Many anglophone seniors in the Lanaudiere don’t speak French, making getting access to health and social services difficult – but a new service is making that easier.
The English Community Organization of Lanaudiere worked with the provincial government to fund an outreach program.
“Rawdon is considered to be the English town,” said outreach worker Jessica Van Doren. “There are 40 nationalities and only one is French. It’s very unique. A lot of seniors lived in Montreal and worked in Montreal but this was their summer home. When they retired, they move up here. And they've aged out here so they're 70, 80, 90s and they're looking for help.”
Until a few years ago, there were few places for anglophones to get help.
“It's a large region and a lot of the English people are scattered here and there. So we try to ferret them out and bring them activities and services and activities that will interest them, in particular health and social services,” said Michelle Eaton-Lusignan of the English Community Organization of Lanaudiere.
Each week, they have a seminar or activity in the local church hall, offering a chance for seniors to get information they need and have social time, too.
“People are looking out for each other and that's why our programs work. It's the community itself,” said Eaton-Lusignan.
A big part of their job is to take the intimidation out of accessing the services around them, working with local health centres to ensure care is available in English.
For widower Bill Miller, it's been a lifeline. Van Doren makes house calls, helping him translate phone messages and making his medical appointments.
“We've found a difference already. In the hospital in Joliette, it's a big difference. It's very important,” said Lorna Jean Smith of the English Community Organization of Lanaudiere.
