Canada Post going the extra mile for rural seniors

Showing their support for programs for seniors are Picton Elks members Floyd Snider, finance committee, presenting Debbie MacDonald Moynes, executive director of Prince Edward Community Care with $500. Jim Broad, chair of the Elks bingo committee shows the Certificate of Support. The Elks Lodge in Picton celebrates 62 years in 2012, the year that also marks 100 years of Elks Lodge in Canada.

Canada Post employees who deliver mail in rural areas of Prince Edward County are ready and willing to go the extra mile for seniors.  Just for the asking, through a service offered by The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association, seniors can be reassured Canada Post employees are keeping a friendly eye on them.

Seniors need only contact Community Care to register for the Rural Route Reassurance Program.  Once requested to do so, Canada Post employees that deliver mail in rural areas will keep an eye open for any signs that a senior might need help.  In that event, contact will be made with Community Care, which would take the appropriate action as pre-arranged with the client.  Orange flyers explaining the program will be sent to all rural routes on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

The year 2012 marks the 28th anniversary of this partnership program.  The Rural Route Reassurance Program is an example of the spirit of co-operation between Canada Post Corporation, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), and The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association.  Debbie MacDonald Moynes, executive director of Community Care enthused, “working together, all the partners help make Prince Edward County a safer place for seniors to stay living at home in the community.”

“Canada Post is once again pleased to take part in this very worthwhile program,” said Tom Creech, Communications Officer with Canada Post in London. “We have always had very strong presence in rural Canada and this fits in nicely with our role of providing communications services through a variety of means to all Canadians.”

The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association provides Community Support Services to seniors live at home.  Services include Telephone Reassurance, transportation to medical and other appointments, hot and frozen Meals on Wheels delivered to the door, dinners in central locations, foot care clinics, respite, house cleaning and maintenance and assistance with forms.  A flyer explaining the Rural Route Reassurance Program will soon be delivered to all who reside on a rural mail route in Prince Edward.  For information on these and other programs call Prince Edward Community Care at 613-476-7493, stop in at the office located at The Armoury, 206 Main Street, Picton, check the website at www.communitycareforseniors.org or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/communitycareforseniors