Paolo delivers Meals on Wheels via bicycle. © Courtesy of Care BC
The Health and Home Care Society of BC (also known as “Care BC”) has operated a Meals on Wheels (MOW) program in Vancouver since 1967. Over our five decades of service to the community, the program has grown to serve the neighbouring communities of Richmond and the North Shore; we also launched a Chinese MOW program in 1996 to meet the region’s changing demographics.
Our MOW clients, many of whom are frail, homebound seniors at risk of isolation, receive a hot, nutritious meal and a brief friendly visit from our delivery volunteers. Sixty percent of our clients live alone, with no regular visitors connecting with them. It has always been our mission to enable seniors to continue to live independently in their homes for as long as possible—the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased feelings of anxiety and loneliness among those of our clients who were already struggling.
Eleanor is the sole caregiver for her husband, Prod, who suffered a traumatic brain injury and requires 24-hour care and assistance. She describes how MOW has helped them:
“With COVID-19, I have had to limit his exposure to outsiders, so I’ve been his sole caregiver all this time. Looking after him takes so much of my time that I have had no time for anything else, including shopping for groceries and cooking. Meals on Wheels has become a blessing for us. Not only are the meals nutritious and varied but the volunteers who deliver them have been very kind and supportive. Words are not enough to show how grateful my husband and I are for MOW’s support and assistance.”
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