Community Care offers regular meals for seniors at the noon hour throughout Prince Edward County. The goal is to establish or re-establish relationships along with eating a hot, nutritious meal provided at a reasonable price. This program was established over 40 years ago and has contributed to the success of many seniors as they exercise their choice to live in the community. Studies show that successful aging includes the maintenance of social networks and that’s one of the things that these events accomplish.

The Public Health Agency of Canada conducted a study on seniors and social networks. The researchers found that seniors who are isolated socially are likely to have a wide range of health problems and risk factors which further limit their social support networks and often those of their informal caregivers as well. Just because family members live nearby, it can’t be assumed that they’re providing needed social support.

The study also found that transportation problems can create major barriers to social contact, recreation and active living for seniors in both urban and rural locations. Being house-bound can be a barrier to receiving services and educational programs that could contribute to the creation of a social network. For this reason, we offer transportation to the Seniors Luncheon Social events for seniors. For a ride to the Seniors Luncheon Social (or to a medical appointment or essential shopping) call Community Care at 613-476-7493.

And finally, the study report showed that geographic isolation, social isolation, low income and lack of access to support networks often go hand-in-hand; people who have suffered a recent loss or change of lifestyle are often in situations of high risk and may need help re-building social structures in their everyday lives; and there is a dramatic increase in the proportion of Canadian seniors living on their own.

These events for seniors can lift people out of isolation and help them establish or re-establish necessary social networks. The other reason that seniors can attend is just to have a good meal at a reasonable cost. We ask that you bring your own dishes so that the volunteers don’t spend their time washing up, rather they can listen to the speaker and interact with the seniors.

All events are at noon and the March menu is Scottish minced ground beef stew, potatoes, vegetables, dessert, bread & butter and coffee or tea and will be catered by Bill Grieve, the chef with Wheel House and Occasions Catering. The cost is $10 per person.

There will be a presentation by OPP community safety officer Patrick Menard on winter driving and/or frauds and scams. Upcoming: Wednesday, March 6 at Picton Town Hall; Friday, March 8 at Consecon Legion; Wednesday, March 20 at Milford Town Hall; Friday, March 22 in Hillier Town Hall. If you’re a County Seniors Centre member there’s a special meal at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at North Marysburgh Town Hall. Please call by noon the day prior to register, 613-476-7493.

– Debbie MacDonald Moynes