Check on vulnerable neighbours after storms: seniors group
New Brunswickers need to remember to check on vulnerable neighbours after snowstorms, according to the president of the New Brunswick Senior Citizens Federation.
Robea Cormier says one senior in Kent County got stuck in her home in the latest blizzard, but thankfully neighbours noticed and dug her out.
Cormier is asking people to keep an eye on seniors, especially those who live alone.
"If they know that there is somebody near that can look after them, well they are more secure. So I think it is important for everybody to look after their neighbours."
Flora Dell, a seniors activist in Moncton, says the latest storm got the best of her, too.
Dell says she was worried about getting trapped in her house.
And when she saw snow coming in under the garage door, she did something she usually doesn't attempt.
"I was a little worried about the garage door freezing shut and I couldn't get out the front door and I did what I shouldn't do, I shovelled and I did hurt my back and had to see the doctor," she says.
Dell says she's on the road to recovery and neighbours have been helping her out by walking her dog.
She says it gives seniors a sense of comfort when help is handy.
"We need to look out for each other," she says.
Seniors registry in Moncton
The city of Moncton does have a senior's registry. Seniors who live alone can submit their name and contact information to the Moncton Fire Department.
In the event of an emergency, firefighters will contact people on the registry to make sure everyone is safe.
Fire Chief Eric Arsenault says the registry is used only in extreme circumstances.
"The importance of the registry is certainly for us to be able to know where people are and reach out to them in times of civic crisis, by that we mean, when disasters are declared or emergency measures are kicked in," he says.
Meanwhile, Cormier says seniors would appreciate a helping hand in what has been one of the worst winters she remembers.
"It was a hard winter for the seniors because at the beginning of the winter it was ice and then the snow came and it's not easy when you cannot walk too far or you cannot shovel, so it is a hard winter for the seniors," she says.
