With the maze of programs available through government initiatives, seniors and their caregivers may sometimes find it difficult, frustrating or confusing to access information.
On October 1st however, seniors had cause to celebrate. Not only was it International Day of the Older Person, that was started by the United Nations 30 years ago to recognize the contributions of older persons to society, but it was also the official launch in Southampton (Saugeen Shores) of ASK.
(L) Dave Wenn (Peer Support Leader), Sandy Pusztay, Deb Fortney (Board Chair), volunteer Carolyn Wenn, Ros Brooks, Sybil Mercer, Mayor Luke Charbonneau, Councillor Cheryl Grace, Connie Barker, volunteers Betty Ross & Cathy Brown (absent Mary Hanlon)Seniors ASK program (Advocacy, Solutions, Knowledge) is all about seniors helping seniors. Through the Active Lifestyles Centre Grey Bruce (ALCGB), the program has been developed to provide free information and to encourage healthy lifestyles and independence for older adults, working in collaboration with Ontario 211 and supportive businesses and organizations.
The Senior friendly, Senior focused ASK program has several community hubs throughout Grey Bruce and now in Saugeen Shores. Located at the seniors’ Chantry Centre in Southampton, senior volunteers will now be available to answer questions or to refer issues to an experienced party who can. Whether it’s to complete a government or pension form, issues with wills or real estate, all issues are taken seriously and treated with confidentiality.

As a retired Career Counsellor, Dave Wenn, ASK Peer Support Leader and Saugeen Shores representative on the Council for Aging, joined the volunteer team after, in his words, he was “… becoming a couch potato thanks to COVID”. “I am excited about this new program and, one of the great things is that we have been offered space in the Chantry Centre, and we already have three volunteers who have done some training. In a quote that I found very meaningful, ‘Older people are caretakers and custodians of tradition’. Our focus at ASK is to provide support and an access point for seniors and caregivers for advocacy, solutions and knowledge.
Wenn said that, following a survey, issues impacting seniors such as transportation, food, housing, etc. came to light. “Despite COVID, the process of developing the program continued along and we entered phase two that enabled phone lines to be established not only in Southampton but also in Dundalk, Markdale, Owen Sound and Tobermory.”
The phone line in Southampton will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon until 4:00 p.m. at 519-374-9495. There will also however, be a 24/7 answering service so that calls can be retrieved and answers returned as soon as possible.
Wenn said that he will be visiting various organizations to inform the community of the service that’s available. “We want to share this information with as many seniors as possible.”
Connie Barker, President of the Chantry Centre, added that all seniors through the Centre’s data base and that of P.A.R.C. will be contacted through the Centre newsletter to advise them of the service. “The Centre has also had calls from area physicians asking what programs are available for seniors and the protocols involved as they recognize the need for seniors to be able to socialize with their peers.”
Mayor Luke Charbonneau said that the Chantry Centre is very important and the town fully supports it. “In this time of isolation, it has never been more difficult to be a human being let alone a senior, who very often lives alone, and that’s why the Centre is critical. Connecting with the ALC is great and I know this will be a great service. Anything we can do to get seniors aware of this service and 211 is key. I would like to extend an invitation to Dave to attend Council and make a presentation … and anything the municipality can do to help we will.”
For more information, visit: https://www.alscgb.ca/seniors-ask.html