The proposed elimination of home mail delivery by Canada Post will have an impact on seniors and people with limited mobility, according to the general manager of the Prince George Council of Seniors.
For seniors with limited mobility, getting to a community mailbox, especially in poor weather, "is going to be challenging," Lola-Dawn Fennell said.
In addition, mail carriers may be one of the few human contacts socially or physically isolated seniors may have in the day, Fennell said.
"The posties that do routes get to know their regulars - they know who comes out and chats with them every day," she said. "There really is a value in having eyes and ears in the community."
The council has already heard concerns from seniors about the potential impacts, she added.
Vincent Sherry, chairperson of the city's Advisory Committee on Accessibility, said the committee has not had a chance to discuss the issue, but he expects it will be addressing it in the new year.
"We're all going to have accessibility issues at some point," Sherry said.
"Even if the weather is great... home delivery is very important for a lot of people."
Snow challenges
The extreme snowfall over the past two days poses extra challenges for seniors and people with limited mobility, Fennell and Sherry said.
"I'm a senior and I don't drive and depend on the bus. It's very challenging," Fennell said. "Our biggest concern is this office organizes Meals on Wheels. Many of our volunteers couldn't get out of their driveways."
Fennell said she believes all the Meals on Wheels meals were delivered on Thursday, which can be essential for seniors who can't get out of their homes. The heavy snow can make it difficult for seniors who need to get out of their homes for dialysis and important medical appointments as well.
"They may not have the ability to shop or cook for themselves," Fennell said.
"We've had requests like mad for volunteer shovellers [to shovel driveways]."
The council has had to triage the limited number of volunteers to the most priority cases first, she said.
"When we get a dump of snow like this, take a look around your own neighbourhood first," she said.
"If there is a senior or person with mobility issues, maybe be a good neighbour and shovel their driveway. Neighbours should take care of neighbours."
For information about the Prince George Meals on Wheels program or volunteer snow shovelling, call the seniors' information line at 250-564-9100.
