"...Moving to a new country and starting a new life can be challenging at any age…but for older adults it can be even more challenging. "
Targeting Isolation asked Maureen Keelan, Manager of Senior Immigrant Settlement Services, A & O: Support Services for Older Adults, about what services they offer and how they benefit older adults. Here is what she had to say...
Targeting Isolation in Manitoba (TIMA): Please introduce yourself and tell me about your organization and your role within the organization.
Maureen Keelan, Senior Immigrant Settlement Services, A & O: My name is Maureen Keelan and I am the Manager of a program at A & O: Support Services for Older adults called Senior Immigrant Settlement Services. In this program we work with newcomers who are aged 55 years or older and support them as they settle in their new life in Canada, specifically Winnipeg.
As we age, we all experience some challenges, whether it be health issues, financial or even social isolation. Newcomers would have all those potential challenges, but then add on other things such as racism, needing to learn a new language, etc. All of these things can be very isolating.
TIMA: Can you tell me more about Senior Immigrant Settlement Services?
Maureen Keelan, Senior Immigrant Settlement Services, A & O: We offer both in-person and virtual programming. After the pandemic we surveyed our clients and found that some really enjoyed the online experience because they did need to worry about transportation or getting to programming during our cold winters.
We have one program called the Settlement Orientation for Seniors and that is an orientation to Canada and Winnipeg where they learn about important settlement topics such as housing, transportation, banking, grocery shopping, culture, government, etc. These are group orientations that run 2 times a week for 15 weeks. We offer one virtually and one in-person.
We also have formal and more informal English language classes. For the formal classes, the client’s English language is assessed prior to the class by another agency and they are then placed in our formal language classes which are taught by qualified teachers. There is ongoing assessment and people work on their speaking, reading and writing skills. We also have more informal English Conversation Classes for Seniors, and these classes focus on listening and speaking in English and there is no formal assessment. The informal classes are facilitated by trained volunteers.
In addition, we also have a program called Language Buddies, which specifically started during COVID. We match a person up with a volunteer and they do a weekly check-in with the client in their first language. We have continued this program for people who are really isolated or their English language level is low.
Lastly, we do monthly presentations which anyone can attend virtually. The presentations are on various topics that clients have told us they want more information on: for example, on navigating healthcare in Manitoba.
TIMA: If someone were to chat with you over a coffee, what would you want them to know about the Senior Immigrant Settlement Services program at A & O?
"Normally, you have your whole lifetime to build your social network, but if you are plugged in a new environment and have language barriers, you're not able to make friends easily. So that's why our programs are so important because people are given opportunities to make friends and build their networks."
Maureen Keelan, Senior Immigrant Settlement Services, A & O: I would want them to know that moving to a new country and starting a new life can be challenging at any age… but for older adults it can be even more challenging. Everyone is unique and the reason they are here is unique. Some came to live with their adult children or others are fleeing war or persecution in their home country. Being able to come into a classroom, whether it be virtual or in-person, and seeing their peers can be very comforting and they make friends with people from all over the world and they are able to support each other.
We have many success stories of people helping each other, learning a new language or improving their English, and then gaining the confidence to volunteer themselves in our programs. We have quite a few clients whose language level becomes quite high and then they give back by volunteering to facilitate a class.
TIMA: What are some of the challenges that new immigrants face in Canada?
Maureen Keelan, Senior Immigrant Settlement Services, A & O: As we age, we all experience some challenges, whether it be health issues, financial or even social isolation. Newcomers would have all those potential challenges, but then add on other things such as racism, needing to learn a new language, etc. All of these things can be very isolating.
I'm not an expert in this, but those little casual interactions can make such a huge difference… if you can't speak English and you're not able to say good morning every day to your bus driver or to the guy who you're buying a coffee from, or you're not able to chitchat with your neighbors, it means that building that social network is so much more difficult. Normally, you have your whole lifetime to build your social network, but if you are plugged in a new environment and have language barriers, you're not able to make friends easily. So that's why our programs are so important because people are given opportunities to make friends and build their networks.
TIMA: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Maureen Keelan, Senior Immigrant Settlement Services, A & O: We are supporting individuals in many ways and helping reduce their social isolation is a huge part of what we do. It’s not just about our language programs! We really try and create an environment that is welcoming: where people can learn, meet new people, and ask important questions!
To learn more:
Visit website at: https://www.aosupportservices.ca/senior-immigrant-settlement-services/