CANADA: Seniors From India Say Canadians Care

TORONTO (SCARBOROUGH MIRROR), June 14, 2005: Sohan Bahl came to Canada from India at an age when most people prefer not to make that kind of transition. After retirement at 65, Bahl decided to settle in Canada just to stay close to his only son who settled in the U.S. Three years later, Bahl said he is a happy man as the country has adopted him and he no longer feels like an alien. Bahl's is not an isolated case. Many people from India settle in Canada at a ripe age due to various circumstances. Settlement in new place may seem easy in youth, but in old age it is a big task. So how did Bahl succeed in adjusting to new surroundings? "Well, all credit for my adjusting well goes to this country, which has a very well-built infrastructure to take care of the senior citizens," Bahl said. For instance, the transportation in Canada is excellent and senior citizens are offered discounts. Jasbinder Singh, who is Bahl's friend, agreed that seniors are taken care of particularly in healthcare, which he said is excellent. "Free medical examination is available here for the senior citizens. No cost is charged for the medicines offered by the physician, which is certainly laudable." And Bahl's views are justified when one realizes the number of organizations working for the welfare of senior citizens. North York Golden Care, Don Mills Foundation and Storefront Humber Inc. are among some of the organizations that have been offering their services to seniors. "We provide home services to the old people who are in need," said Tina DeMarco of North York Golden Care. "They just have to ring us and our volunteers reach their place within no time." Storefront Humber Inc. also runs several programs for the senior citizens including the adult day program, friendly visiting, home help, respite care and a well-elderly centre. In one of their unique programs, telephone reassurance, volunteers provide support to isolated seniors through regular phone calls to ensure their health and safety. These organizations serve the people irrespective of the community they belong to. "The senior citizens are the backbone of our society, you serve them and they nourish the society with their rich experiences. These oldies are the real goldies of the society," says a volunteer who works for Storefront Humber Inc. By Archana Mishra