Be a Good Neighbour

As someone who is in regular contact with seniors and other agencies that help them, she said this winter has been particularly hard on the aging population because of the snowy, icy weather.

“A lot of people won’t leave their homes right now,” she said. “The ice and snow are brutal.”

Pictou County Senior’s Outreach has been hosting lunch and learns in various communities as take-out meals during the pandemic and this gives volunteers an opportunity to check on people in their neighbourhood.

MacLellan encourages others to do the same and be a good neighbour. She said if you know of someone living alone, call them or knock on their door to see if they need anything.

“Just look around your neighbourhood and look at seniors in your area and say hello,” she said. “Have a conversation and leave your phone number so they can reach you if they need you.”

There are services available that can help people connect with others:

The program is a combined effort between Valley View Villa and the Pictou County Council of Seniors. Together it provides community outreach programs for seniors who live in their own homes and require assistance.

Volunteers are on hand to answer your questions or assist with your inquiries. We have resources and information available on many services. Some of the services available are low-cost transportation, in-home support, handyman, income tax, etc.

Hours of operations;

Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Phone 902-752-8400 or email marymaclellan100@hotmail.com

Nova Scotia 211 offers 24/7 navigational assistance in over 100 languages, connecting Nova Scotians experiencing unmet social or human needs with organizations able to meet those needs.

It is free and confidential. Through information and referrals, Nova Scotia 211 can help people to local community groups, non-profit, and government organizations. It is for all ages for people seeking information about the community and social services for themselves or someone else.

Call 211

Text 211

email 211-help@ns.211.ca

Call 1-855-466-4994

If you or a loved one is feeling isolated or lonely due to COVID-19, contact us at 1-833-729-0144 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Atlantic time to register.

We will then have trained Red Cross volunteers to contact you who will then arrange to call you at regular mutually agreed times in English or French.

We will do our best to accommodate calls in languages other than English and French but unfortunately cannot guarantee this.

If desired, we can also provide contacts for other support services in your community.

Are you experiencing challenges right now?

Are you feeling lonely, anxious, and depressed?

Do you just need to talk to someone?

Call the Warm Line and its friendly and caring volunteers are ready to listen.

Call 1-833-927-6546

Warm Line Hours:

Mondays – 1-5 p.m.

Tuesdays – 1-8 p.m,

Wednesdays – 4-8 p.m.

Thursdays 1-5 p.m.

This is a resource for all Nova Scotians, operated by the Shelburne County Mental Health and Wellness Association. For more information, visit www.shelburnecountymentalhealth.com.