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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 9, 2008 - 13 Helpline just for seniors By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Starting this week, seniors in Halton have another advocate in their corner. Actually, they have 15 of them. All are well-trained volunteers at the ready, on the other end of a telephone help line. That's when phone lines of the Halton Seniors Helpline open, at 1866-457-8252, from Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. These specialists in seniors' issues were plucked from the Seniors And Law enforcement Together (SALT) group, which is a partnership with the Halton Regional Police, as well as churches and the wider community. The help line is the brainchild of Darlene Cox, who approached Halton's top cop for elder abuse Detective Constable Jackie Brennan one year ago, requesting the help line for seniors. Brennan took the request to her boss Bob Percy who said `yes' to the idea. The funding hurdle was next. But New Horizons for Seniors came through in November with a $19,000 grant for the pilot project. Seniors, perhaps more than any other segment of the population, face "We want to build comfort with the senior on the other end of the phone, to act as a sounding board and steer callers in the right direction." Darlene Cox Polar Swim for shelter While Oakville hosted Canada's largest Polar Bear Dip event -- the 23rd annual Courage Brothers' Polar Bear Dip for World Vision -- Halton Women's Place will benefit from a Burlington dip on Sunday, Feb. 3. Emma's BackPorch will host its annual Polar Bear Swim event at 5 p.m. at 2084 Old Lakeshore Rd., Burlington. Those taking part can wrap up in a hot tub and watch the Super Bowl. Last year, the event raised close to $8,000 for Halton's only women's shelter. For a pledge sheet, call Carm Bozzo at 905-332-1200, ext. 224 or email cbozzo@haltonwomensplace.com. myriad issues such as scams aimed at bilking them of cash, as well as legal, housing and health issues, loneliness, help with daily house chores, caregiving, support and family strife. Cox became concerned that seniors weren't getting all the information and support they needed to handle these predicaments and worries due to low turnout at sessions organized by SALT. "Over the year we noticed fewer and fewer seniors were coming out and those who did were already well informed," said Cox. Perhaps revealing abuses and fears face-to-face was the reason for the low turnout. With the anonymity guaranteed through a phone call, Cox figured a help line would be able to reach more seniors in the region. "We don't want to take away their ability to stand on their own two feet. Instead, we want to build comfort with the senior on the other end of the phone, to act as a sounding board and steer callers in the right direction," added Cox. Through training generously provided by Kate Greenfield and Sandy Beveridge, who worked with the Oakville Distress Centre for years, volunteers are well aware of the wealth of services and agencies available to help. Referrals to Links 2 Care, for example, could be given to a senior in need of help cutting their grass, or cleaning their house. Or a spouse caring for a partner with Alzheimer's disease may be interested in knowing more about the family support meetings run by the Alzheimer Society of Hamilton and Halton. "We won't solve problems such as find affordable housing, but we can help put people on the list for it," said Cox. The timing is right for the helpline as the senior population in Halton is expected to grow. An estimated 130,000 seniors will call the region home by 2035. 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