Our struggling economy is impacting the lives of countless seniors in Nanaimo. There are programs aimed specifically for their needs, listed below.
Helpful Links
LRCA Seniors’ Advocacy: Supports and advocates for seniors in the Ladysmith area, helping them to remain healthy and in their own homes.
LRCA Medical Transport: Offers free transportation with a wheelchair accessible van to Ladysmith seniors who have medical appointments in Duncan or Nanaimo.
NFLA Better At Home Program: Provides simple non-medical home support services on an income-based sliding scale. Services include light housekeeping and light yard work.
NFLA Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors (TAPS): Free social, mental, and physical activation programming for isolated and/or marginalized seniors. Zoom and in person activities.
ElderDog Nanaimo walks dogs for seniors for free. Also offers free emergency dog fostering for people in hospital or shelters, free transportation to vet appointments, dog food pickups, minor grooming.
Library Delivery for Homebound residents: Free library selection and delivery service offered by Altrusa Nanaimo volunteers.
TD Bank No Monthly Fee Chequing Account: Seniors (60 years or older) collecting Guaranteed Income Supplement are eligible for the TD Minimum Chequing Account for free.
BC Seniors and Pensioners Nanaimo: Offers low-cost activities, meals, support and advocacy.
Nanaimo Harbour City Seniors: Provides opportunities for seniors in our community to lead more meaningful, active, healthy and complete lives.
Volunteer Nanaimo – Silver Adventures Cafe: Are you looking for a place to meet other seniors, try new things and have fun? We will be offering games, crafts, guest speakers, music, & cultural events. Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea and snacks. silveradventurescafe@gmail.com
Seniors First BC – Advance Planning Clinics: can help eligible low-income older adults (55+) with drafting and executing Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Representation Agreements.
Food
NFLA Food Security Targeted Funds for Older Adults: Includes a volunteer grocery shopping service as well as food bank collection and delivery.
Nanaimo Foodshare: Generations Eating Together Program. Ages 55+. Includes monthly social eating and food skill activities with other adults.
Meals on Wheels Nanaimo: Serves people who require a nutritious hot meal on a daily basis. Meals can be provided on an ongoing basis or short term if you are recovering from illness or surgery.
Nanaimo Family Life Association – Seniors Peer Counselling program: provides counselling and support to alleviate loneliness and isolation of seniors who are 55+ years old. The service is offered in the home, our office, and community. Seniors are encouraged to enjoy healthy aging through physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Internet
Rogers Connected for Success Program: Discounted internet, cell phones and cable television services.
Telus Connecting for Good Program: Discounted internet, cell phones, and computers.
Housing
NFLA Seniors Housing Information & Navigation Ease Program: Provides information on housing options for seniors (60+). Includes advice, advocacy, and support completing applications.
CMHA Mid-Island Street Reach Program: Offers support with locating temporary and permanent shelter, including crisis supplements, applications and advocacy.
BC Housing Seniors’ Supportive Housing Program: Provides low-income seniors and people with disabilities accessible housing with supports.
BC Housing Subsidized Housing Program: Long-term housing for low-income BC residents. Rental fees are calculated on a rent geared to income basis (30% of household total gross income.
Connective Nanaimo Housing First Program: Connects people at risk of homelessness to rental supports. Services available to clients with a history of experiencing barriers to finding safe, secure housing.
BC Housing Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) Program: Offers rental supplements for low-income BC seniors renting in the private market.
Woodgrove Senior Citizens Housing Society: Providing people 55 years of age and over and those with designated disabilities with affordable rental housing.
Senior Discounts
BC Bus Pass: The BC government offers a reduced-cost BC Bus Pass Program for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities, providing unlimited access to BC Transit buses. Applications can be done online at My Self Serve, and more information and for other methods of application visit the BC Government website or call 1-866-866-0800 for more information.
BC Senior Camping Discount: The BC Senior Camping Discount gives B.C. residents who are 65 or older a half-price rate. This discounted rate applies only to camping fees for frontcountry campgrounds in the off-peak season (the day after Labour Day to June 14).
Salvation Army Thrift Store: 10% off daily at participating Thrift Store locations to every guest aged 60 years and older. This discount cannot be combined with any other promotional offer.
Value Village: Every Tuesday all shoppers aged 60 and up receive a 30% discount. Excludes new merchandise (red tags).
The Bay: Every Tuesday is Seniors day for all shoppers 55 and up. EXTRA 15% OFF Regular, sale and clearance items. Instore only.
Rexall: Every Tuesday, save 20% with your Be Well Rewards Card on regular priced merchandise for customers age 55 and up.
Michael’s: 10% OFF. Regular & Sale Price Purchases Every Day. Limit one senior discount per product. Limit one senior discount per day. In store only. Must be 55 years or older. Must show valid ID. Limited to stock on hand.
BC Ferries: BC Seniors aged 65 and up travel free on select routes Monday to Thursday with valid ID.
Shoppers Drug Mart: Seniors save 20% Every Thursday. Save 20% with a PC Optimum card on almost all regular priced merchandise.
Bosley’s/Pet Valu: Loyalty members age 60+ save 10% on regularly priced merchandise on the last Thursday of every month.
Pomme Natural Market: 10% Seniors discount every Thursday (excludes eggs, milk, and advertised sales). Must be 65 years+.
Hullo Ferries: Discounted fares for seniors.
Charlie Brown’s Health Foods: 15% discount on select items first Saturday of each month.
Bulk Barn: Every Wednesday customers age 65+ save 15% on regular priced products. May be used in conjunction with coupons.
Exit Nanaimo Escape Rooms: Players over the age of 50 will get a 25% Discount on Tuesdays.
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 