2 The Sentinel - <strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong> — Vol. 48, No. 8
The Guelph/Wellington Seniors Association A non-profit organization based at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre http://www.gwsa-guelph.ca A MESSAGE FROM THE GWSA PRESIDENT 3 Directors & Officers Linda Jeffrey — Executive Director Pat Gage — President Donna Keating — Vice-President Art Roelofsen — Treasurer Directors Charlie Bishop Sam Montoya Karen Kelly Cathryn Corissoz Elizabeth Steggles Yvonne Thomas Jeff Millard The Sentinel Team Carol Croft — Adminstrator, Printer Linda Green — Editor, Printer George Hughes — Printer Ray Miller — Part-time Assistant All of the above GWSA members are Volunteers. City Staff TBA — Supervisor, Senior Services Jill Hunt — Customer Service Clerk Jenn Bucci — Recreation Program Co-ordinator — Senior Services Becky MacDonald — Recreation Co-ordinator — Volunteers Mark Leeming — Chef Joan Moynihan — Sous Chef Kitchen & Dining Room Staff — Volunteers Earlier in the year, I had mentioned that I would be touching base on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This was deferred due to 2 very important Messages From The GWSA Board President, Pat Gage. <strong>April</strong> has arrived! Don’t get fooled on the 1st! Before I touch base on raising the awareness of some really impacting programs/initiatives, including AI, I want to mention the new GWSA Office location at The Evergreen. There is now direct access from the hallway and new signage above the entrance door. (My favourite thing about the new office is the “awesomely cute” decorated flower pots above Executive Director Linda Jeffrey’s desk. I WANT THEM ALL! I was chatting with some family/friends on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it supports and can further support our senior population. Not only that, but programs and technology presently worth mentioning. Below are 3 situations where a smart watch, a battery-operated bracelet, technology, including AI, is/can be really significant in supporting the senior population. Due to the importance of the information, I have included the links AND also noted parts (or most) of the information to support those that don’t have the ability to follow the links. (The links may also provide you with future status updates on the initiatives). Finally, due to the importance of the information, I have not altered it. 1) A good place to start is Guelph Today in which it was reported that Guelph Police are crediting a senior’s smart watch for getting him the help he needed in an emergency. “At around 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, police received an automated 911 call from an Apple Watch, which indicated its user had fallen and provided their location in a commercial parking lot. Police communicators were able to contact the wearer, a man in his late 70s, who was having trouble speaking. Emergency crews were then sent to the area and helped the man, who had fallen on ice.” https://www.guelphtoday.com/police/smart-watch-brings-help-forsenior-who-fell-8160489 Evergreen Seniors Community Centre A City of Guelph Recreation Facility run in partnership with the Community Services Department of the City of Guelph and the Guelph/ Wellington Seniors Association 683 Woolwich St., Guelph, ON, N1H 3Y8 Tel.: 519-837-5699 / Fax: 519-823-8972 Hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm M-F (closed Statutory Holidays) Read The Sentinel on our website, www.gwsa-guelph.ca ISSN: 0383 817X 2) Project Lifesaver Guelph Wellington https://vswguelph.on.ca/programs/project-lifesaver-wellington “Project Lifesaver Guelph Wellington assists caregivers and responds to the challenges of keeping loved ones safe when they wander due to Alzheimer’s, Autism or other forms of cognitive impairment. Participants wear a battery-operated bracelet that sends an FM radio signal 24 hours a day. It even works in areas such as buildings and forests. Volunteers from Victim Services Wellington visit each client once a month to change the battery. When a caregiver tells their local police service that a client has gone missing, trained police officers will use Project Lifesaver equipment to search for and locate the missing person. (Continued on page 4) NOTE: Disclaimer—The Sentinel and the GWSA do not necessarily agree with or support statements in the Sentinel made by advertisers, or submissions by writers (no political or religious topics please). The Sentinel - <strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>