Comprehensive Well-Being
At SHOAL Centre, we offer senior support services such as light in-home housekeeping, meal delivery, medical drives, advocacy and income tax preparation. These programs enrich seniors’ lives and ensure well-being on multiple fronts.
Better at Home
The Better at Home program offers non-medical support with day-to-day tasks to help people 65+ remain independent in their own homes. Available across the Saanich Peninsula, services may vary by community. Allowing seniors to age in place with dignity, stay socially connected and prevent social isolation, the program recognizes that seniors are an important and growing part of communities.
Better at Home is funded by United Way British Columbia.
To access Better at Home services in your area, please check out our full directory.
How We Help
- Friendly visits, in-person or by phone
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Light yard work
- Minor home repairs
- Light housekeeping*
- Grocery shopping
- Food Bank access
- More Than Meals meal delivery
- Library book pick-up and drop-off
*Light housekeeping, like laundry, vacuuming and cleaning of bathrooms and kitchens is provided on a fee-for-service basis. Some seniors may qualify for a 100% subsidy. Others may pay fees, which are charged on a sliding scale, based on income.
More Than Meals
More Than Meals, which is part of the Better at Home program, delivers up to three nutritionally balanced meals per week to seniors on the Saanich Peninsula, prepared fresh at SHOAL Centre’s kitchen.
More Than Meals is funded by United Way Southern Vancouver Island.
Program Overview
- Meals include an entrée, vegetable and dessert, packaged and frozen for convenient reheating at home.
- Beacon volunteers deliver meals to Peninsula residents on Thursday afternoons, or they can be picked up at SHOAL Centre.
- Cost is determined by a sliding scale based on net income, allowing MTM clients to receive subsidized meals.
Advocacy for Seniors
Beacon supports the well-being of seniors through health care system guidance, information and assistance, compiling correspondence and completing and submitting forms both online and on paper. Weekly sessions can be booked to meet with a seniors’ advocate volunteer to help you through challenging situations. Please call us to book an advocacy appointment.
Seniors Housing Navigation
Beacon has partnered with SHINE (Seniors Housing Information and Navigation Ease) to offer this collaborative province-wide initiative out of SHOAL Centre. The program supports older adults ages 60+ who are at risk of homelessness to navigate housing, mental wellness and addiction services.
We are proud to assist this vital program, which is jointly funded by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. Seniors Services Society of BC is the lead organization for the initiative and currently collaborates with seven other organizations to offer SHINE programs in all five regions of the province.
Income Tax Program
The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is available throughout the year at the SHOAL Centre, with in-person tax volunteers available during March and April. This is a free service and appointments are not necessary.
To qualify, your income must be modest (single person, up to $35,000; couple, up to $50,000) and your tax situation must be simple. Your income source must be from employment, pension, benefits such as Canada Pension Plan, disability, employment insurance, social assistance, RRSPs, support payments, scholarships, fellowships, bursaries/grants and interest (under $1,000). Income Tax Volunteers can file taxes up to 10 years back.
Computer Support
Embrace the world of technology with confidence. Whether you’re a beginner navigating the digital landscape or seeking assistance with specific tech challenges, we can help. A session with one of our volunteers can help you learn to use your laptop, tablet or other computer devices. Please call us to book your personal appointment.
