COVID-19 Support for Older Adults

As we have collectively entered into the second year of the global COVID 19 pandemic, it is important to remember that the pandemic has not been equal in its impact.

While COVID-19 has surely impacted each of us, for many it has meant more financial hardships, more social isolation, and for too many, more loss.  

In Waterloo Region, the Covid-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for neighbourhoods with higher proportions of Black and newcomer residents. The Black communities AFRO serves have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The Waterloo Region Record reported that the five neighbourhoods with the highest proportion of Black residents had a 73% higher Covid-19 infection rate compared to the regional average, while the top-two newcomer neighbourhoods had a 138% higher infection rate.  

As the virus hasn’t taken time off, neither has AFRO. At the end of 2020, AFRO was awarded a grant by the Canadian Red Cross as part of the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund. This grant gave AFRO resources to support Black older adults in Waterloo Region both with information and navigation, but also with resources to support older adults to stay safe during the pandemic.  

The grant allowed us to bring on two temporary part-time staff to help engaging the community and getting resources into the hands of Black older adults. The main feature of AFRO’s COVID-19 Support Program was the creation of “care packages” for older adults.  

Working with a local pharmacy, AFRO was able to purchase a variety of supplies that would help isolated older adults to stay safe through the pandemic. These supplies included hand sanitizer, masks, vitamin D supplements, and information and resources. Knowing also that many people have been challenged financially through this pandemic, grocery store gift cards were also included. Our staff then worked with community partners, faith communities, community centres, and others to ensure these packages got to the people who needed them.  

On the first day we offered these packages, we were amazed by the number of seniors who came out to pick up a package. For those who couldn’t meet at the distribution site, we delivered packages directly to peoples’ homes.  

One of the friendly and helpful faces that people were met with was Nasir’s, who was brought on to support the on-the-ground distribution. About the experience, Nasir said:

“I am still very thankful for this experience given I was able to connect with so many wonderful families from many different walks of life. Also, the satisfaction of knowing I made a positive impact in people's lives is something I wouldn't trade for anything.”

While we come to the end of this specific grant, AFRO is still working to ensure supports are available as the pandemic continues. If you are a Black older adult seeking support, please get in touch with us at 548-889-3506 or info@afrofamily.ca.