Social isolation is a problem in Pictou County.
Seniors without family in the immediate area often find themselves trapped in their homes without the means to get out.
“We see it every day at the CHAD office and we talk to people who are in those situations so we know it is a problem in Pictou County,” said Danny MacGillivray, executive director of CHAD Transit.
He believes he has a plan to help alleviate the problem. He’s calling it Sunday Drives.
He recently pitched the idea at a 100 Women Who Care event and was successful in winning $10,000 from the group to make the project a reality.
From discussions, he’s had with people about the topic of social isolation, MacGillivray said one of the main issues causing it is financial.
“They can’t get out because they can’t afford to get out in the community.”
So, what he’s going to do with the money from 100 Women Who Care, is provide free Sunday drives for up to 18 seniors at a time.
“The Sunday drives will be to places like Green Hill Park, or Caribou Provincial Park or maybe a day trip to Antigonish or something like that,” MacGillivray said.
Participants will be picked up at their homes and the trips will last about three to four hours.
“We will also will provide $5 for a treat – an ice cream cone or something like that because we do realize these people don’t have a lot of disposable income.”
With the $10,000 they received, MacGillivray said they’ll be able to do about 30 drives.
Mary MacLellan with Pictou County Seniors Outreach recently met with MacGillivray to discuss possible trips and ways to reach seniors who could benefit from the trips.
She believes it will be a wonderful opportunity for people to get out and hopefully make new friends.
“Everybody loves to get out on a Sunday afternoon for a drive,” she said.
Seniors who are interested in this opportunity can call the CHAD office at 902-928-1234 for more information.
