New senior services coordinator settling in

By Rob Vogt
It has been about three months since Jennifer Fawcett started her role as senior services coordinator with Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services, and she has been settling in nicely.
She started on Jan. 5, and has been busy connecting with seniors.
“That’s so when they need help, they know a face they can go to,” Fawcett said.
That help can take a number of forms.
Fawcett assists with programming; provides information on benefits and services for seniors; and helps them fill out forms.
“We try to help them navigate government programs,” she said.
Fawcett also raises awareness of elder abuse and connects with Senior Protect.
So far, she has enjoyed the experience these first few months.
“I love it,” she said. “I really enjoy seniors.
“I like the idea of being able to help people.”
Fawcett also finds the role challenging, because anything can come through the door.
“It’s a lot of learning,” she said. “I have a lot of learning to do.”
She brings a wide range of experience to her role to help her with that.
Most recently Fawcett worked with the day care in Granum, and has just earned her certificate in early learning and child care.
Before that she managed the Granum Library.
Fawcett also holds a master’s degree in sociology, focusing on areas such as aging, death, dying, bereavement and more.
With that background, she taught university courses in Quebec, in special care counselling.
Now Fawcett wants to utilize all that experience in her role with Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services.
“I’d like to bring more awareness of the needs of seniors,” she said, adding she wants to connect with them, see what they need, and work on that.
“I want to open that communication.”
She also wants to help seniors who may be feeling isolated.
“I want to help people find community,” Fawcett said. “I want people to feel they can walk in and say hi.
“If they need a familiar face, there’s someone down here they can talk to.”