Expanded Call Line To Help Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic
B.C. seniors’ advocate Isobel Mackenzie has announced the expansion of bc211, a province-wide information and referral service that connects seniors needing help during the coronavirus pandemic with volunteers or services in their community willing to help with things like picking up and delivering groceries or medications. Previously only available in Metro Vancouver and on Vancouver Island, the service now covers the entire province. This is what she said:
“If you are a senior living at home, or the family member of a senior who needs help getting groceries, getting medications and staying connected, call 211 or visit the website and we’ll try to match you up with a volunteer or some kind of service in your community. You can now call it from anywhere in the province, and you will reach a live operator.”
To learn more about bc211, call 211 or visit http://www.bc211.ca/
The service is available seven days a week during daytime hours and is available free of charge for all seniors 65 and over.
People who wish to help seniors with tasks that require leaving the home or wanting to comfort an isolated senior with virtual visits can volunteer either by calling the 211 phone line or visiting the bc211 website. Note, all bc211 volunteers will need to undergo criminal record checks, which the attorney general’s office has pledged to expedite during the COVID-19 crisis.