The non-profit organization Seniors Centre Without Walls (SCWW) has received funding from the Government of Canada’s Age Well at Home Initiative. 

Ronda Wedhorn, program manager with SCWW, said the funds will be used to provide services to people in Moose Jaw and rural areas who are 55 or older, with the aim of keeping them living independently in their own homes.  

“We’re doing all kinds of things, from companionship, assisting with meal preparation, house cleaning, running errands, shopping. We can do light yardwork, handyman services, help with gardening [or] lawnmowing, walking pets, and taking people to doctor’s appointments and sitting with them and taking notes.” 

The fees that seniors would have to pay for the services are on a sliding scale and can be anywhere from zero to $35/hour based on income.  

“We take that money that someone with a higher income has [to pay], and we use it to subsidize the wages for our staff that goes out and assists the lower income people.” 

Wedhorn said they are also looking for people to volunteer their time to provide services to seniors. There is a volunteer screening package that requires references and a criminal record check, and she said that they have liability insurance to cover them. Mileage for taking clients to appointments would be paid.  

Wedhorn said that they have the funds to run this program for 25 months.  

Anyone interested in learning more can call Seniors Centre Without Walls at 306-692-2242, email rondascap@gmail.com, or visit them in person at the Town N’ Country Mall.