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Mem- For English speaking seniors, lack- bership costs $24. ing computer skills can be a major “It’s accomplishing more than handicap in using social media to we had anticipated,” Taisier said. connect with family and community. “There is a liveliness that comes Because those in the 55-plus de- with being in a classroom setting, mographic often live alone, with with people learning things that are family far away, transport and ac- helping change their lives, and that companiment to appointments is brings the students together. There another need. is a lot of joy in the classroom, and Two innovative and sustain- it’s good for self-esteem, encourag- able projects targeting these needs, ing and hopeful.” are among 10 programs in Quebec Barbara Ann Howard said she sharing in a $1 million Community enrolled in the program to learn to Innovation Fund, provided by the send e-mails and improve her Google searches. It was so beneficial that after federal government’s Social Part- Barbara Moser nership Development Program and completing her first six-week session, Photo: she enrolled in a second one. managed by the Quebec Commu- Gabriel Valesco, Amel Taisier, student Margaret Valitoua, volunteer Jing San, and Taisier’s nieces nity Groups Network. Melody and Harmony Ossom “I could receive emails but I The New Hope Senior Citizens’ enabled them to lease laptops, tab- send emails.” In addition, seniors couldn’t send back to my family, who Centre in NDG is using its $87,840 lets, and digital cameras, and hire want help with increasingly com- are all over the world. The training we grant over two years for classes that the teacher, Gabriel Velasco. plex Smart Phones. To ensure the get is excellent. We get individualized help seniors upgrade their computer Interest was high among those classes were successful, the program help and the teacher is terrific.” skills and thereby break isolation. who use its programs, including the recruited volunteers to provide one- Nicole Wernhart joined as an in- The classes are popular and well Rendez Vous series New Hope runs on-one help. Lessons are 90 min- termediate, wanting to upgrade her attended. They fit into the social re- with the NDG YMCA. utes and Tuesdays and Thursdays, IPad skills. “I needed to brush up ality of NDG because it has one of “A lot of people had been asking the students practice for 90 minutes on a lot of things, and it’s been very the highest concentrations of Eng- about computer programs. They with volunteers. useful. If you’re confused about lish- speaking seniors in Quebec, an have their grandkids who are using Participation is limited to 33 stu- something, you get help right away,” estimated 41 per cent of whom live devices,” Taisier said. “Many fam- dents, most over 55. There are two she observed. Instructor Gabriel alone. Amel Taisier, program coor- ily members have left the province intermediate level classes and one Valesco says the word is getting out dinator at the centre, says the grant and they want to use Skype and for beginners. 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Bring in this coupon to receive 514.935.2993Mon.-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat.: 8am-5pm, Sun.: 11am-4pm $15 off the regular price. theseniortimes.com September 2018 THE SENIOR TIMES 3 was overseeing medical transport to Newcomers help seniors – “a beautiful combination” medical appointments for about 150 Continued from page 3 combating isolation, had been using people. Volunteer drivers were paid in the community, and now there volunteers to transport people in a minimal stipend, to cover expenses. are three classes instead of two. The the 50-plus demographic at no cost, All had driver’s permits and could students themselves decide what they provided they receive the old age communicate in English or French. want to learn. supplement. Thanks to the funding, the num- “We just decided we will be learn- But several years ago, the group ber receiving help with medical ing about video chatting, to make realized it could do a lot more, and transport has more than doubled it easier to have conversation with in April 2017, thanks to its grant of and the drivers’ stipend has slightly friends and family who live far away.” $119,200 over two years, added full increased, although it remains below accompaniment for seniors receiv- the minimum wage in Quebec, Grant used for Action Transport at ing medical attention with another which is $12 an hour. NDG Senior Citizen’s Council goal of engaging newcomers. In the first year of the program, Getting to medical appointments The project involves hiring recently drivers made 1,314 trips for seniors, is a challenging and necessary part arrived immigrants as drivers. The and three-quarters of the seniors of life for seniors, especially mem- response was immediate and posi- Irwin Block were given free taxi chits for the re- bers of the English-speaking com- tive. New immigrants, such as Zaïd, Photo: turn home. A total of 319 seniors munity who, along with financial from Syria, were eager to contribute Numbers doubled, says co-ordinator Anne Mackay were accompanied on their visits and mobility issues, may be dealing to their new city and increase their development, explained: “A lot of the and driven home. with dementia. employability by adding this work to low-income seniors in our area don’t Action Transport user Yvonne The NDG Senior Citizens Coun- their C.V. Often they also help clients have family and many are isolated so Weiss, in a letter to the council, de- cil, in its 42 years of work assisting navigate the healthcare network. Shari when it comes to getting to doctors’ scribed the program as “a godsend,” low-income area seniors and Polowin, the council’s director of appointments, they can’t go alone.” while Kathy Jukes wrote from Van- n Private and Semi-Private Rooms The new immigrant workers bene- couver to express gratitude for the fited from the integration, practicing help given to her mom in Montreal, n Visiting Physician their English or French, and becom- Julie Ramanoski, who is 92, has YOU don’t n Medication Supervision ing more accustomed to Canada. health issues, uses a walker, and is n 3 Nutritious Meals Daily “The seniors feel like they’re help- hard of hearing. ing the new immigrants and the new “All she could talk about was need to be n Weekly Housekeeping/Laundry immigrants are helping the seniors her accompaniment, a young man n Chapel services — a beautiful combination.” named Zaïd, who she said, never left ALONE... n Recreation Program The program is called Action her side. He was kind, considerate Transport, and coordinator Anne and knew the Jewish General Hos- n We offer affordable Emergency Call Bells & Intercom Mackay explained that when she pital very well.” living for Autonomous and n 24 Hour Supervision and/or came on board four years ago, she [email protected] Semi-Autonomous Seniors Assistance Vast Choice of Incontinence Products Ask for FREE SAMPLE Teaching Centre for McGill Nursing The Salvation Army Montclair Residence MonLook for referral Petit in www.smartshoppingmontreal.com Monde Inc. For further information, please call “Speciality Services” Vicky Stewart 514.481.5638 Consultation and Discreet Home Delivery 4413 Montclair Ave., Montreal (NDG) Owned and operated by The Salvation Army 514-955-0101 WHY PAY MORE? Make your prearrangements today. Ask about all the $ different funeral options and advantageous packages that we offer.