As people age, the security they feel from living in their own homes as long as possible is crucial to maintaining their independence.
For many, that wouldn’t be possible without 211 service navigators.
Take the case of Richard, who has mobility challenges and lives alone. He called 211 after injuring himself at home.
Imagine Richard’s sense of helplessness and fear about his future safety in his own home. But thanks to the service navigator he spoke to, he got the help he needed to enhance his safety.
She put Richard in touch with the Department of Social Development and a visit from a social worker was arranged. An assessment was done of his needs to ensure he can live at home without fear.
The navigator had also suggested the government’s Home First Program, which does safety assessments of homes and determines if homeowners are eligible for grants to help pay for the cost of improvements. Richard was quickly enrolled in the program, another step in providing him with a sense of security and independence in his home.
The 211 service, supported by United Way, is available by telephone and email. Calls and emails are always answered by a person, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The phone service is multilingual and available via TTY.