Luncheon - Support group for native elders to assist with their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health care needs. Contact Melissa: 250-376-1296.

Empty Nest - Provides companionship and enjoyment for people in the community who are in need of a social outing. Runs September to May. Contact Mt. Paul United Church: 250-376-2261.

Friendly Visitor - Volunteers visit clients in their homes to provide some companionship for those who do not have any existing support. Depending on the client's interests, activities may include going for a walk, having tea, playing games, crafts or reading. Contact 250-828-0600 or kamloopssos@telus.net

Good Morning Program - Clients registered for the program are telephoned at a mutually agreed upon time between 9am & 10am weekdays for a daily check on their well being. If the volunteer caller is unable to reach the senior, an emergency protocol is then followed. Contact 250-828-0600 or kamloopssos@telus.net

Glenfair Apartments - Low-cost rental housing in an independent living situation for seniors. Contact Interior Community Services: 250-554-3134.

Health & Seniors Info Line - Information line regarding the provincial government's services available to seniors in BC. Details at: www.seniorsbc.ca Contact: 1-800-465-4911. 

Home & Community Care - Help to remain at home, transition to full-time, professional care in a residential facility, or anything in between. Respite for caregivers also available. Contact Interior Health Authority: 250-851-7900.

Housing Subsidies - See this directory's category  'Housing'.

Human Resources Development Canada - Receipt of Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, and Canada Pension Plan benefits requires application. Contact: 1-800-277-9914.

Kamloops Adult Day Services - Offers a day out for people who are living at home or with family and may be at risk of losing their independence. Includes bathing programs, administering of medications, therapeutic recreation programs, social activities, support. Contact Interior Health Authority: 250-377-3443.

Kamloops Adult Learners Society - Daytime educational opportunities for retired adults interested  in lifelong learning. Classes in creative writing, computers, etc. Details at: www.kals.ca Contact: 250-819-5153.

Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre - Individual and group counselling for males and females of all ages who have experienced sexual violence, abuse and/or partnership assault at any point in their lives. Services include senior-specific support. Details at: www.ksacc.ca Contact: 250-372-0179. 

Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry - A resource for anyone planning for when they may require help to manage their affairs due to episodic, temporary, or permanent incapacity. Suitable for people seeking an alternative to court-appointed and public guardianship, and people who are currently supporting others with planning and decision-making. Also operates a centralized registry for Enduring Powers of Attorney, Representation Agreements and revocations of such documents. Details at: www.nidus.ca Contact: info@nidus.ca or 1-604-408-7414.

Private Care Agreements - Information on issues to consider is available from the Canadian Centre for Elder Law, a subsidiary of the BC Law Institute. Details at: www.bcli.org/ccel Contact: 1-604-822-0633. 

Representation Agreement Resource Centre - Now called 'Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry'. Please see that heading in this category.

Seniors Abuse and Referral Society - Education and information about abuse of seniors and related resources. A list of relevant contacts is available. Contact Seniors' Information Centre: 250-554-4145.

Seniors' Guide to Federal Programs and Services - Available from Human Resources Development Canada. Online at: www.seniors.gc.ca/content.jsp?&font=0&contentid=100 Contact: 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).

Seniors Home Safety Check - In collaboration with Seniors Outreach Society, trained volunteers check senior's homes for safety hazards that could cause falls. Details at: www.kamloops.ca/kipn/index.shtml Contact: 250-851-7413.

Seniors' Information Centre - Information; elder abuse advocacy. Contact: 250-554-4145.

Seniors Outreach Services Society - Volunteer-assisted grocery shopping, Good Morning program, Friendly Visitor Program, Seniors Accompanying Seniors, Elder Abuse support, referrals and information. Contact 250-828-0600 or kamloopssos@telus.net

Senior Peer Counselling - A free one-on-one service provided by trained senior volunteers who offer emotional support, guidance and empathy to at-risk seniors troubled by loneliness, depression, isolation, loss of loved ones and other life changes. Contact 250-828-0600 or kamloopssos@telus.net

Therapy Dog Program - Offering dog/handler visitation services to care facilities, Royal Inland Hospital and in the event of a disaster in the Kamloops community. Details at: http://tinyurl.com/2yr2k3 Contact: 250-372-3853 or kamloops@bc.sja.ca

When I'm 64 - A guide to federal, provincial and not-for-profit programs and services for those 60 and over. Available from Legal Services Society (250-314-1900) or online at www.lss.bc.ca/publications/pub.aspx?p_id=281