January Snow a Reminder to Help Seniors Shovel
Prince George, B.C. – Do you still have some energy left after shoveling your driveway this morning?
If yes, then perhaps you could help a senior in your neighbourhood do the same.
“It would be wonderful if people would look around their own neighbourhoods and if they see a household where there’s a senior or an elder living, or somebody who possibly has health issues, mobility issues or is disabled in some way to please help them with their shoveling,” says Lola Dawn Fennell, manager of the Prince George Council of Seniors (PGCOS).
“There’s no volunteer snow shoveling service in Prince George so we really need people to be good neighbours this time of year.”
She says shoveling snow could help some get to much needed medical appointments which could actually help save lives.
“If it’s somebody who has home care coming in, that home care person can’t access them if they can’t reach their front door so it could be a matter of life and death.”
So who shouldn’t be shoveling?
“If you’re not use to playing a vigorous tennis match, swimming rapid laps in the pool, or able to jog for 20 minutes, you probably shouldn’t be shoveling snow,” says Fennell.
“At least not with careful stretching and warm up and plenty of fluids to drink and some rest time in the process of shoveling.”
If you’ve read all this and believe you qualify to help with snow shoveling, she encourages you to give the Seniors Resource Centre a call at 250-564-5888.
“And we will try to match them up with somebody in their general neighbourhood.”
Comments
There’s a huge complex on the hill east of town full of able-bodied “volunteers” whom I’m sure would be more than happy to help those who need it.
“If you’re not use to playing a vigorous tennis match, swimming rapid laps in the pool, or able to jog for 20 minutes, you probably shouldn’t be shoveling snow,” says Fennell. — really? I don’t think I am used to those things, but my job has me walking upwards of 10 miles a day sometimes and I think I am very capable of shovelling snow. I think her criteria is a bit off. Someone who is physically unable to shovel snow I can see, but just because you can’t jog or swim those specs? BS. I have an 85 year old father in law who can’t do those things, but one of the things he really enjoys for exercise is shoveling a bit of snow and chopping some wood. Activity helps keep you healthy, not sitting around and getting someone else to do your exercise for you.
I have an 85 year old father in law who can’t do those things, but one of the things he really enjoys for exercise is shoveling a bit of snow and chopping some wood.
“Heart attack waiting to happen”.
If I live to be 85 and still be able to shovel my own snow I will consider my self very lucky. Heart attack waiting to happen or not.
“There’s no volunteer snow shoveling service in Prince George so we really need people to be good neighbours this time of year.”
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There’s a facebook page for volunteer shovellers in PG. Lots of activity and people volunteering their services.
Bent, yer right.
Dad quit shoveling at 92, afraid he might fall and break his hip. I think it’s got a lot to do with muscle memory, what you’ve done in the past, you can do in the future. And chopping wood, just give me a double bit axe and don’t bug me.
I shovel my neighbor out and myself, another neighbor(83) shovels his and an older fellows driveway.
Yes there are heart attacks, but I think Lola’s gotta rethink this.
Careful stretching? In our dreams. Fluids? Yep, couple beers. Rest time? Smoke while yer shoveling, just git ‘er dun!
As they say– IF the big one hits at least you will be doing something you like.
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