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HIGHLIGHTS AND COMMUNITY LINKS NEWS
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Stay up to date with provincial COVID-19 news and restrictions and vaccination information at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
The Rural Transportation Association is offering $5 round trip door-to-door rides to vaccination appointments.
The community-based member network includes rural service provider organizations around the province that all offer door-to-door rides at reasonable prices.
Finding a ride is as easy as 1, 2, 3:
- Pre-book your vaccination appointment according to the directions given by the Department of Health.
- Choose a provider from the list.
- Visit your provider’s site and follow their ride-booking process.
Round trip cost is $5. Most providers require booking at least 24 hours in advance.
Find a ride at: https://ruralrides.ca/find-a-ride/
Effective May 1, 2021 ambulance fees for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 or presented with COVID-19 symptoms and require emergency transport to hospital for their symptoms will be waived. If you have received an EHS bill but feel your ambulance transport was related to COVID-19, you may be eligible for waiver. Contact the EHS Billing Office at 1-888-280-8884 or ambulancebilling@emci.ca
Additionally, the Ambulance Fee Assistance Program will continue to be available to people experiencing financial hardship. For more information click here
Community Links is Recruiting Volunteer Board Members
Joining the Community Links Board of Directors offers an opportunity to inspire change and provide governance to the organization and its members. You will influence Community Links in dynamic ways and help ensure older Nova Scotians are seen, heard and valued. If you or someone you know may be interested, find the full details at https://nscommunitylinks.ca/now-recruiting-board-members/, or contact Executive Director Helen MacDonnell at director@nscommunitylinks.ca or
902-422-0914.
Community Links is seeking older adults to join an Advisory Committee to advise on all aspects of a photovoice project.
This project is based on a photovoice project Community Links partnered with the PEACH Research Unit at the Dalhousie School of Planning in 2020.
With funding from the NS Department of Seniors Age Friendly Communities Grant, Community Links is embarking on an expanded version of the project that will include an Advisory Committee consisting of older adults.
You can see videos of the work here: https://www.youtube.com/watch? (overview) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne-exHiH-Yo (results)
The committee will bring the perspective of older adults to advise on branding, recruitment strategy, engagement session development, photovoice analysis, as well as photobook development and distribution to community.
Find more information here.
Healthy Aging CORE Canada has launched.
Healthy Aging CORE (Collaborative Online Resources & Education) Canada is an interactive online platform designed to connect local, provincial, and national non-profit, government, and academic organizations and coalitions that focus on programs, services, policy, practices, and research aimed at supporting older Canadians to age in place in their homes and communities. Check CORE Canada out at https://healthyagingcore.ca/
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The Government of Canada plans to increase Old Age Security for Canadians 75 and older. A one-time $500 payment in direct financial assistance will be issued through OAS to seniors aged 75+ in August 2021.
The Salvation Army’s Home Energy Assistance Top-up (HEAT) Fund provides support for Nova Scotians in need by assisting with the cost of heating their homes. Learn more, determine eligibility, and apply here.
The Nova Scotia COVID Relief (NSCR) Fund was established by the Government of Nova Scotia from the Federal Safe Restart Agreement in April 2021. The $3.5 million fund supports low-income Nova Scotians struggling to pay their home heating or electric bill as a result of income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund provides one-time assistance of up to $400.
You may apply if you live in Nova Scotia and meet the following criteria
- You have an overdue amount owing on your heating or electric bill
- Your household has been impacted financially due to COVID-19
- You live within the following low-income thresholds;
- $29,000 for one-person households,
- $47,703 for two to four person households,
- $67,937 for households of five or more individuals.
For more information and for the application form click here. If you have applied or received assistance from the HEAT Fund, you are still eligible to receive assistance from the NSCR Fund.
Free energy efficiency upgrades are available to income-qualified homeowners through
HomeWarming. These environmentally friendly upgrades will help eligible homeowners save money on their power bills and provide extra insulation and draft-proofing. Learn more, find out if you are eligible, and sign up on their website.
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A Community Podcast Project for Older Women is inviting women age 65+ living with financial insecurity to participate in a research project. Participants will be brought together to take part in ten weeks of online workshops to produce up to three pilot podcast episodes.
If you or someone you know if interested in participating email Kelly O’Neil at x2019epk@stfx.ca or visit https://www.olderwomenpodcasting.com/
The Province of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors are proud to invite everyone interested in aging well to attend the Silver Economy Summit 2021, a virtual conference May 27 and 28, 2021. There is no charge to attend.
The Silver Economy Summit will showcase the positive impact older adults have in the province, help participants understand the trends, needs and interests, and highlight the opportunities that this growing demographic presents.
Keynote speakers include Dr. Olive Bryanton, M.Ed, Ph.D, a PEI-based educator and advocate for older adults; Dalhousie Medical School assistant dean Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed; and motivational speaker and entertainer Terry Kelly. The Summit will conclude with a “call to action”, led by Engage Nova Scotia, to ensure these important topics live beyond the conference.
Click here to register and for more information.
PEACH Research Unit is excited to introduce Candid Access, an online map of crowdsourced photos and information on accessible and inaccessible public spaces across Nova Scotia.
Community members are invited to share photos to the Candid Access map.
By contributing to the Candid Access map, you will be contributing to research that aims to improve and encourage accessible community design. You will also be helping build awareness and public knowledge of accessibility in Nova Scotia through a publicly available online resource.
Find more information on this research at About Candid Access. You can also see the Terms and Conditions . Participation in Candid Access should be voluntary; privacy will be protected by receiving all submissions anonymously. Email peach@dal.ca for more information.
Looking for an opportunity to serve your community and build your resume?
People from all communities and walks of life are needed to serve on Nova Scotia’s agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs).
Participating on an ABC is an opportunity to have input on issues that matter while developing skills and experience.
Applications are being accepted for a wide variety of volunteer opportunities with more than 190 ABCs, including the Accessibility Advisory Board, Criminal Code Review Board, Labour Board, Regional Library Boards and both the Police (RCMP) Advisory Boards and Municipal Boards of Police Commissioners.
All Nova Scotia residents are invited to apply, and diverse perspectives are encouraged. Applications for some opportunities are due by May 25, 2021. Applications for many other positions are accepted year-round.
To learn more about current opportunities and apply, visit https://novascotia.ca/abc or call 902-424-4877 or 1-866-206-6844 (toll free).
Nova Scotia Health is recruiting volunteers to join the Patient Family Advisor (PFA) team. As valued members of the organization, PFAs provide insight into patient, family, and community experiences with the healthcare system. Their input helps shape how care is provided.
Applying to be a Patient Family Advisor is easy and requires no special skills or knowledge. Fill out an application online at http://surveys.novascotia.ca/pfa. To learn more about the opportunity, please visit https://www.nshealth.ca/pfa or contact Michael Wheatley at michael.wheatley@nshealth.ca or call 902-240-4785.
With support from the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors, Aging2.0 Halifax has launched a Seniors Virtual Adviser Program. This free program matches senior-led businesses and non-profits with experienced Virtual Advisers, who will help these organizations recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and thrive. Learn more about the program and register here:
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COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATES
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Senior Safety Coordinators work in communities to support isolated and vulnerable older adults. Find contact information for a Senior Safety Coordinator here.
211 is a toll-free helpline that connects callers to community and social services and is available 24/7 in 140+ languages. For non-emergency, non-medical help, call 211 or visit www.ns.211.ca.
Service Canada can assist community members with questions about
Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS).
Complete an e-Services form and a Service Canada employee will call back. Outreach Support Centre workers are available Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM - 4 PM at 1-877-464-2657.
Caregivers NS recognizes and values the efforts of friend and family caregivers through support groups, advocacy and services available online, via the phone, and in person. Visit https://caregiversns.org/how-we-help/ for more information or to contact a coordinator.
Stay up to date with Federal and Provincial information and updates on COVID-19 and please, wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay safely apart.
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