Help Save an Elderly Senior

Hello Community,

I am Erin Turner, an accredited Seniors Real Estate Specialist® with RE/MAX Crest and the Founder of Seniors Real Estate Solutions. On the morning of October 7th, I received a distressing call from an elderly woman. After three days filled with phone calls, emails, and ineligible online applications. So, here I am, waving my virtual flag on GoFundMe, hoping we can band together as a community and rescue this sweet elderly lady! Let's make some magic happen!

This cry for help pertains to a 75-year-old female, approximately 4 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 90 pounds. She suffers from advanced osteoporosis, characterized by a visibly curved upper back due to weakened spinal bones that have compressed and fractured. She faces post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Present moment, facing significant stress and feelings of panic while living with chronic pain. Currently, she resides alone in a dimly lit basement suite within a market housing detached home in need of unit repairs and decluttering. She has no children, husband has passed on, no living family members locally and lacks able-bodied friends to help. She does not drive, does not possess a driver's license, and relies on BC Transit or taxi for appointments. She neither owns a computer nor has access to the internet.

Her Story

She has been facing challenges living on her pension as most seniors do, struggling with high rent for a dimly lit basement that requires significant repairs. Following a five-year wait for subsidized senior housing, she was finally granted a placement three weeks ago. With a little community boost, I am hopeful to see her move into her new home by the end of this month with reduced challenges.

She was incredibly excited about the surprise news! However, she soon realized she had underestimated the overall transition—both financially and physically. This elderly woman reached out to a moving company on September 14th, which claimed to have experience working with seniors and offered to draft a quotation soon, along with promises of free moving grants through Service BC programs.

Unfortunately, the company abandoned her last week after determining that she did not qualify for any of the free grants, prompting her to panic and seek assistance through the 411 Seniors call center.

This is the moment I was contacted. The senior call center shared my contact information with her, indicating that I might be aware of resources that could help her. After hearing her backstory, which I choose not to share fully out of respect for this elderly lady's dignity, I was taken aback by the significant gap in our system that left her without emergency assistance for her present situation.

As I said earlier this realization sparked a three-day journey filled with countless calls, emails, and an in-person appointment at the Ministry of Social Development, among other efforts.

Just when it seemed like there was a glimmer of hope for her to qualify for a specific program I managed to source, I discovered that she had previously participated in it around 2022. During that time, she received an emergency loan. Which she is currently repaying $28 in monthly installments over four years. As a result, she is unlikely to qualify for any financial relief. Additionally, there are numerous documents to download, complete, and submit, alongside mandatory paperwork that must be provided before her application can even enter the review queue. With time running out and her transition occurring in less than two weeks, this situation appears to be a long shot. Again, she neither owns a computer to scan over documents in a timely manner.

Curious? why she enrolled in this program earlier? Well, me too, I learned, the need to access this program stemmed from a mistake made by a free senior tax service in our community. This error resulted in a financial complication with her government pension benefits, necessitating her reliance on emergency funds to cover her rent that followed her tax return. It's important to note that this situation is not her fault; instead, it highlights the trust placed in a senior member who had confidence in the capabilities and competence of free community services.

This fragile senior was struggling to secure the right moving services and downsizing care team for her upcoming transition to a senior building. Her physical impairment complicates downsizing, as she cannot manage heavy tasks such as lifting, packing, unpacking, and organizing her set-up and home modifications needed. Her medical fragility further limits her strength and energy, making it difficult for her to move and settle safely.

As a Senior Advisor for Seniors Real Estate Solutions, I felt it was imperative to support her, despite her not owning real estate. She could easily be a parent or grandparent to many, and we may find ourselves in a similar situation one day.

The funds raised will comprehensively address her personalized moving transition needs, encompassing essential safety equipment and measures intended to enhance her well-being as she settles to her new environment. In the unfortunate event that another call for assistance arises, IF any additional funds raised beyond the initial target will be allocated to a contingency fund to support future needs of seniors in crisis.

In addition to my regular daily work responsibilities as a full time RE/MAX agent and Senior Advisor at Seniors Real Estate Solutions, I am committed to serving as her advocate, escort, and support person. Let’s come together and help her into her new home, allowing her to enjoy more of her pension for life's little pleasures. At 75 years old, I hope for her smooth transition, the opportunity to make friends within her new community, and to find peace and comfort during her golden years that are left.

Thank you in advance for any contribution, no matter how small, that can make a significant impact.

With heartfelt love,

Erin Turner