This story is made possible through the support of Housser's Paint and Wallpaper as part of OrilliaMatters' Community Leaders Program
As loneliness among seniors increases, with over half of Canadians aged 50 and older experiencing the effects of social isolation, organizations like Helping Hands play a crucial role in fostering a caring and inclusive community.
Rishana Nooman, the human resource coordinator for Helping Hands, explains that the organization provides companionships through home care services, like the Telephone Reassurance program, which involves regular check-in calls to seniors who may be isolated or living alone.
“These calls provide companionship and ensure their well-being by monitoring their health and safety remotely,” Nooman says.
Helping Hands typically helps with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and companionship. Additionally, it has two transitional bed sites that provide assisted living for clients discharged from the hospital for up to 90 days.
In the past year, it has served 2,178 clients in Orillia and surrounding areas. Its other programs have delivered 15,569 meals, provided 21,581 rides and has 59 personal care clients, 209 homemaking clients and 138 assisted living clients.
Though its reach is significant now, Helping Hands had humble beginnings, starting in 1972 at Betty Forward’s kitchen table in Orillia. Forward and her eight sons saw a need and began to provide lawn care, snow removal and transportation to seniors in the community. A few years later, they had an executive director and a small staff based in their home.
“Eventually, the organization grew enough to secure provincial funding and moved into a formal office space,” the Helping Hands website states. “As funding began to flow, Helping Hands was able to focus on health and independence-related services that continue to grow today.”
There are volunteer opportunities for those looking to support Helping Hands, including providing transportation and technical support to seniors with the client portal, participating in community events and fundraising events, or supporting administrative tasks within the organization.
Donations and spreading awareness about its services also help; more information can be found on its website.
“Supporting their efforts not only enhances the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities but also strengthens the fabric of our communities as a whole,” Nooman says.
