There are so many stories that get missed; a cup of coffee with the SNAP coordinator can provide an opportunity for these stories to be heard.

There are so many stories that get missed; a cup of coffee with the SNAP coordinator can provide an opportunity for these stories to be heard.

Growing old is not an easy task. Society inundates us with the benefits of one’s youth and only offer ways to “turn back the clock on aging”, not embrace the aging process and normalize it. As one ages there will be losses of physical abilities, friends, partners, independence and list can go on.

Having support can make the difference in how one manages the challenges they face as they age. As the Senior Needs Action Planner(SNAP) my role offers outreach services to those 55+. What is outreach and why do we need it in such a small community where everyone knows everyone? Outreach workers provide a confidential non-judgmental listening ear with the knowledge of the local resources and support that one could access in their time of need. Some examples of situations or conversations that are common in an outreach role are, grief support, caregiver support, and helping one navigate the health care system. This role can be viewed as ‘the connector” to resources.

Why does a cup of coffee make such a difference? In some cases the older population do not have the same social connections as they once did. It can be that the cup of coffee might be the only social outing that individual has in a week. Social Isolation among seniors is difficult to identify, and more common than people want to recognize. That cup of coffee connects an individual with resources they might not be aware of, such as a being matched with a volunteer for weekly coffee or a walk.

Here are 2 examples of the experience I have had as the Seniors Outreach worker. A daughter called me from out of town, to inquire about her parent living in Whistler. She was unaware of what was available in Whistler and wanted to know how she could start a conversation about the possibility of moving into a retirement home, assisted living, or nursing home. Hard stuff, as an outreach worker, I was able to provide the differences between all the housing options, and some resources on each style. When you are equipped with information, making decisions is less overwhelming and easier to express to the one you love.

Another example of how a Seniors Outreach worker can help is when I was approached by an older adult whose main caregiver was leaving town which would result in them being alone. This situation was causing them to feel worried as they were uncomfortable being alone. They shared their concerns and together we created a plan that would help them feel confident, supported and manage for the time they were living alone. When I met with this person at the end of their time alone and we discussed the past week they were so grateful they were successful I received a big hug.

Each day can bring a new challenge in outreach. April 2012 to April 2013 I have had 154 meetings with seniors in Whistler. Most often the cup of coffee offers a space to speak, a comfortable area to discuss a challenge that someone is facing. Many times I’ve been able to support seniors, as they are unaware of resources available for their health care and support.