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QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SENIORS REACH is assisting more seniors during COVID-19 BY PAT REDIGER
REACH is expanding its reach to seniors as part of the community’s efforts to overcome the coronavirus. Since seniors are a vulnerable population to COVID-19, the Regina-based organization that delivers a range of healthy food programs has increased efforts to ensure seniors’ needs are met. Dana Folkersen, REACH executive director, said there are two main initiatives that primarily assist seniors: the convenience meal program and the mobile store. Convenience meals consist of frozen meals and other healthy food that are delivered door-to-door. The mobile store delivers a variety of frozen meals, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and baked goods to five seniors’ facilities in partnership with the Regina Housing Authority. “Since we’ve had COVID appear, we have had about triple the number of seniors who want to access our services,” said Folkersen. Convenience meals had been delivered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but due to high demand, a Friday delivery service has been added temporarily. As well, REACH added pre-orders to its mobile store so seniors could request what they required in advance. Seniors are also placing larger orders than in the past, which may be in response to
concerns about scarcity of certain items. In addition to the increase in orders, REACH has also had to institute new safety protocols to help prevent the spread of the virus. Delivery drivers wear masks and practice physical distancing while delivering the convenience meals. Physical distancing is also required for those who use the mobile shop and seniors must maintain a two-metre distance between each other. Folkersen has also noted an increase in the Good Food Box program, which provides fresh fruit and vegetables at discount prices, to various individuals and organizations including First Nation communities. “We work with 11 First Nation reserves around Regina and they’ve been buying Good Food Boxes for people on the reserve. A lot of them are buying frozen meals and Good Food Boxes for their elders to ensure that everyone remains healthy.” As part of the changes at REACH, they redeployed existing staff to meet the new demand. Since they could no longer provide educational programs such as cooking classes, and the school meal program ended when the schools closed, those staff are now working in these other areas. There have also been changes among the volunteers. Previously,
many volunteers were from vulnerable groups so they had to stay home for their own protection. However, many younger people and teachers have stepped up and assisted with the programs. The City of Regina has also provided staff and vehicles to assist with deliveries. The pandemic has brought together a group of community organizations lead by the City of Regina, such as REACH, the Regina Food Bank and the Salvation Army, to address food security issues. These groups now host morning phone calls to discuss the COVID situation and work together as a team to ensure community needs are being met. “If a senior requires an emergency hamper, then we will work together to ensure that delivery gets made. If one organization is contacted, but doesn’t provide that service, then we will make sure that person is transferred to the organization which provides that service. We are all working really hard so that person doesn’t have to make a bunch of different phone calls to get the service they need.” Folkersen said there are ways that the public can support their efforts. You can make a donation on its website at www.reachinregina. ca, where you can also find more details about the programs they provide.
It’s also important for the public to recognize that hoarding food has significant impacts, especially on seniors. “When you hoard food, it goes all the way up the supply chain,” she said. “We’ve had difficulties with suppliers because they could not get the food we required since they were suffering from shortages. The majority of people we work with can’t stock up, and then when we can’t get it and it’s not in the store, then they just don’t know what to do.” Folkersen suggested that if you are doing some grocery shopping, and your friends or neighbors are seniors, ask them if they would like you to pick something up for them.
Seniors may not want to ask for help, but they likely won’t refuse it once it has been offered. REACH has its roots back in 1990 when the City of Regina and the University of Regina conducted a research project on hunger in the city. The report recommended the creation of a non-profit, which led to the formation of Regina Education and Action on Child Hunger (REACH). Since that time REACH has developed programs for all ages that are delivered in partnership with more than 185 organizations and schools to ensure that all people in the community have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food.
REACH staff and volunteers organize items for the convenience meals they deliver to seniors’ homes. PHOTO: REACH
Sociology professor Dr. Sarah Knudson is researching later-life relationships, talking to couples aged 55 and over who have found love again. GETTY IMAGES
No expiration date on the heart
Research study examines laterlife love stories BY PAUL SINKEWICZ
Love has a way of surprising. Sometimes it comes when it’s least expected, and no matter the age at which it finds you, it definitely has the power to change lives. Dr. Sarah Knudson is listening to a lot of love stories these days. She is conducting a study on Later-Life Recoupling and Intimate Relationships. The purpose is to gain a better understanding of re-entry into longterm relationships for people aged 55 and older. Knudson is a sociology professor at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan. She became interested in the topic a few years ago while doing a study on matchmakers and dating coaches. A lot of the clients were middleaged and older adults who were repartnering. She realized there was a need to find out more about that group of people. “Not a lot of research had been done on people in their 50s and beyond who are getting re-partnered,” Knudson said. “There’s so much more focus on people who are partnering or marrying for the first time.” The average life expectancy in Canada is 80 years for men and 84 for women, and last year there were more than 6.5 million Canadians over the age of 65, according to Statistics Canada. With people living longer than ever before, it makes sense that more people are opting not to spend the later part of their life alone.
No w h a l fw ay t h r o u g h h e r interviews, Knudson has talked to people in their mid-90s who found love in their 80s. “It’s really amazing how many participants have said when I asked them what has been the most surprising about their relationship, it’s just that it happened,” said Knudson, “That it’s possible, that they found love again, and that they’re having this whole new chapter in life.” She said some of them, by virtue of their age, or having been widowed, were at a point where they had given up on meeting somebody. “A lot of the participants have just been taken by surprise through a new relationship and it’s a whole new world, a whole new chapter,” said Knudson. “Everybody’s life stories have been so interesting, and even though people have such diverse lives, there are still patterns in those lives and that’s what a research project like this is trying to get at.” Knudson’s study is a semistructured interview format with some general questions or themes, but participants are free to talk and elaborate on the areas they find important to them. The interview can go in many directions. “People will talk about serious discussions they had about living arrangements or finances or health. Also, about blending families and estate planning,” said Knudson. “Some are big topics and potentially stressful things. Also, what’s been the most surprising thing? What have you learned from this relationship? What’s been the most fun? And just wondering what their expectations and goals are for this relationship.” One big thing asked is their history of prior long-term relationships and the history of their current long-term relationship. What was
going on in their lives, and were they open to meeting somebody? Knudson said one thing that has been very positive is how many men have come forward to be a part of the study. Often men are underrepresented in social science research studies, but over 40 per cent of participants in her study so far have been men. That’s helpful to be able to gain perspectives of both men and women in re-partnering experiences, she said. Intimacy is a very personal topic, but Knudson said participants are showing a willingness to discuss the full spectrum of intimacy issues, including companionship and sexuality. “It’s a theme that comes up in every interview,” she said. “I didn’t want to push it going in, but a lot of people are very much emphasizing that intimacy is a big part of their relationship, and it’s a big part of their happiness in their new relationship.” Knudson plans to present her findings at sociology conferences over the next year or so, and will then publish them in an appropriate journal. She is also interested in beginning to plan a similar exploration of re-coupling among older same-sex couples, another demographic that deserves more attention from sociologists, she says. For the current study, Knudson is inviting any interested volunteer participants to contact her at sarah. knudson@usask.ca. Participants must be 55 and older, in a heterosexual relationship, reside in Canada, repartnered within the last five years and together with their current partner for at least one year (although participants do not have to be living together with their current partner). All names and information gathered remains confidential.
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Healthy food is within REACH! The organization’s mobile store delivers a variety of frozen meals, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and baked goods to local seniors’ facilities. PHOTO: REACH
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QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SENIORS COVID-19 highlights need for changes to elder care: SSM
BY CAROL T ODD
While the COVID-19 virus has left death and, in many ways, destruction, in its wake, it may also have set the stage for potential positive changes to the way our society cares for its elderly population, according to the umbrella agency that brings together seniors’ organizations in Saskatchewan.
Holly Schick, SSM executive director. SUP P L I E D
The need to self-isolate and take other steps to guard against the spread of the virus can be especially difficult for seniors, says Holly Schick, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism (SSM). The issue of older adults and isolation was already front and centre for the organization when the virus landed in our province. It’s a key issue in the Age-Friendly Communities campaign SSM launched a couple of years ago. The campaign is part of a global movement with a goal of making communities safer, smarter, healthier, happier, more in-
clusive places for all people to live and thrive. Schick says one of the issues that has arisen as a result of the virus is the need to balance safety with personal freedom. She cites the example of a nursing home that was requiring its patients to stay in their rooms. “One of the interesting things that we’re seeing, and getting comments from people about, is the real difficulty of balancing some kind of personal freedom and safety with institutional needs and protection of people, residents and service providers. That’s a significant issue,” she says. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led SSM to reiterate its continued call for a provincial, or national, strategy. “The pandemic has really revealed just how important it is for our provincial government to develop and implement some kind of comprehensive plan to support and enable positive ageing,” Schick says, adding the pandemic has “shone the light” on what she terms the most fragile and vulnerable places in our whole continuum of care, nursing homes. At the same time, Schick says Saskatchewan people have a long tradition of helping others. “There is great willingness and eagerness by people in communities to support one another and to find creative ways to reduce isolation. You hear that people want to help others. They want to be out there, whether it’s getting groceries for their neighbour, or you hear of people doing the drive-bys to celebrate a birthday or what-
ever,” she says. While much of the discussion around protection against COVID-19 has focused on the physical side, there are also mental health issues that can result from isolation. The Government of Canada website says there are numerous potential effects, ranging from fear of contracting the disease to senses of helplessness, loneliness and depression. The government website suggests a number of steps that can be taken to help alleviate some of the stress of isolation. The suggestions include taking a break from social media and the news and staying connected through emails, phone calls and social media, as well as maintaining physical and mental health through stretching and meditating, eating properly and getting enough exercise and sleep.* For more helpful tips, visit the SSM website at skseniorsmechanism.ca, under the Age Friendly Saskatchewan tab. While there are numerous suggestions on how to keep in touch while self-isolated, Schick says they aren’t always available for seniors who may not have access to a computer, or may otherwise be unable to use social media or other programs to keep in touch—some may not even have a cell phone. Face masks can pose particular problems for those with a hearing impairment who rely on lip-reading, while other disabilities may also limit options—arthritic fingers can’t text for example. Schick suggests using our phones the old-fashioned way and
Self-isolation to protect against COVID-19 is especially difficult for seniors. Letters from family and friends are sure to brighten their day. GET TY IMAGES
talking, rather than texting or going online. While not all nursing homes permit packages to be dropped off, Canada Post says that, because of the length of time the virus lives on surfaces, letters and most other parcels are safe. Schick suggests putting together a package of writing materials, envelopes and stamps to give to someone to help them to keep in touch. “Writing letters and that could be great. I had someone say that the mom had written letters to the children and what a neat thing that was to connect in that particular way,” she says. Schick is pleased that at least one of the stressors of
the pandemic is being addressed by the Government of Canada—the financial aspect. “We’ve seen how supportive the governments have tried to be in supporting people through the financial crisis and what a vital role that is,” she says, adding that, like an overarching strategy to address ageing, there is a need for continuing that financial assistance after the crisis over. “How do we continue to provide, so that older adults and others, indeed, have the kind of level of income that folks need to have basic quality of life?” she says. For many people, the fact of change alone is stressful, but Schick is hopeful there
will be positive change coming on the heels of the tragedy of COVID-19. “I think there will still be a great tendency to swing back to the way we’ve always done things and the way it was before. But I think it’s a great learning opportunity for us. And I think there are things that probably will continue on and that we will have learned that will, hopefully, make our society a better place for older adults, and for others, which is what age-friendly communities is all about.” *https://www.canada.ca/ en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/mental-health. html
What the COVID-19 Pandemic has revealed
Support systems for older adults are fragile and vulnerable! Governments have a vital role in supporting older adults: ! During a crisis; ! After a crisis; ! ALL THE TIME
STRATEGIZING FOR POSITIVE AGING IN SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan Needs a Plan! www.skseniorsmechanism.ca