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'We have work to do': King-Vaughan MP says more must be done to help seniors struggling amid COVID-19

Canada's minister for seniors, Deb Schulte, discusses range of topics during virtual town hall

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 26, 2021
Aileen Zangouei

Part of the challenge seniors are facing during the coronavirus pandemic is being unaware of the virtual opportunities available to them, King-Vaughan MP Deb Schulte said during a virtual Town Hall meeting, Jan. 21.

Tony Van Bynen, MP of Newmarket and Aurora, was joined by Schulte and community members to discuss the needs of seniors during COVID-19.

Newmarket Councillor for Ward 7, Christine Bisanz, who is also the CEO of the Community and Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS), said they have been able to reconstruct the services they make available to seniors during these times thanks to the funding from United Way.

CHATS services more than 8,300 seniors in York Region and South Simcoe County, providing support to enable seniors to live independently, safely and with dignity in their own homes.

During the pandemic, they introduced new food services to seniors who are most vulnerable to the virus. Services includes Meals on Wheels and food hampers delivered straight to the door.

CHATS also provides a number of virtual programs -- some in other languages -- for social engagement, such as the virtual whiskey tasting.

David LeGallais, president of the Aurora Senior Centre, expressed concerns for his organization, which has remained closed since the pandemic started.

It is currently only offering six services after putting a halt to 36 others that could no longer be offered due to pandemic regulations.

LeGallais said if the vaccination could be made mandatory, the Aurora Senior Centre could fully reopen and offer all its services once again, adding members would feel safer again. It is are also currently only able to serve five per cent of their members.

Schulte said she is not the one to make that decision, and that vaccinations can not be made mandatory due to exceptions in some people who may be immunocompromised.

"We can't say everyone must have one," Schulte said, adding there will always be an exception, including those who have allergies and must wait for a different type of vaccination.

"Canada, in terms of vaccines, has already distributed 700,000 vaccines to provinces and territories and, by September, we will have enough vaccines for Canadians who want a shot," Schulte said.

The only remedy organizations serving seniors have at this time is to follow all the guidelines, such as cleaning and maintain physical distancing.

"Physical distancing doesn't have to mean social distancing," Schulte said, adding that it is essential seniors continue to socialize while staying safe by using the virtual opportunities.

Schulte recalled the feedback she received from seniors using technology to communicate for the first time as "amazing." The funding they provided to the provinces and territories helped provide iPads to seniors to keep contact with their families and friends.

Funding was also used so facilities could change their air flow mechanisms, and the way they control the separation of people.

To get to post-pandemic Canada, "we need to keep following guidelines, because we are reaching dangerous case numbers across the country," Schulte said.

Seniors have reached out to her about how the pandemic was impacting their social life and asking for a solution on what to do.

"We get calls saying 'I'm sitting at home, I'm really very depressed and I can't go to my club anymore and I don't know what to do'," Schulte said, adding that it is vital seniors know about the services available to them.

The increasing demands for personal support workers (PSW) was discussed, and that the government is working to provide placements and provide support for placements for 4,000 new PSW interns. To help with the wages for PSWs, $3 billion was funded.

"They are the lowest-paid employees and are most essential," Schulte said.