The Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health is reviving its "Lonely No More" program.
The program started last year and brought together isolated seniors from all over the area in weekly conference calls. The program was retired for the summer, with the expectation that it would start up again sometime this fall.
Program Lead Sheila Schuehlein said they didn't have any trouble getting volunteers to coordinate the calls but did have problems connecting with seniors.
"The folks that we're looking for often aren't out and about to see our promotion. But we didn't realize how challenging that would be. So we are having some challenges trying to find older adults who aren't out and about and might benefit from a program like this," she said.
They're hoping to start the program in January but are still looking for seniors who are somewhat isolated and might benefit from getting together over the phone with a group once a week.
"We really try to engage everybody, we go around in a circle format, ask folks how they're doing and then open it up to discussion of topics of interest," said Schuehlein.
Any seniors who would like to get in on the conference call can contact Sarah Versteeg at the Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health. Her number is 519-612-1053.
