COVID-19 Resources & Information

April 18, 2020

The City of Calgary: Calgary Neighbourhoods – Age Friendly Calgary Newsletter has provided valuable information:

Provincial & Federal Government Updates:

Social Services Support for COVID-19

The Alberta Government is providing $30 million to municipalities, charitable and non-profit organizations to provide help to individuals, seniors, families and other vulnerable Albertans who are isolated or impacted by measures to contain COVID-19. Calgary-based organizations can apply for this funding through the City of Calgary by visiting calgary.ca/fundingproposal

Financial Help for Canadians

Click here to find a hub of information and benefits that the federal government, provinces and territories are offering to people financially affected by the coronavirus.
Help Prevent the Spread

Find information from the Alberta Government about the steps and measures you can take to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus while keeping yourself and others safe.Utility Payment Deferral

The Utilities Consumer Advocacy is offering utility payment deferral to Albertans no longer able to make regular utility payments as a result of COVID-19. For advice and support in negotiating a repayment plan to fit your budget, Albertans can contact the Utilities Consumer Advocate toll-free* at 310-4822 Monday – Friday between 8:15 am and 4:30 pm, or by email at ucahelps@gov.ab.ca

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Information about direct deposit of government benefits, visit the CRA’s webpages on direct deposit and COVID‑19.

More information about the CERB can be found on the Government of Canada website here: www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html

Statistics Canada Report

Statistics Canada released a report capturing the impacts of of COVID-19 in an info-graphic document. It paints a picture of how Canadians are coping with the COVID-19 situation.

Information & Resources for Seniors

Support for Individuals: The City of Calgary website

The City of Calgary launched a website that offers support for individuals and seniors particularly around food security, emotional wellness, and information for neighbours helping neighbours.
Essential Numbers for Seniors in Calgary

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Age-Friendly Calgary recently ran a press release for the Essential numbers for seniors for seniors to increase awareness about the services and supports available.This easy to read, one-page document includes important phone numbers that seniors may call for help with resources or services.

COVID-19 Translated Information

COVID-19 information for Calgarians is now available in multiple languages including Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish and Talgalog. The translated information can be found here

211 and the Distress Centre

For the most up-to-date information on programs and services during the pandemic, please check the 211 Alberta – Resources for COVID-19 in Alberta list and use the Calgary and Area tab. You can also reach out to 211 by phone, text or chat: dial 2-1-1, text INFO to 211 or visit www.ab.211.ca  and click “live chat.”

If you know of any changes to your organization’s service information,or of any new service information for those needing support related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please make sure to update the community resource database team regularly by emailing communityresourcedatabase@distresscentre.com. This will ensure that the 211 COVID-19 webpage is up to date.

Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society Adapted Services for COVID-19

Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society has adjusted their eligibility and criteria for the following programs to make access easier and response time faster during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Volunteer Drop Offs (food, supplies, etc.)
Essential Transportation (important medical appointments)
Social Phone Support
Pet Assist (food deliveries, pet care, etc.)
Practical Kindness (urgent requests)

To access supports visit their website or phone 403-266-6200.

Phishing Scams

In addition to phishing scams taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers are also sending fraudulent texts and emails that may mislead you into believing that they were sent from the government regarding government benefits such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Learn ways to protect yourself by visiting the Canadian Bankers Association. You can also find information about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit on the Government of Canada’s website here.

Virtual Programs & Resources

Calgary Recreation

Calgary Recreation is offering a new collection of online activities and resources for Calgarians of all ages. Calgary.ca/athome features programs and activities for kids, youth, seniors and families. Program leaders from Recreation, Parks and Calgary Neighbourhoods have developed videos, instructions and learning modules for everything from fitness, to crafts and games, to ways to engage with nature. Partners at the Calgary Zoo, Glenbow Museum, Calgary Public Library, and TELUS Spark also have a section on the page with links to their online programs and activities. New material will be added regularly so keep checking back.

Call for Participants: Social Interaction, Social Isolation, and Technology Survey

Students in their final year of Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at the University of Toronto, are carrying out a research study to explore how older adults use technology and how accepting they are to having technology in the home to assess for social isolation. The researchers are looking for participants aged 55+ and living in Canada to take part in an online survey. Please complete the survey here or participate by calling 416-946-8573.
Prospect Human Services

Be ready for the upturn in the economy by upgrading your skills at no cost! Prospect Human Services offers SkillGain to qualifying applicants, enabling you to improve the skills that employers are looking for most, including basic digital and technology skills. To apply for SkillGain visit www.prospectnow.ca/skillgain.

Food Security Resources
Grocery Shopping

Kerby Centre’s Thrive Program (403) 234-6571

No income restrictions
65+
Can be referred by agency, family/friend, or senior
Full payment and a nominal delivery fee are paid at the time of delivery

Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society’s Volunteer Drop Offs (403) 266-6200 or www.calgaryseniors.org/volunteer-programs-referral-form

No income restrictions
65+
Can be referred by agency, family/friend, or senior

Food Hampers and low cost food

Calgary Food Bank

Food for 4 to 5 days, celiac and renal hampers are available upon request
Agency referral: 403-640-8810 or through the online portal
Clients can be referred 12 times per year, with 17 days in between (call or check the website for changes)
Self-referral: 403-253-2055
Hamper request line open Monday – Friday 8:30am -7:30pm

Community Kitchen Program of Calgary

Spinz-A-Round Program

Agencies can become recipients of fresh produce, bread, and other food items by following the directions on the website: www.ckpcalgary.ca/program-services/spinz-a-round

Good Food Box

Low cost basket of fruits and vegetables ($25, $30, $35 depending on size of box)
Email: gfb@ckpyyc.ca or phone 403-538-3780

Fresh Routes Food Baskets and Emergency Hampers

$15 food baskets including eggs, bread, fruits, and vegetables (larger baskets are available upon request), delivery included
Delivery request form on website: https://freshroutes.ca/delivery-request
If assistance is needed in filling out the form, call Hannah at 250-500-4214 (the volunteer has a cell phone from BC)

Dashmesh Culture Centre

Non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products available
Pick up at 135 Martindale Blvd NE
For more information call 587-577-9466, 403-671-8272, or 403-909-1313

Veteran’s Food Bank

Open to all Veterans
Call 403-277-8387 or email info@veteransfoodbankofcalgary.ca

Veteran’s Association Food Bank

Open to all military and RCMP veterans

Call 403-367-8387 or email info.vafb@gmail.com

Frozen and prepared meals

Meals on Wheels

No age or income requirement
Delivery or pick up is available
Order online at https://www.mealsonwheels.com/my-choice or call 403-243-2834

Kerby Centre

Thrive program members may be eligible for frozen meals depending on availability, contact 403- 234-6571

Social Supports and Outreach

COVID-19 and your Mental Health

Alberta Health Services has released information about Covid-19 and your mental health with helpful tips during this public health emergency. In addition, there is also information about coping and connection for children and families during COVID-19 and practical and emotional preparedness for a pandemic.

AHS increases mental health supports: When Albertans call the Mental Health Help Line at 1‑877‑303‑2642 or the Addiction Help Line at 1‑866‑332‑2322 between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., seven days a week, they will be connected directly to a dedicated team of AHS addiction and mental health staff.
Support for Mental Health

Jewish Family Services Calgary is launching a new mental health support line. They are offering up to three free sessions for tele-therapy with trained psychologist for short term, brief intervention therapy. This service is available to anyone living in Calgary and to anyone who is struggling during this difficult time. Please fan this out to your contacts so that anyone who has clients in need of this service can start to refer. All information is on the website: www.jfsc.org and clients just need to call into JFSC’s main line at 403-287-3510.

Family Violence Pandemic Fact-sheet

Alberta Government releases Family violence pandemic factsheet: Elder Abuse information is included in the family violence fact-sheet. The Calgary Elder Abuse Resource Line at 403-705-3250 is also available to get information or to make a report. Sunrise Community Link Resource Centre

Sunrise has been operating for 20 years in various locations throughout East Calgary to provide information dissemination, referrals to services, and accessible programming. Check out their list of community resources that contains useful information during the pandemic. Sunrise also serve a diverse community of people including families, single parents, grandparents with children, seniors and single individuals from a various cultural backgrounds.

Deaf & Hear Alberta

While the office is closed to the public, Deaf & Hear Alberta can still be reached by email, text or phone. Their online store is available for equipment needs and can be shipped directly to you. Current official Government and Alberta Health Service announcements are provided with American Sign Language interpretation to all Albertans live-streaming these announcements through their facebook page. Visit their website to find the emergency response to COVID-19 online updates and videos.

CNIB Virtual Vision Mate

To help combat social isolation, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind  has adapted one of their core program offerings. They are coordinating volunteers to connect virtually with participants by phone or online. It allows the participant to connect with the same person every week for a friendly conversation. If you’d like to sign up to be connected with a virtual vision mate, please complete the application form and should you have any difficulty completing the form, please call 1-800-563-2642. To volunteer as a virtual vision mate, complete the application form here.

The Calgary Ability Network

The Calgary Ability Network, an initiative of the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta, is a collaborative of organizations, businesses and advocates from the disability community aimed at improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities. Visit their website for information about their network and resources relating to COVID-19.

 

This Information was Provided by:

The City of Calgary: Calgary Neighbourhoods

311 34 Ave. SE
Calgary Alberta T2G 1T7

agefriendly@newsletters.calgary.ca