Letters, phone calls and meals: How people in Metro Vancouver have pivoted to help isolated seniors

Taken from the CBC article: Letters, phone calls and meals: How people in Metro Vancouver have pivoted to help isolated seniors. 

Since March, when a state of emergency was declared in B.C. due to rising COVID-19 cases, older adults have been the most affected by the pandemic. They are most at risk for developing serious and deadly complications from the coronavirus. Many have also been forced to isolate at home as a measure to try to stay safe. Anthony Kupferschmidt knew that would have unintended consequences for the 1,300 people connected to the services provided by the WESN, which he runs. He said more than 60 per cent of seniors living in the West End live alone.

To have a meaningful check-in with isolated seniors on the North Shore, the Silver Harbour Seniors Activity Centre has put its extensive in-house meal program on wheels. It delivers around 600 meal bags a week to seniors in the neighbourhood — and it's not just food that's included. Annwenn Loverin, who runs the centre, has connected with volunteers in the community to produce cards and messages of hope that go in the food bags, along with information seniors might need to stay safe. It's "a reminder that seniors are valued and loved in our community," she said. 

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