Barrhead FCSS doors may be open but some programs are not in full operation

BARRHEAD-Barrhead and District Family and Community Support Service (FCSS) might be open to the public but it is far from business as usual.
That is what FCSS executive director Shelly Dewsnap and seniors program coordinator Debbie White said.

"Although we are doing our best to safeguard everyone from our staff, volunteers and clients, seniors are especially vulnerable to the virus [COVID-19] and why we have to be extremely vigilant," White said.

Which is why she doesn't foresee any of the FCSS' seniors social programming resuming until the fall at the earliest but more than likely it will not be until 2021 that they resume.

The FCSS seniors social programming includes pie and coffee time and group exercising weekly sessions at the FCSS building. They also host monthly dinners from September to May (except for December and January) at the Seniors' Drop-in Centre.

The event is a mainstay of many seniors in the community and something that has taken place for more than 20 years. In addition to the dinner, there is usually a guest speaker as well as a free blood-pressure clinic.

"We want to make sure it is safe and that everything complies with provincial public health guidelines," White said.

The biggest obstacle for the latter being physical distancing guidelines, especially for the dinners, with upwards of 100 seniors in attendance.

The good news is that after a brief hiatus due to COVID-19 the seniors' in-home support or light-housekeeping service is once again operational and is taking new clients.

Dewsnap noted workers have to adhere to new safety protocols that include the wearing of proper personal protective equipment (PPE), social distancing and a point-of-care assessment before they enter a client's home.

"There are a few facilities that we are not able to enter at this time," she said, noting specifically the seniors' accommodations run by the Barrhead and District Social Housing Association (BDSHA).

This limitation also includes puts a small kink into FCSS' new curbside connection program where a COVID connections coordinator organizes social calls in-person with appropriate social distancing. The program, for the most part, has been able to get around this through telephone calls and video conferencing.

The real problem, Dewsnap said, is that the program which is run two days a week is too popular.

However, regardless of whether or not a program has been paused due to the coronavirus, or is difficult to get into, et cetera, Dewsnap said FCSS is always there to help.
"If people need to reach out, we are available to talk," she said.

For more information about FCSS programming call 780-674-3341.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
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