Community paramedics deliver food and information to seniors

Rob Woollard, Advanced Care Paramedic, and Matthew Montgomery, Loyalist College Paramedic student, delivered hot and nutritious meals and shared information on their programs and services with seniors in Picton this week.

The Eastern Ontario Community Paramedic Program (EOCPP) took part in delivering Meals on Wheels in Picton this week.

Rob Woollard, Advanced Care Paramedic, and Matthew Montgomery, Loyalist College Paramedic student, delivered hot and nutritious meals and shared information on their programs and services with seniors.

“The opportunity to deliver Meals on Wheels is helpful to Community Paramedics,” said Woollard. “Interacting with local seniors, letting people know that we are here for them, and educating people on how to access our services is beneficial to the community.”

The EOCPP and The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association share a goal to keep people out of the hospital and to help seniors live at home.

“Community Paramedics can provide continuous monitoring to individuals with various ailments, to help them feel safe and comfortable living at home. Referrals for paramedic support can be made through various health organizations and practitioners,” said Woollard. Community Care is one of those health organizations.

Woollard has been with the EOCPP for about a year and previously was a paramedic in the Picton region.

He says while the pace is a bit different, the work is just as important.

“I like making house-calls to the community and the non-urgency part of being a Community Paramedic. We really get to know the people more,” says Woollard.

Montgomery, who is putting in his hours to become a paramedic, was riding along with EOCPP for the first time.

“I want to be someone who can help and serve the community, and act in a situation that will make a difference,” he said.

Prince Edward County is home to one of the highest senior populations in Ontario. With the help of more than 400 volunteers, Community care offers a variety of services to help seniors live home.

Last year, County seniors benefitted from 10,704 meals delivered to their door by dedicated volunteers.

The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association offers services such as hot & frozen Meals on Wheels, transportation to medical appointments, curbside pick-up meals for seniors, foot care, help with forms (including Income Tax), respite, home maintenance including yard and garden work, rural route reassurance, telephone reassurance programs, grocery delivery and a full range of active living programs.

The agency is partly funded by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry for Seniors & Accessibility, the County of Prince Edward and is supported by donations and community fundraising efforts, such as Community Care’s Thrift Shop at 153 Main Street. The Community Care office is located at 74 King Street in Picton.

For more information call Community Care at 613-476-7493 or visit the website at www.communitycareforseniors.org