With the Covid-19 pandemic disrupting normal social activities, seniors in Elliot Lake are getting together online and expect to soon gather in small in-person groups to discuss issues of concern to seniors, thanks to a local non-profit.
The DiversityCanada Foundation, which organizes several activities for seniors, recently began hosting weekly online meetings open to anyone in Elliot Lake 55 years and over.
Executive Director Celia Sankar says the organization also provided residents in four Elliot Lake Retirement Living buildings with pantry supplies to enable them to hold in-person coffee meetings when public health restrictions are loosened.
Held under the “Golden Years Project”, she adds the activities are designed to bring seniors together to discuss issues of concern ranging from joint bank account abuse to low back pain, to how to apply for programs that help reduce utility bills.
Sankar says while many of the discussions will cover serious issues, there will be time for fun too.
Those wishing to participate in the online meetings can find out more and sign up by visiting the following link: https://GoldenVoices.com/discussions-signup/
As for the in-person meetings, these will be small and involve residents of the partnering facilities.
In addition to these activities, close to 500 local seniors receive twice-weekly emails that present them with recorded discussions with subject area experts as well as everyday seniors on the topics that form the basis of the group online and in-person meetings.
The online gatherings are set to continue weekly right up to the first week of March.
Sankar adds seniors who may be computer newbies and are curious about attending are encouraged to call the organization at 705 848-6194 adding if any senior would like some guidance on computers and the Internet to participate in the online activities, they will do their best to get them up and running.
