Have you started your Christmas shopping? Having trouble deciding what your 90+ year old aunt would like this year? Another knick knack or outfit sometimes just doesn’t seem the right thing. Many seniors say “I don’t need anything, don’t give me any gifts.” Yet it’s difficult to recognize a birthday or Christmas without giving a gift.

At Community Care we suggest gift certificates for services that help seniors to live at home. If the senior on your list might benefit from Meals on Wheels, arrange to have meals sent for a few weeks as a trial. Once people try it, they’re often surprised at how much difference having a hot meal delivered can make in their lives.

Perhaps the senior on your list is already on ours — then you can pay for meals, or rides, on their account. What a wonderful gift…the gift of independence.

Community Care also has gift certificates for the Thrift Shop at 153 Main Street, operated by our terrific volunteers. Call the office to arrange to buy one.

How about a membership in Community Care’s Active Living Programs? It helps people get active, make friends and be well. In November, the Zoom webinar topics include “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” with Adam Cavanaugh from the Picton Public Library; “Sleep – Are you Getting Enough” with Tammy Orr & Janice Hall from the Prince Edward Family Health Team; “Nearby and Natural” and “Nature West in Quinte West and Beyond” with Naturalist Terry Sprague; and “Virtual Bingo” with Community Care. Community Care now offers a phone only option for these zoom webinars – no computer is needed. Check our website for schedules and activities. communitycareforseniors.org

Another idea is to make a donation to Community Care for Seniors in honour of a friend or family member. For donations of $20.00 or more, Community Care will send a lovely card to your Senior, telling them you have honoured them in this way. The donor will receive a charitable tax receipt.

Call the office at 613-476-7493 or email [email protected] to find out more about this or any of the initiatives listed here.

-Debbie MacDonald Moynes