COVID-19 UPDATE
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
HEALTH, WELLNESS AND RECREATION
LITERACY, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
COMMUNITY
EXAMINING THE PANDEMIC’S IMPACT ON THOSE 55+
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he COVID-19 pandemic highlighted many of the systemic issues faced by seniors and older adults in Manitoba, including social isolation, mental health, and quality care. But while these issues were exacerbated during the pandemic, they are not new. Charitable organizations like A&O: Support Services for Older Adults have been working to address these challenges for decades. “We haven’t had to change our direction [due to the pandemic] because we’ve known these things were always important to support older Winnipeggers and older Manitobans in aging well,” says Amanda Macrae, executive director of A&O Support Services. A&O was established in 1957 following a study reporting poverty, loneliness, and poor health among Winnipeg seniors – issues that remain at the forefront today for Manitoba’s older adult population. While many charitable organizations and community groups are working to improve the lives of seniors, Manitoba does not yet have an office dedicated to coordinating and overseeing the variety of services and resources that support older adults.
STANDING UP FOR SENIORS
A 2020 opinion published in the Winnipeg Free Press by authors Trish Rawsthorne, Laura Funk and Brianne Goertzen recommended the establishment of a seniors advocate in Manitoba, citing a need for greater transparency, oversight, and access, while ensuring older adults in Manitoba have a voice. “[A seniors advocate] could identify and analyze systemic challenges facing seniors, collaborate and work with service providers, raise awareness of available resources and service gaps and make recommendations to government to improve delivery of services and the welfare of older adults,” they wrote. When COVID-19 forced Good Neighbours Active Living Centre to shut its doors, it mobilized to provide resources to help the older adults it serves to isolate in place, safely. Located on Henderson Highway, Good Neighbours is a charity offering adults 55+ ways to stay active, connect to the community and to meet new friends. The pandemic saw Good Neighbours expand its meal delivery program, organize grocery drives and phone conversations, and launch virtual programming, including fitness classes, painting classes, and meetings for its harmonica group. “It was amazing to see how many people embraced this change and are still embracing it,” says Susan Sader, executive director of Good Neighbours. “We offered some virtual classes this fall because we heard from people that they still wanted this option, and they all filled up.” After 10 months of closure, Good Neighbours reopened its doors in September 2021, providing many of its regular fitness, creative and special interest programs in person, while maintaining virtual programs. As we continue to navigate the pandemic, Sader emphasized the need to address the ongoing and lasting effects of COVID-19. “We’ve heard about COVID fog where people feel their thinking is kind of fuzzy,” Sader says.
Photos of activities at Good Neighbours Active Living Centre.
The Winnipeg Foundation supports a variety of senior-serving programs by making grants to charities working in all Cause areas in our community. This has been especially important during the pandemic. Understanding there are countless needs that have arisen due to COVID-19, The Winnipeg Foundation proactively made grants to personal care homes during the early days of the pandemic.The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, located on Hugo Street, was one of many personal care homes that received a $5,000 grant.
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The Foundation also supported many seniors’ centres. For example, Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre is a multi-purpose senior facility that promotes the physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being of older adults. It received grants totaling $65,000 to help combat senior isolation and depression by offering both mobile meals and other low-cost recreational programs.
