The Prince Albert Seniors Advocacy Centre has cancelled events and programming. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

covid-19

Seniors group responding to pandemic

Mar 16, 2020 | 4:37 PM

The Prince Albert Seniors Advocacy Centre is taking steps to protect members during this pandemic.

The organization has suspended all events and programming scheduled for March and April in response to COVID-19 virus. Vice president Jon Fryters said the virus is a major source of concern for members, especially older ones.

“The elderly and particularly the advanced elderly, so people closer to 80 years of age and beyond 80 years of age, are being targeted by this virus,” he said.

Fryters said the organization is working to keep seniors informed about the situation. The advocacy centre has been trying to keep more vulnerable members in the loop about what is going on by phone. Fryters has also provided clients with a write up containing the relevant information. He explained those who have not been well informed on the issue have had some of the biggest fears, which they’ve been able to help with.

“We’re trying to build a community of support of love and understanding,” he said.

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The current situation was having an effect on programming as the organization had around 14 people missing from a regular church service.

Along with the health concerns, Fryters said there are worries among members about the economic impacts, specifically the impact on the stock market. He added there has been lots of confusion over what has been going on as things are regularly changing.

For Fryters, the outbreak has been concerning personally as both he and his wife have family over in Europe, where the situation is more serious.

“It is a pretty scary period in history throughout the world,” he said.

Fryters said while they are doing the best, they can to keep the membership informed, but are limited in their ability to do so.

“We don’t have a direct pipeline into public health,” he said.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn