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Our City Richmond

By Florence Gordon

Published 12:28 PDT, Fri August 2, 2024

Good to know

Are you a senior or do you have a family member that’s about to make a life altering decision. If so, here is important information that might prove helpful. Recently my sister’s husband passed away. She knew she could not maintain a big home and because she didn’t drive she felt her only option was to move into a senior residence but was not yet ready. So I decided to do some research on her behalf.

Here in the City of Richmond, there’s an organization called Richmond Cares Richmond Gives (RCRG). Richmond Sentinel (RS) filmed an interview with chief executive officer and president, Ed Gavsie, and senior program manager, Carol Dickson to talk about the programs and services available for seniors. Here is what we discovered. For the video in full go to richmondsentinel.ca/videos

RCRG is the largest supplier of senior support services in Richmond, offering programs such as:

The Better At Home Program (Funded by United Way) 

Provides a range of non-medical home support services such as:

Transportation

Grocery shopping

Light housekeeping

Minor home repairs

Friendly visiting

Light yard work

Volunteers – how do you recruit volunteers?

Many volunteers are seniors

We advertise & publish articles

Volunteers are screened

Go through extensive training and

Are supervised
Senior Peer Counselling Program

Certified volunteer counsellors

Provide support to senior who lost a loved one

Or are moving out of a home of many years

Volunteer drivers are trained

In fall prevention and

Managing challenging personalities

Community Connector Program (New)

Manager will guide seniors with programs

Assist with housing availability

Information contact

For programs and services rcrg.org

Volunteer opportunities rcrg.org/volunteernow

65 additional member organizations post volunteer opportunities

An important questioned asked was “if Richmond Cares Richmond Gives’ services are unique or do other communities across Canada offer similar programs and services for seniors?” Which now caused me to circle back to my sister who lives in Ontario. She does have options if she chooses to move into an apartment she can live independently with the assistance of community services for Seniors especially through the Better At Home Program.

My next step was to visit the Minoru Senior Centre, which I have to admit was my first time touring the facility. The pandemic not only took many lives but it left an impact on many who were isolated and lost touch. For those who have lost their life partner, miss being surrounded by friends, or would like to become active again, this facility is amazing. It’s Good To Know, that seniors are provided with many opportunities that are free services to help them live a reasonable quality of life and by the way, are free. 

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