$2 million helps support seniors to stay at home longer
Friday, June 13 in Kamloops, B.C.’s Health Minister Terry Lake announced an additional $2 million in funding for United Way’s Better at Home program. United Way of the Lower Mainland is grateful for the additional funding. The funding will be used to enhance and support Better at Home.
Managed by United Way of the Lower Mainland, Better at Home is operating in 46 locations to date with another 14 opening their doors for service in the fall. Find out if your community is operating a local Better at Home program.
“Our mandate is to help seniors remain independent and active in their communities,” said United Way of the Lower Mainland President & CEO Michael McKnight.
The additional funding will be used to enhance and improve Better at Home programs. Enhancements will include:
- Engaging with stakeholders across the province to develop and pilot a number of Better at Home programs to better serve rural or remote communities
- Finding ways for Better at Home to more fully integrate and support existing seniors services in local communities with a goal of providing even better services to seniors
- Developing training and other tools to build the capacity of lead organizations
The announcement was made at a seniors symposium organized by ONCORE, Better at Home”s service provider in Kamloops.
Visit the United Way of the Lower Mainland website for details, and view the official media release for more information on the additional $2 million from the province of B.C.
Innovative partnerships help seniors and build friendships
South Surrey/White Rock Better at Home’s lead organization Seniors Come Share Society has collaborated with two community partners to help deliver their Better at Home services: Semiahmoo House Society for yard work and Sources Concierge for housekeeping assistance.
Semiahmoo House Society supports people with disabilities in the South Surrey/White Rock community. Through Better at Home, people with an acquired brain injury or cognitive disability do work to help local seniors maintain a neat lawn and yard. In return they gain valuable job skills and experience.
Sources Concierge is a social enterprise that provides housekeeping services for Better at Home. The service is delivered by women who are involved with Sources Women’s Place, a program that provides resources, programs and support for improving the lives of women and their families. All proceeds from the Better at Home service are funneled back into the program.
These innovative partnerships strengthen our communities? social fabric and sometimes even build lasting connections.
Take for example Stacey and Rosalie. Last year, Stacey volunteered through Semiahmoo House Society to do yard work with Better at Home. Through that work she met Rosalie and a friendship blossomed. This year, Stacey once again contacted Seniors Come Share Society to see if she could return to help out. Stacey asked if she could work with Rosalie again, and since Rosalie trusted Stacey, Stacey tended Rosalie?s yard again this year. Their valued friendship continues. Help around the home can be that much more enjoyable when it?s delivered by a treasured friend.