Senior resources
Cowichan Independent Living 250-746-3930
-Medical equipment loans
-Free Low income tax service
Senior Abuse & Information Line (SAIL) 604-437-1940 Toll-Free: 1-866-437-1940
A confidential information line for older adults and those who care about them to speak to a professional intake worker about abuse, mistreatment and any issues that impact the health and well-being of older adults in BC.
Better At Home: United Way helping seniors remain independent
Better at Home is a program that helps older adults with simple non-medical, day-to-day tasks so that they can continue to live independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities.
Island Health Community Access Line (Centre Island): 250-739-5749 Toll Free: 1-877-734-4101
You can call the Community Access Line in your region to learn how Island Health can help you and your family members.
Seniors First BC (information, advocacy, & support)
Seniors First BC is a charitable, non-profit society that provides information, legal advocacy, support, and referrals to older adults across BC with issues affecting their well-being, as well as those who care for them.
BC Association of Community Response Networks (BCCRNs)
BC Community Response Networks (BC CRN) is a provincial non-profit dedicated to fostering safe, inclusive communities where vulnerable adults are valued and protected. Through active coordination, advocacy, education, collaboration, and relationship building.
Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation
Listings for senior living communities
Island Health: Seniors & Mental Health
A list of services you can access through Island Health.
Volunteer Cowichan Social Prescribing Referral Form
Social Prescribing is for adults who are aged 60+ and living in the Cowichan Valley. They are self-motivated, but could use help connecting with community resources.
SENIOR CENTRES:
Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre Society 250-246-2111
Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre 250-246-2111
Valley Seniors 55+ Activity Centre 250-746-4433
Ladysmith Seniors Centre Society
Lake Cowichan Seniors Centre 250-749-6121
TECHNOLOGY HELP:
OTHER RESOURCES:
BC Government Seniors Resources
Government of Canada Benefits Finder
BC Housing Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER)
Ability 411 (free equipment loan programs)
TAP BC Travel Assistance Program
CVRD Adult Recreation Programs
2026 Spring & Summer recreation guide
Directory
An excellent directory of Services for Seniors can be found on the Better at Home Program | VOLUNTEER COWICHAN website including a new program called ‘Better at Home’. Services include: Transportation, Friendly Visiting, Light Yard Work, Light Housekeeping, Minor Home Repairs, Grocery Shopping, Snow Removal. There is a cost for most services but some are free depending on a person’s income level. Better at Home – Services Available
Elder Abuse
Elder abuse is a serious issue in BC that undermines the health, independence and dignity of older adults, but you can help. Learn more about recognizing, responding to and preventing elder abuse by visiting SeniorsBC.ca. If you need information, advice or support call:
SAIL is a confidential means for seniors to speak to a professional intake worker about issues that affect their well-being, receive information, or learn about our programs.
Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) line Toll-Free at 1-866-437-1940 weekdays 8am to 8pm and weekends 10am to 5:30pm or visit SeniorsBC.ca. If it is an emergency, call 911
SAIL intake workers can assist with:
- Identifying caller’s issues and immediate, short-term, or potential long-term needs.
- Completing intake to internal programs for callers to access SFBC services.
- Providing general information and referrals to community and/or government services.
- Providing follow-up calls to callers who are at risk.
- Providing information about abuse and neglect, escalation, and risk.
- Facilitating reporting of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect.
Seniors Safety
Our staff have just completed a 6-part Senior’s Safety Workshop. We have plenty of resources and knowledge which we would love to share. Give us a call, we’d be happy to visit you. We’ll bring along all sorts of information addressing any one of these concerns:
- Home & Personal Safety
- Internet Frauds & Scams
- Road Safety
- Identity Fraud & Scams
- How to Identify Abuse and Investment Scams & Counterfeit money
Home and Personal Safety
Most Canadians feel safe in their homes. However, many of us fail to take even fundamental precautions to secure our homes against robbery. Do what you can to reduce the opportunity. There are many ways to be proactive around your home: windows, doors & locks, lights – interior/exterior, alarms, shrubbery, outside ladders. We’ve lots of ideas to eliminate the opportunity. Block Watch is a must in your neighbourhood.
Tips for Senior drivers
Here are some tips to keep your skills sharp and information on what to do should you choose to leave the driving to others.
Road Safety
We broke this area into 4 areas: Vehicles, Pedestrians, Scooters & Cyclists
VEHICLES: BCAA has information to help seniors and their loved ones assess driving skills, learn about changing abilities and if needed, modify driving habits. Knowing the effects aging can have on our driving is a key step to remaining safe on the road. BCAA wants to help you gain the knowledge to stay safe behind the wheel by sharing our Senior Driver Toolkit that contains assessment tools, video tips & expert advice. Get your free Senior Driver Toolkit.
‘Living Well, Driving Well Workshops’ South Cowichan Community Policing offers great information to increase your awareness about the effects of aging on driving. This workshop will provide information and tools to assist you to:
- Adapt to age-related changes
- Review your own driving
- Plan to keep mobile.
PEDESTRIANS: Visibility is all important. When walking never assume. Always try to make eye contact with drivers when crossing to confirm they have seen you.
SCOOTERS: When operating an electric wheelchair or mobility scooter, follow the same rules as a pedestrian. This means you can use them on sidewalks but not in places where pedestrians are not allowed, such as bike lanes.
If operating an electric wheelchair or mobility scooter on a public road, pay extra attention and be aware of other road users.
As of June 2024, people operating an electric wheelchair or mobility scooter have protection under B.C.’s new vulnerable road user law, which requires drivers to always drive safely and give space when passing.
This is from Michael Creurer on ‘The Guide to Scooter Safety’ “When I purchased my first scooter 10 years ago I thought that because I knew how to drive a car, using a scooter would be easy. In some respects I was correct; it was not too difficult for me to learn how to negotiate my new scooter around, but what I did not realize was that when I took to the streets, I was unfamiliar with the pedestrian laws……Sometimes we encounter curb cuts which are inadequate, attempt to enter buildings that are not accessible, use public or private transportation and negotiate the myriad of situations which may arise” Follow this link safety tips that cover what you may encounter.
CYCLISTS: Visibility, Visibility, Visibility! Slow down and use your shoulder checks. Give vehicles lots of room. Never ride on sidewalks. Wear your helmets.
Internet Frauds & Scams
We Canadians are 2nd in the world for being scammed by fraudsters. Be extra cautious and safe on the internet. Read the fine-print before signing up for a new website. Change passwords regularly. Don’t divulge too much information on Facebook.
Scams and cybercrimes can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
If you have been a victim of a scam, fraud or cybercrime, please contact your local police as soon as possible.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is a national police service that gathers intelligence on fraud across Canada and assists Police of Jurisdiction with enforcement and prevention efforts. We help citizens and businesses:
- report fraud
- learn about different types of fraud
- recognize the warning signs of fraud
- protect themselves from fraud
It is also recommended that you report the instance of a scam, fraud or cybercrime, whether you are a victim or not, to the Canadian Anti Freud Centre’s Toll free number 1-888-495-8501 or online Report Cybercrime and Fraud | National Cybercrime and Fraud Reporting System. They answer calls Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 4:45 pm (Eastern time) and close on holidays.
