County Chats, food, fitness, police trends and free income tax among March events for seniors

Active Living Programs for March for seniors 60+ are available five days/week as Prince Edward Community Care is slowly and safely reintroducing in-person activities. Also on offer is more than 50 online events each month for seniors 60+. Online Zoom fitness and arts classes along with socials are held Monday to Friday. Visit the community care for seniors website for details.

March Zoom webinar topics include: “History of the Women’s Institute and highlights of the branches in PEC” with Evelyn Peck; “How you can improve the environment in your own back yard, a case of native plants” with Gail Walker; “Come Fly With Me, A look at Prince Edward County and area from the air” with naturalist Terry Sprague; “Downtown Revitalization of Prince Edward County and the Thrive project” with Karen Palmer and Katy McIntrye; “New Seasonal Recipe” with Sarah Sandham, Registered Dietician; “Graveyards and Gallows” with Jessica Chase; “PEC OPP: 2022 Year in Review – significant policing trends and issues relating to public safety in The County” with Staff Sgt, John Hatch. Closed captioning is available for the webinar events listed above.  For a complete schedule of presentations and to register see the Activity Calendar at www.communitycareforseniors.org or call 613-476-7493 for more information. Get active, make friends, be well!

County Chats – Telephone Social Monday, March 6th and 21st at 11am
Community Care for Seniors is hosting live telephone chats for 30 minutes. The topics include, “Do you remember when?” and “Conversation with PEC Museums Curator”. A computer is not required for this event. For information or to register call Prince Edward Community Care at 613- 476-7493, email info@communitycareforseniors.org

Free Income Tax Program
Starting March 1, Prince Edward Community Care volunteers complete 2023 income tax returns. They complete returns for past years anytime. This program supports seniors who live in Prince Edward County. If you are a senior 60+ whose single income is $35,000 or lower or a couple whose household income is $45,000 or lower, you may be eligible for help through this program. Volunteers have been trained by Canada Revenue Agency to complete Income Tax Returns for eligible clients. Volunteers do not complete income tax and benefit returns for: deceased persons; resident of Long-term Care homes; bankrupt individuals; for those with more than $1000 of investment income; for individuals with capital gains/losses; or for people with business or rental income and expenses. The Community Care office building is open by appointment only. To get your Income Tax done call 613-476-7493 for more information.

Curbside pickup meal for seniors on March 23rd 
Prince Edward Community Care continues the monthly curbside pick-up of meals on Thursday, March 23rd, 2023. Chef Bill Grieve of Wheelhouse and Occasions catering is preparing a meal of homemade soup, roast leg of chicken, potatoes, vegetables, roll and chocolate cake for dessert. The cost is $18/meal and seniors 60+ can order by calling the Community Care office at 613-476-7493. All meals must be paid for in advance. Meals will be packaged hot and ready to be picked up at The View Restaurant at the Picton Golf Club. Only those who pre-order and pay will be served. To order, or for more information, call 613-476-7493. Orders will be taken until March 20th.

StrongerU Powers, Fitness Series – registration is now open
This class follows the physical activity guidelines for older adults. There is a focus on the components of cardiorespiratory, strength and flexibility to improve one’s overall health. The goal is to help participants stay healthy and strong so they can continue to do the things they love. The series runs from Wednesday, March 8th to Wednesday, April 26th. The cost of this 8-week series is $40 and it will be offered in-person at the Bloomfield Town Hall every Wednesday from 10:00-11:00am. For more information or to register, call Community Care at 613-476-7493.

Prince Edward Community Care office will be closed for Family Day on Monday, Feb. 20th. Meals on Wheels will go out as usual on that day. Community Care’s Thrift Shop will be closed for Family Day on Monday, Feb. 20th for family day. The shop will be open as usual on Tuesday, Feb. 21st at 10 a.m.

Seniors … borrow a tablet to get involved with online programming
Prince Edward Community Care and the PEC Library partner to make tablets available for seniors to participate in online programming. Training and support for seniors is provided by Libraries of PEC. For info or to borrow a tablet from the library call Community Care at 613-476-7493 or contact the Picton Library at 613-476-5962.

Volunteers Needed at Thrift Shop – particularly for Saturdays
Prince Edward Community Care needs volunteers to help in the Thrift Shop at 153 Main Street in Picton. If you have three hours per week (10 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.) then give Community Care a call.  No experience is necessary.  A full orientation is offered.  There are always experienced volunteers on site.  All pandemic safety measures are in place. Anyone wishing to work on the cash desk or to sort and price is welcome.  To start the conversation about becoming a volunteer call 613-476-7493.

Foot Care Clinics accepting new clients
Prince Edward Community Care operates Foot Care Clinics in Picton, Wellington and the newly re-opened Rossmore location. Infection control protocols for clients and staff are closely followed. Professionally trained nurses provide foot care in a clinic setting.  New clients are welcome. For more information call Prince Edward Community Care at 613-476-7493.

Rides to medical appointments
Prince Edward Community Care offers an escorted transportation program that helps to maximize the independence of seniors with friendly volunteer drivers who closely follow all pandemic safety protocols to keep everyone safe.  This program provides rides for seniors 60+ to medical appointments wherever they need to go including local or to destinations further away.  Rides for essential shopping are also provided.  The fee is reasonable for the clients and is based on .50/km.  The volunteer waits with the client while they are in the appointment.  Volunteer drivers are needed with a particular focus on providing local rides for seniors in Picton.  Volunteers are contacted 2-3 days in advance of a drive as same-day drives are not provided.  Call 613-476-7493 to start the conversation about volunteering.

Groceries, medicines, & library books can be delivered
For seniors 60+ who have an assessed need, Community Care volunteers will pick up and deliver groceries, medicines, library books and other essentials. To arrange for an intake with a staff member call Prince Edward Community Care at 613-476-7493.

Prince Edward Community Care’s Thrift Shop at 153 Main Street accepting donations
The Thrift Shop accepts donations during regular hours of Mondays 1-4 p.m. and Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shoppers will find a full line of clothing for the whole family including shoes and accessories as well as furniture, housewares, dishes, books, sports equipment, linens, toys and much more. Pandemic protocols are in place for the safety of all. For updates and sales check Prince Edward Community Care’s Thrift Shop Facebook page. Visit 153 Main Street in Picton regularly as new stock goes on the shelves on a daily basis. Shop, donate, volunteer!

Delivery to the door of nutritious frozen meals for seniors
This program is for all seniors 60+. Delivery of frozen meals can make it easier on those days when meal preparation is difficult. These frozen meals are low sodium, high quality and tasty. They can be heated in a microwave or conventional oven. Prince Edward Community Care offers frozen meals to seniors 60+ who live anywhere in Prince Edward County. For information or to refer someone, call 613-476-7493.

Hot Meals on Wheels – available five days/week
This program has been operating in Prince Edward County for over 40 years and is open to any senior 60+ who needs support. Delivery to the door of a hot nutritious noon-time meal. Now available up to five days/week anywhere in Prince Edward County. Receiving a hot meal at the door means seniors have a regular check-in to help them stay safe and well in their own home. All pandemic safety protocols are in place. Meals are prepared in fully inspected kitchens by professional food service staff. Call Prince Edward Community Care at 613-476-7493 for info on this & other services.  Call 613-476-7493.

Help around the home for seniors – Home Maintenance
Seniors who need help with outside work can call Prince Edward Community Care. The agency has carefully screened workers at reasonable rates. Help is available for outdoor work such as fall clean up, and snow shovelling. Pandemic safety protocols are in place. For information on this service call the Prince Edward Community Care office at 613-476-7493.

Telephone Reassurance Program
Prince Edward Community Care has supportive volunteers that can offer companionship, encouragement and warm friendly conversation to seniors to just chat, to help with the uncertainty of the pandemic, provide reassurance, and to help keep people safe. A regular phone call can go a long way to maintaining independence. To participate, call Prince Edward Community Care at 613-476-7493.

Friendly Visiting Volunteers
Prince Edward Community Care for seniors is looking for volunteers to visit seniors on the phone. To volunteer call 613-476-7493 and start the conversation. www.communitycareforseniors.org

Thrift Shop Gift Certificates
Purchase gift certificates in $5 denomination to be used at Community Care’s Thrift Shop, 153 Main Street in Picton. Get the gift certificates by calling the Prince Edward Community Care office at 613-476-7493 or email info@communitycareforseniors.org

Gift Ideas at Prince Edward Community Care
Honour someone with a donation to Prince Edward Community Care for seniors in their name.  A card acknowledging your donation will be sent to the recipient. Gift Certificates are available for Community Care programming such as foot care or Meals on Wheels or for buying goods at the Thrift Shop. Call the office at 613-476-7493.

Ontario Energy Support Program
Do you struggle with your hydro bill?  The Ontario Energy Support Program (OESP) is a program that can provide help for eligible low-income seniors.  An eligible household ($28,000 or less for one person or $28,001 – $39,000 for a two person household) can receive between $35-$75 monthly credits on their hydro bill.  Staff at Prince Edward Community Care can answer questions for seniors 60+ and help submit the OESP application.  Seniors who have received Renewal and Information letters from OESP, can arrange for Community Care staff to help facilitate this renewal process.  Please call 613-476-7493 or go to www.OntarioElectricitySupport.ca for more information.

Support Prince Edward Community Care
Your monetary donation will help seniors in The County live at home. Contact Prince Edward Community Care at 613-476-7493 or email at info@communitycareforseniors.org or www.communitycareforseniors.org Online donations can be made on the website.

Rural Route Reassurance Program
This free program is available through a partnership with Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Prince Edward Community Care can arrange for your mail courier en route to keep a watchful eye on your home to help keep you safe. This free service offers added safety and security to those living on rural routes. To participate, call Prince Edward Community Care at 613-476-7493.

House cleaning for seniors
Seniors who need help with laundry, meal preparation, and light cleaning can arrange for carefully screened workers to come to the home for a reasonable fee. All pandemic safety protocols are in place. Contact the Prince Edward Community Care office at 613-476-7493 for more information. www.communitycareforseniors.org

Seniors’ Support TV Show
Watch “Seniors’ Support” on YourTV. All episodes have interesting guests on topics seniors care about. This show is co-produced by the Executive Directors of Prince Edward Community Care and Community Care for South Hastings. Check your local YourTV cable listings for when it will be shown. www.communitycreforseniors.org

Volunteers Needed
Volunteer opportunities available now: help out at Prince Edward Community Care’s Thrift Shop for three hours a week; volunteers to visit seniors; people to deliver Meals on Wheels, especially in Wellington; reception desk volunteers in Picton; Transportation Program, Volunteer drivers needed as well. Flexible scheduling. All pandemic protocols in place. Call 613-476-7493 and start the conversation about volunteering.