Seniors Project

 

 

The population of Mahone Bay is about 900 people. Of that total, 33% or some 300 people are age 65 or older. The same pattern applies to those in the surrounding area (about 2500) who view Mahone Bay as their town, and whom the Seniors Project serves. That large and growing demographic will place increasing strain on current social systems, such as health care, home care, and other support systems. A recent study by the South Shore District Health Authority concluded: "...our current health care system will not meet the needs and demands of future older adults." Increasingly it will be up to the community to help itself in dealing with our aging population. [Aging Matters, p.4]

The Seniors Project is a part of the Mahone Bay Centre Society dedicated to giving seniors in the Mahone Bay area the best quality of life. Its mission is three fold:

•  Offer seniors a range of social, recreational, cultural and lifelong learning activities
•  Provide volunteer assistance with simple household tasks
•  Present needed information on important subjects like health care, long term care, transportation, housing, et cetera

Through their efforts, the Seniors Project, with support from community groups, businesses, the Town of Mahone Bay and both federal and provincial grants, hopes to keep local seniors healthy, happy and safe in their own homes for as long as possible. Programs include:

·       Recreation – Badminton and Walking In Winter in the gym; summer walking club on local trails

·       Social – Dances, pot luck, card parties, movies

·       Conversations with... – A monthly series of talks on a variety of interesting subjects, as presented by knowledgeable local experts

·       Lifelong Learning at the Centre – A seminar series twice a month presenting quasi-academic topics as well as practical “how-to” sessions, e.g. on quilting, rug hooking, and gardening

·       Broadway Musical Revue – About 50 seniors are involved in writing, producing, and in November 2010 performing their own musical revue.  There is still space and time for those who would like to join in the fun.

·       Information and discussion sessions on issues of interest and concern to seniors, in cooperation with Community Groups – Including South Shore Health, South Shore Public Libraries, the Victorian Order of Nurses, just to name a few, offer presentations and lectures on a variety of subjects

For more information on any of these programs,

Phone: (902) 553-0640

Email: seniors project@eastlink.ca

 

 

Seniors Helping Seniors

‘Because everyone needs a helping hand...’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Need a little help? OR Would you like to lend a helping hand?
Does the lawn seem bigger? Do light bulbs seem higher? Let the Seniors Project help! If you, or someone you know, could use some help with simple household tasks or if you would like to lend a helping hand, contact the Seniors Helping Seniors project. Please read the information below to learn more about the Seniors Helping Seniors project! A little help is closer than you think!

 Seniors Helping Seniors is an initiative by the Mahone Bay Area Seniors Project to mobilize volunteers to help seniors in their homes with occasional household chores that are becoming too difficult, or cannot be done safely.  Our focus is on small tasks that are difficult to hire people to help with, and that are not provided by other organizations. This project is supported by the Town of Mahone Bay as part of the initiative to make Mahone Bay an Age-Friendly Community.

 

Seniors Helping Seniors is a program set up to help with simple household tasks such as:

-running local errands

-simple yard clean-up

-changing light bulbs or mouse traps

-watering plants and gardening

-picking up the mail

-changing storm windows

-minor painting or repairs

-pet-care

-transportation to appointments

-making phone calls

-writing letters

 

If you or someone you know could use occasional help with any of these tasks please get in touch with us. We would also like to hear from people who are willing to volunteer as helpers. 

The Seniors Helping Seniors Project acts as facilitator, matching seniors who could use a little help, with those who are able to give a little help. In this way every member of the community is able to not only use their skills, but also socialize with others, while having their everyday lives made easier.

The Seniors Helping Seniors Project has started to survey the needs of seniors, and identify people who are willing to lend a hand.  In May and June, two student occupational therapists from Dalhousie University will coordinate the Seniors Helping Seniors project, including contacting people to identify their needs, matching them with volunteers who are willing to help, and providing volunteer training and support.  In most cases, we will be able to match people with volunteers that they already know.

Please contact us if you are interested,

Phone: (902) 553-0640

Email: seniorsproject@eastlink.ca