October is Community Support Month

Every year, Community Support Month takes place to celebrate the frontline workers helping seniors, vulnerable individuals, stay safe and healthy at home.  This month recognizes the 20,000 employees and 100,000 volunteers delivering essential home and community care services across Ontario through charities and not-for-profit agencies.

ESS Support Services is a member of the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA), which represents close to 230 not-for-profit organizations that provide home care and community support services that help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.  Read the press release from OCSA acknowledging the work frontline workers have been doing during the pandemic here.

ESS would like to thank its many direct service, frontline staff for their continued commitment and dedication in providing the best possible care and support to our clients and their families.  During a trying time such as the existing pandemic, our staff and volunteers have been a listening ear, a source of consistent support and much-needed social companionship and engagement to clients living alone and respite for caregivers with a lot on their plates.

Our direct service, frontline staff include:

• Personal Support Workers who assist seniors with in-home care, daily activities and social companionship, enabling them to remain independent in their homes, and overnight care to help give caregivers a break.
• Case Managers who work directly with families and clients to listen to their needs and to ensure they receive the right help wherever they are at that point in their lives.
• Program Coordinators who plan engaging and appropriate programs and encourage social connections in our Adult Day, Lunch and social recreation programs.
• Drivers who help seniors get to important medical and vaccination appointments, and help deliver groceries, meals and hampers door-to-door to individuals experiencing barriers in accessing food.
• Fitness Instructors who plan and lead safe, accessible and senior friendly physical exercise routines to support the well-being and reduce the falls risks of older adults in our community.
• Volunteers who provide social companionship and support over the phone to seniors in our community.

We encourage you to help us celebrate by saying thank you to an ESS staff member or volunteer and sharing what their support has meant to you.

#CSM2021