EXTRA MILES SENIOR VISITING PROGRAM

Extra Miles Senior Visiting Program was developed by a member of Montreal West United Church, following the 1998 ice storm.  Joan Foster, a nurse at the NDG/Montréal-Ouest CLSC, realized that many seniors were housebound with hardly any outside contact.  Except for medical appointments and sometimes a visiting nurse, seniors were mostly on their own.

Today, Extra Miles is a volunteer-based program to benefit seniors living in the communities of NDG/Montreal West.  Following a referral received from a nurse or social worker at the CLSC NDG/Montréal-Ouest, volunteers try to reach out by visiting once a week.  Companionship and support are greatly appreciated in what can otherwise be a very lonely life.  As a friendly visitor, the volunteer can either listen actively or provide stimulating conversation.  Common interests, such as reading, music, travel, even gardening, are bound to show up.  Either way, it makes a senior feel needed and both are enriched with stories, anecdotes and life experiences.  The volunteer brings the outside world in.

As well as our friendly visiting program, Extra Miles organizes an annual Intergenerational Activity with students from the local primary schools and seniors from the communities of NDG and Montreal West.

Musical Wednesday is the annual benefit concert courtesy of musicians from the OSM.  This is an afternoon dedicated to seniors who do not have an opportunity to go to Place- des-Arts.  Following the one hour concerts, seniors are invited to stay for tea and sweets.

This outreach program’s mission is to provide companionship to seniors, understanding the many challenges, and maintain their well-being.

On April 1^st, Extra Miles presented the 3^rd annual Musical Wednesday by welcoming musicians from the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.  The benefit concert was attended by several community organizations serving the senior population.

This year Marty Mangrum, Bassoonist with the orchestra, Olga Gross, Pianist and three students from Mr. Mangrum’s class at the McGill Conservatory presented pieces composed for the bassoon, a most interesting instrument.  Following the concert, members of the audience, including three classes from Elizabeth Ballantyne School, were able to ask the guest musicians questions about the bassoon, such as when the first bassoon was made, what materials are used and how much it would cost to buy one – quite a lot, actually!   In the tradition of these concerts, the concert goers were invited for tea and sweets in Wadsworth Hall, courtesy of many bakers from our church.  It’s always a wonderful afternoon for seniors to gather, be treated to beautiful music and engage with students from our local school.