County mail carriers do more than deliver the mail

Mark Evard, National Director for CUPW presents a cheque to Debbie MacDonald Moynes from Community Care to support the Rural Route Reassurance Program. Back Row (from left) Kyle Copeland, Laurie Istead, Andrea Ferguson (hidden), Pam Peeling, Heather Morahan, Peter McCarthy, Mark Evard, Debbie MacDonald Moynes. Front, from left, are Misty Gregg and Wayne Martin.

Local members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have reconfirmed their willingness to continue to keep a friendly eye on local seniors who sign up for a Rural Route Reassurance Program.

The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association is one of few agencies offering the reassurance program. The local Rural and Suburban Mail Couriers, members of CUPW, donated $3,000 to Community Care to continue the program’s services.

2017 marks 33 years that CUPW, Canada Post and Community Care have partnered to provide this reassurance program.

“Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers in Prince Edward County do more than just deliver the mail,” said Mark Evard, National Director for Canadian Union of Postal Workers. “They have kept a watchful eye on seniors’ homes in the County for more than three decades. CUPW is happy to support the Rural Route Reassurance Program and the work of the Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association. This is a model of community cooperation that can be replicated across the country and built upon. In countries like France and Japan, mail carriers check-in on seniors every day and report any issues to local agencies. Extending and enhancing the reach of Canadian postal services can help seniors stay in their homes longer.”

County seniors who would like to participate may contact Community Care to register for the Rural Route Reassurance Program. Once requested to do so, Canada Post employees who 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.

“Working together, all the partners help make Prince Edward County a safer place for seniors to stay living at home in the community,” said Debbie MacDonald Moynes, executive director at Community Care for Seniors.

The association provides numerous community support services to help seniors live at home – including Rural Route and 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, home maintenance and assistance with forms.

For information on these and other programs call Prince Edward Community Care at 613-476-7493, stop in at the office located at 74A King Street, Picton, check the website at www.communitycareforseniors.org or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/communitycareforseniors