Covid-19 Call

Answering the Call during Covid-19

Serving our Seniors

Inclusion | Service | Well Being

Report 2020 Special NAIC

on

Modified Activities during Covid-19

seniors facing isolation feeling left out!

As per our findings in the South Asian community, hundreds of seniors are facing isolation in Mississauga and Brampton.

Such social isolation results in adverse health consequences including depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity at this critical stage of life.

Most seniors facing isolation live alone and largely in multi-dwelling units.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, seniors are left out in apartments alone and their loved ones cannot see them due to strict health guidelines. As they are more vulnerable to infection, they are avoided.

There is urgent need to communicate with them and give them reassurance that they are not left out and someone is just a call away.

we need to do more for our seniors there is a disconnect

Most seniors are unaware or unsure how to access new benefits or Government programs during this pandemic.

Various Government of Canada programs are announced but the there is no channel to keep them in loop. Seniors don't know how to access one-time payments. Every senior should be guided every step of the way to apply and benefit from various programs. The benefits should reach to seniors through proper execution and guidance.

NAIC will guide them at every step so they realize the benefits.

Our volunteers will apprise seniors of various ongoing government programs and initiatives. Right from application to calculation of credits, we will provide professional help - respecting their privacy while following the health and safety guidelines.

seniors our mission vision Seniors matter. They contribute to society.

Like any younger person, they shop, they use services (which employ people), and they pay taxes. They also volunteer; in fact, many organizations would be hard pressed to function without their older volunteers.

NAIC works with seniors. We acknowledge seniors' contributions. This helps make ours a more age-inclusive society that does not pit one generation against the other.

We understand the benefits of being social. We value health benefits of social interaction in older adults. Staying socially active and maintaining our relationships are an important part of healthy aging.

One of the main issues is the negligence from the younger generation. Old people need supervision, the laxity to understand the needs and worries of elders make them appear strangers to the younger generation, who later regard them as a burden.

Old people are subject to abuse from family members over property dispute, some of them are even forced to sell their belongings and live in penury till death. Many of them are too scared to express themselves or fear being humiliated by their loved ones.

Elders deserve a life with good health, dignity, economic independence and finally a peaceful death. They long for care, love and affection.

Understanding their needs and concerns, will ensure their good health. Lending an emotional support to the elders keep them jovial, which is inevitably the ideal way to live a healthy life. However, for many people, providing care and attention to elders is not possible due to work priorities.

NAIC values seniors. Our volunteers are ready to lend a helping hand.

The least we can do to them is to offer respect, moral support and a sense of empowerment by including them, serving them and educating them about the fast-changing digital world.

Manmohan Singh President, National Association of Indo-Canadians

we have modified our activities

National Association of Indo-Canadians has modified its activities to meet the urgent need for direct service delivery.

We have responded to increased demand for vital goods and services as a result of COVID-19.

Our staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly to assist seniors, particularly vulnerable seniors, to make them feel included.

We believe our existence lies in realigning with new Covid-19 realty and thus we have a new program which keeps seniors in centre. NAIC has a mandate from the government of Canada under the NHSP program and we were able to swiftly modify our direct service delivery to seniors.

Despite challenges and loss of volunteers in our sector, the NAIC has been well-staffed to deliver new vital services. We have recruited and trained volunteers to deliver services required to respond to COVID-19.

We believe community awareness is of paramount importance and we continue to inform and educate our seniors about COVID-19.

realigning our services for seniors direct service delivery to seniors

The National Association of Indo-Canadians is dedicated to serve our seniors, particularly vulnerable seniors. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been serving seniors in Mississauga and Brampton.

We are in constant communication with elderly seniors and most vulnerable ones over the phone and we continue to be their moral support and apprise them of what's happening and the ongoing govt initiatives to tackle this pandemic.

We are delivering grocery and pharmacy items for seniors twice a week in the City of Mississauga, Brampton and Scarborough.

We have hired 2 staff members for Brampton and Scarborough as we don't have volunteers available at this moment. We understand the NAIC will pay them as per staff wages guidelines.

As per of our new initiative we reached out to seniors living in apartments or those self- isolating for running errands. We assist them in little things such as setting up their devices, etc.

The NAIC will continue to promote the revised activities in a local newspaper and on social media sites or bulletin boards in apartments so we can expand our services to more seniors.

Helping seniors with technology to keep them connected with families and loved ones and enable them attend special occasions with them using Zoom and GoogleMeet.

resourceful cost-effective prudent we are ready to go

NAIC FY2019 INCOME & EXPENSE

81 %

$49.2K

of expenses go directly to seniors programs

$41.8K

EXPENSE

INCOME SPONSORSHIPS

58%

SENIORS PROGRAMS

81% 2

MEMBERSHIPS

15%

ADMINISTRATION

12%

CONTRIBUTIONS

10%

FUNDRAISING

7%

OTHER INCOME

17%

Our dedicated volunteers are ready to rock and roll Despite threat to availability of volunteers during the pandemic, NAIC has been able to get the services of many dedicated volunteers who are helping organize our modified activities. We have over 30 volunteers ready to take a project spanning all across the GTA. There is list of newcomers to Canada who lost their jobs in the retail industry during the pandemic ready to take paid positions.

naic making impact direct benefits to seniors

Over 30 seniors weekly regularly depend on us for their grocery/pharmacy needs during this pandemic.

We have been delivering grocery and pharmacy to seniors regularly in Kingsbridge condominiums and other buildings in Mississauga and Brampton, where most seniors live alone. Some of them are in vulnerable conditions with a disconnect from outside world. We have reached out to them and now they have a familiarly with our staff and we are just a call away. We also set up their medical appointments and save their time in transporting them.

Running errands for seniors give them a worry-free day.

We know how big a toll this pandemic is making on the mental health of our seniors. Some seniors are not able to do basic things in life. Our volunteers are helping and they can stay indoor with peace of mind.

We are doing paper work to get them benefits.

Once the government programs related to seniors are announced, we apprise seniors of these initiatives and help fill out applications on their behalf to apply for the credit they deserve to realize.

staying connected Seniors not missing a milestone

We have helped seniors stay connected with friends and families in this digital world.

Mastering digital technology has become a key component of what it means to fully participate in society. If we do not provide technology access and training to older adults, we shut them out from society, worsening an already worrisome trend of isolation and loneliness among the elderly.

Our seniors don't miss out on milestones any more.

With Covid-19 situations not ending, many occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and funerals are attended by seniors on Zoom and GoogleMeet and some seniors are able to do that with a little help from us. Elders can use online tools to connect with friends and family via messaging platforms, video chat, and social media even if they can no longer physically visit them.

Technology can help seniors continue ethno-cultural programs.

South Asian seniors, especially women, attend ethno-cultural events such as "satsang" and also like to access Yoga classes and here lies our role to help set them up.

what lies ahead dedicated to seniors

NAIC will continue to work for South Asian seniors Our organization will develop programs to counter abuse, fraud, racialism, stereotypes, stigma impact, mental and brain health issues and neglect of our seniors.

We value the fact that health and wellness pays particular attention to social determinant of culture.

Safe environment within households is very much essential for seniors. We have identified the factors leading to various types of elderly abuse and the conditions that contribute to it within the South Asian community in the GTA. Each seniors needs emotional attention and care and we aim to help our seniors attain personal empowerment along with good brain health to help them age healthy.

Disclaimer: All images used in this report are for representational purposes only. We value the privacy of our seniors and we strictly follow the health and safety guidelines set by the government during this pandemic.

Grocery / pharmacy delivery for Seniors During this pandemic, we are committed to serving our seniors.

If you know of any senior living alone or self-isolating, please call or email us.

905-568-1400 info@thenaic.org This service is absolutely free to all seniors on first-come-first-servebasis and provided by National Association of Indo-Canadians (NAIC), a community organization dedicated to serving the seniors. www.thenaic.org

Serving South Asian seniors during COVID-19