The federal government has announced more than 1,000 new projects will be delivered by community organizations across the country to support seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors, said groups will receive up to $25,000 in funding to offer immediate COVID-19 relief or recovery activities to seniors. The projects, which are funded through an investment of $20 million in funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), include activities such as:

  • promoting computer literacy and virtual activities, such as exercise classes;

  • supporting the delivery of food and medication or personalized monitoring of seniors by phone or by videoconference;

  • assisting seniors with essential activities, such as visits to the doctor;

  • hiring staff to replace a loss of volunteerism capacity due to the outbreak;

  • providing information to seniors regarding how to care for themselves in light of experiences relating to the pandemic; and

  • providing training on disease prevention and use of personal protective equipment.

Projects were selected based on equitable distribution of funding across the country, after consideration of active projects taking place in communities. Projects focusing on vulnerable populations or serving rural and remote communities were prioritized.