Seniors Resource Centre of Newfoundland & Labrador

Information Programs

Seniors Information Line

The central program of the Seniors Resource Centre is the Seniors Information Line which is toll free across the province. Seniors, or those concerned about seniors, call in with questions, such as how to access home support services; or where to get help with home repairs; or problems dealing with government departments for pensions and income tax; or concerns about issues such as transportation or elder abuse. The aim is to put callers in touch with services and resources that can help them. Follow up calls are made to make sure the callers obtain the needed assistance.

The Information Line is answered on a rotational basis by volunteer seniors, Peer Advocates. Seniors who call in find it helpful to talk to someone who has had similar life experiences. The Peer Advocates offer a listening ear and provide information and support.

Peer Advocates take part in a series of information sharing sessions to prepare them for their role. The seniors bring a life time of experience and the centre provides information about services and resources. The information sharing sessions include discussions on aging changes and challenges, communication, and problem solving.

To access the Seniors Information Line, call 737-2333 or call the toll free number 1-800-563-5599. Please note that the toll free number is only available within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

737-2333 or 1-800-563-5599

The Seniors Resource Centre has produced a Seniors Guide to Services and Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador which answers some of the most common questions asked on the Information Line.

Click here to download the
Seniors Guide to Services and Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Viewing this document requires Adobe® Reader®. Click here to download it.

Community Peer Advocates

Community Peer Advocates are volunteer seniors who provide information and assistance to seniors in their own communities across the province.

They are able to reach seniors who either do not know about the Seniors Information Line or do not feel comfortable using it.

The volunteers, 50 years and older, in each community take part in the series of Information Sharing sessions to prepare them for their role, which is to pass on information informally to other seniors whom they meet through their regular daily activities. The Information Sharing sessions include discussions on aging changes and challenges, communication (especially the importance of listening), and problem solving.

Depending on the comfort level of the Peer Advocates and the needs of the community, activities are planned at the local level. These may include advocating for needed services, or organizing meetings at which guest speakers discuss topics such as coping with vision and hearing loss, prevention of break-ins, safe medication use, heart health, coping with loss and bereavement, and elder abuse awareness.

Community Peer Advocates also have the opportunity to become involved in other projects offered through the Seniors Resource Centre, such as the Diabetes Awareness project, Project Upright, and Speaking Out about Elder Abuse.

In 1996 -1997, seniors in three areas, Trepassey, Bell Island and Port au Port, took part in information sharing sessions and became Peer Advocates. New volunteer Peer Advocates have since joined these groups which continue to help seniors and develop local programs. In 1998, seniors in four more areas, Grand Falls-Windsor, Clarenville, Burin, and Bay Roberts took part in information sharing sessions to prepare them for their role as Peer Advocates.

Peer Advocate groups were established in Cape St. George and in the Bay Bulls-Bauline area in 1999 and in the Calvert-Ferryland area in 2001. In 2002, some seniors from Bishop’s Falls took part in the series of Information Sharing Sessions and, also in that year, a group was formed in Botwood.

During 2002 - 2003, Peer Advocate groups were established in Bonavista and Fortune. In addition, Information Sharing Sessions were held in St. Anthony in 2004 and in Bishop's Falls in 2005.

Groups will be established wherever there is interest. On-going support is provided by local resource people as well as the Seniors Resource Centre. The centre also ensures that Peer Advocates are kept up-to-date with new information.

Click here for more information about Provincial Peer Advocate Groups

Link Program

The Link Program is a program that connect seniors who do not speak English with the Seniors Information Line.

Seniors Pride Newsletter

The Seniors Pride Newsletter is issued ten times per year to provide information as well as stories and poems. Available at the Centre, through programs, or by mail. If you wish to receive the Seniors Pride each month or if you have a story or poem you would like to share, please feel free to contact us.


	Information Programs Seniors Information Line The central program of the Seniors Resource Centre is the Seniors Information Line which is toll free across the province. Seniors, or those concerned about seniors, call in with questions, such as how to access home support services; or where to get help with home repairs; or problems dealing with government departments for pensions and income tax; or concerns about issues such as transportation or elder abuse. The aim is to put callers in touch with services and resources that can help them. Follow up calls are made to make sure the callers obtain the needed assistance. The Information Line is answered on a rotational basis by volunteer seniors, Peer Advocates. Seniors who call in find it helpful to talk to someone who has had similar life experiences. The Peer Advocates offer a listening ear and provide information and support. Peer Advocates take part in a series of information sharing sessions to prepare them for their role. The seniors bring a life time of experience and the centre provides information about services and resources. The information sharing sessions include discussions on aging changes and challenges, communication, and problem solving. To access the Seniors Information Line, call 737-2333 or call the toll free number 1-800-563-5599. Please note that the toll free number is only available within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. 737-2333 or 1-800-563-5599 The Seniors Resource Centre has produced a Seniors Guide to Services and Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador which answers some of the most common questions asked on the Information Line. Click here to download the Seniors Guide to Services and Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. Viewing this document requires Adobe® Reader®. Click here to download it. Community Peer Advocates Community Peer Advocates are volunteer seniors who provide information and assistance to seniors in their own communities across the province. They are able to reach seniors who either do not know about the Seniors Information Line or do not feel comfortable using it. The volunteers, 50 years and older, in each community take part in the series of Information Sharing sessions to prepare them for their role, which is to pass on information informally to other seniors whom they meet through their regular daily activities. The Information Sharing sessions include discussions on aging changes and challenges, communication (especially the importance of listening), and problem solving. Depending on the comfort level of the Peer Advocates and the needs of the community, activities are planned at the local level. These may include advocating for needed services, or organizing meetings at which guest speakers discuss topics such as coping with vision and hearing loss, prevention of break-ins, safe medication use, heart health, coping with loss and bereavement, and elder abuse awareness. Community Peer Advocates also have the opportunity to become involved in other projects offered through the Seniors Resource Centre, such as the Diabetes Awareness project, Project Upright, and Speaking Out about Elder Abuse. In 1996 -1997, seniors in three areas, Trepassey, Bell Island and Port au Port, took part in information sharing sessions and became Peer Advocates. New volunteer Peer Advocates have since joined these groups which continue to help seniors and develop local programs. In 1998, seniors in four more areas, Grand Falls-Windsor, Clarenville, Burin, and Bay Roberts took part in information sharing sessions to prepare them for their role as Peer Advocates. Peer Advocate groups were established in Cape St. George and in the Bay Bulls-Bauline area in 1999 and in the Calvert-Ferryland area in 2001. In 2002, some seniors from Bishop’s Falls took part in the series of Information Sharing Sessions and, also in that year, a group was formed in Botwood. During 2002 - 2003, Peer Advocate groups were established in Bonavista and Fortune. In addition, Information Sharing Sessions were held in St. Anthony in 2004 and in Bishop's Falls in 2005. Groups will be established wherever there is interest. On-going support is provided by local resource people as well as the Seniors Resource Centre. The centre also ensures that Peer Advocates are kept up-to-date with new information. Click here for more information about Provincial Peer Advocate Groups Link Program The Link Program is a program that connect seniors who do not speak English with the Seniors Information Line. Seniors Pride Newsletter The Seniors Pride Newsletter is issued ten times per year to provide information as well as stories and poems. Available at the Centre, through programs, or by mail. If you wish to receive the Seniors Pride each month or if you have a story or poem you would like to share, please feel free to contact us.