as it happens6:30Postal Workers Can Play Key Role in Helping Elderly: Report
Many people expect postal workers to arrive on time and deliver their mail. Now, doctors say they may be able to do more with regular stops to check in on seniors along the route.
“Individuals who might benefit from this service and who might want it should not only have the postal worker actually deliver their mail, but also chat or check in just to see how they are doing.” You can also suggest an inn, says Sameer Sinha, co-author of a new report by the National Institute on Aging. as it happens Host Nil Koksal.
The white paper Subject express deliveryshows similar programs with success in Japan, France and Jersey, UK.
“They are very popular with many older people, including older children who are worried about their mothers and fathers.
He added that such services could be an additional source of income for Canada Post. Posted a loss of $227 million last November This is because the amount of physical mail sent and received continues to deplete.
‘How are you today? ‘
Postal workers participating in Jersey’s Call & Check program have a short conversation with people who have signed up for the service and are asked a list of five questions as part of the mail delivery route.
“They start with a simple question, ‘How are you today?’ But they also ask people, ‘Are you having any problems with your medication? increase.
Alternatively, postal workers may ask older customers if they have any concerns they would like to share with community leaders or family members.
The Jersey Department of Health will subsidize two weekly visits for anyone who signs up for the program, but participants can pay $11.10 each for additional visits.
Other programs, such as the French and Japanese programs, are paid subscription services.
Spencer Naylor, another co-author of the report, told CBC. Morning in Ottawa The Japanese name of the program means “watch over”, but the French version “Veiller Sur Mes Parents” means “watch over my parents”.
“It’s… not necessarily monitoring your parents, but certainly making sure they’re getting the services and help they need, provided or received from other sources in the community.” “We’re making up for the support,” he said.
“Ultimately, it becomes something they look forward to in the week, another social interaction for those who may be lacking it.”
Some versions of this service already exist in parts of Canada. Postal workers in Prince Edward County, Ontario participate in the Letter Carrier Alert program to check on the elderly and other vulnerable. Dating back to the 1980s, the program is a free volunteer service.
Morning in Ottawa6:16Postal Worker “Call and Check” Program for Seniors
Canada Post Mother of Proposals
In a statement, the Canadian Postal Workers’ Union (CUPW) endorsed the National Institute on Aging’s proposal.
“It’s good for seniors and others who need it, and the Canada Post, which is mandated to expand its services to meet the changing needs of the population,” said Jan Simpson, president of CUPW. It’s good for
According to Statistics Canada, Canada’s population over the age of 85 has doubled since 2001 and could reach 2.7 million by 2050.
However, Canada Post has yet to comment on the proposal.
He said Canada Post still makes special considerations to deliver mail to senior citizens and those who do not have regular access to post offices or local mailboxes.
“The infrastructure is there. We have a dedicated workforce, 87% of Canadians trust us to deliver their emails, so even potentially delivering a service like this is practical. It’s a reliable workforce,” he said. Citing the 2015 French Leger poll:.
Sinha said the Canadian version of the Call & Check program is not intended to replace services provided by the health system, nor is it intended to convert postal workers into nurses or health care workers. emphasized that
For one, postal workers are not allowed into private homes while on duty, so their work is limited to door conversations and questionnaires. (This is different from the French model, as you go inside and he chats over a cup of tea for half an hour.)
“This is how we can take advantage of [groups outside] Our healthcare system to support the prevention of loneliness and isolation and to provide valuable preventive support,” Sinha said.
CUPW’s Jan Simpson echoed Sinha’s position.
“What we advocate is not for postal workers to enter healthcare, but for members to connect people to the services they need. France and Japan are already doing that,” he said.
