Scarborough seniors are getting potentially life-saving support from a community health group. Despite this flu season being particularly severe, they know they will be taken care of.

The Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) is a non-profit community health organization. The staff makes sure their clients get the flu shot in time.

“With our less mobile seniors, the threat of pneumonia comes with the threat of being fatal,” Sheena Howe said. “They are definitely a priority for getting the flu shot.”

Howe is the supportive housing manager for the SCHC, serving about 100 clients at two Toronto Community Housing locations on Lawrence Avenue East as well as other residents of the Scarborough community.

The SCHC also has solutions for more active seniors to get transportation to the many flu clinics the SCHC manages.

“We also have our own program, Scarborough Ride. We can provide transportation to medical appointments with a day’s notice.” Howe said.

They can easily set up an appointment by calling the clinic for a small fee of $5.

The SCHC was notified about the severity of the flu this season by several Ontario health agencies. They were prepared for the worst.

“We´ve done a great job in preparing because we have been able to meet the majority of our target population and have them vaccinated,” Howe said. “We´ve done a really great job in planning this year.”

In addition to helping them battle the flu, SCHC services are a friendly face for the people they serve.

Howe added that many of their clients are isolated and that they appreciate having someone to talk to when they get help from the nurses and personal support workers at SCHC.