When I think about age and aging I think about wealth; a wealth of knowledge, history, talents and skills.
However, for many of our community’s elders the reality of aging comes with additional concerns: deteriorating health, increased isolation and coming to terms with a loss of independence. This journey can be frightening and lonely, and prompt discussions like, ‘Can I stay at home?’ ‘How will I manage without help?’ or ‘I can’t afford to pay for the help I need’.
For many people, staying at home as they age is so important. Our homes hold precious memories, and can be the physical manifestation of all that has been achieved throughout a lifetime – the thought of leaving can be stressful and even heartbreaking.
The Better at Home Program can provide services to seniors to help them maintain some independence and stay connected to their communities. James Bay Community Project and Capital City Volunteers are now delivering the Victoria Better at Home Program to seniors in Oak Bay. The Better at Home Program is funded by the Ministry of Health and co-ordinated by the United Way of the Lower Mainland (UWLM).
For seniors 65 years or older living in Oak Bay, the Victoria Better at Home Program can offer light housekeeping services. Fees for Better at Home light housekeeping services are determined on a sliding scale based on the senior’s household income. Some seniors may qualify for 100 per cent subsidy.
If you would like more information about the Better at Home Program in Oak Bay please call the Better at Home co-ordinator at 250- 388-7844 ext. 334, or visit the Better at Home website at www.betterathome.ca.
I’ll leave the final words to a pair of clients to explain the difference programs like Better at Home makes to their lives.
“We got to the time when we knew that we needed help, but we also know we need to stay in our home. Better at Home helps us so we can stay here because this is our home. We know if we didn’t have Better at Home services we would have to move and that would just be so stressful to think about right now with all of the other health issues we are dealing with. We are very grateful people.”
After all, there is no place like home.