Sam, a senior living in South Surrey, called Sources looking to sign up for the Shop by Phone program. His neighbour uses the program and suggested it to Sam. While talking with Sam, he asked if we could suggest where to get his taxes done (he had not completed them for the last five years). Through further conversation, we learned that Sam is lonely, has no family nearby and most of his friends have passed away. Through our Seniors’ Hub services, we helped Sam navigate to different programs and resources in the community that would help. Firstly, his tax returns were completed at the Sources’ free tax clinic. Since his taxes were now complete, we helped him apply online for government income programs to which he was entitled to (CPP, OAS, BC Recovery Benefit, etc.) We gave him the information about the Seniors Centre Without Walls program at Seniors Come Share Society. Sam says he participates in that program at least once weekly, and he likes the socializing and learning.
Sam tells us he is enjoying life a bit more now, feels less lonely, and wants to return to volunteering. We have connected him with an organization that is creating a Men’s Shed program, where he can volunteer. Sam is now receiving his regular payments of CPP, OAS and GIS. Sam says he is very thankful for the hub service, and that the service got him organized financially, and connected. “I feel like they care about me and that a huge weight has been taken from my shoulders. It was nice to talk with a live person who steered me through everything, since I was too overwhelmed to do it myself”.