Community Support Services in Frontenac County

Louise Moody and David Townsend | Apr 06, 2022

Aging well at home is a vision for many seniors and their families. It is vital that they receive timely, responsive quality programs and services to support them living independently at home and to address their growing needs as they age in place. Community Support Services, specifically Rural Frontenac Community Services and Southern Frontenac Community Services, are integral partners in supporting seniors to stay in their homes as long as possible.

Rural Frontenac Community Services has been providing a range of services for residents in Frontenac County since 1975. They offer an array of services for seniors including hot and frozen meals delivered to a senior's home; housekeeping and respite for seniors needing assistance in their home; transportation for medical appointments and social visits; foot care and an adult day away program for seniors who would benefit from a day away from home with other seniors.

Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) has been providing services to the residents of South Frontenac and rural Kingston since 1989. They provide a full range of services; from exercise and social programs through the Grace Social Activity Centre to Community Support Services programs that include: an Adult Day service, Foot Care, hot and frozen Meals on Wheels, a volunteer visiting hospice program, transportation for seniors, Home Making, Home Maintenance and In-Home Respite as well as Diners Clubs, SFCSC's Food Bank and Family Services.

Between the two agencies, from April 2021 to December 2021, more than 29,000 meals wheels were delivered by volunteers to seniors at home throughout Frontenac County. More than 130 seniors received 4,798 rides to medical appointments, social events and for shopping.

During the pandemic the government has been required to shift its priorities to hospital and Long-Term Care. Now, moving into recovery, there is growing concern that there are increasing numbers of vulnerable seniors at risk for not receiving the care they need to remain living independently in their homes and communities.

Several clients of the two agencies have expressed how Meals on Wheels has improved their lives. Here are a few quotes from them:

"MOW literally saved my life, making me eat again. I'm confined to a wheelchair so cooking is difficult. I'm so impressed with the taste, colour and variety. I've noticed a marked improvement in my health since joining the MOW program.”

"I wasn't eating because I didn't know what to cook or what I wanted to eat before MOW. These meals come around noon, hot, smell wonderful and make me want to eat. They are so tasty and very well made up. I couldn't or wouldn't make such healthy, well-balanced meals for myself and certainly not at the price I pay for MOW. I'm healthier now due to MOW.”

"Living so far from my father proves to be challenging in many ways. I am extremely grateful for the Meals-on-Wheels program knowing that he can have a warm, nutritious meal to him, a few times a week, is a comfort.”

Community Support Services play a critical role in alleviating pressure on Long-Term Care and Hospitals. However, this is not possible when seniors cannot access the supports they need to have healthy independent lives at home.

Community Support Services are part of an underfunded sector in this province and cannot continue to meet the growing needs, as the percentage of seniors in our population continues to rise and they are living longer. We have a caring community in Frontenac County. Let's continue to find ways to sustain these vital supports so we can all age well at home.

(Louise Moody is the Executive Director for Rural Frontenac Community Services. David Townsend is the Executive Director for Southern Frontenac Community Services)