Collaboration Benefits Seniors: Two Heads Are Better

Have you ever heard the expression that two heads are better than one? It can be traced back to the 1500s and essentially means working together on a problem is better than going at it alone. Think of the last time you had a problem – did you seek advice from a friend or family member? We can often benefit from someone else’s perspective, and in the end, come up with a better solution.

Partnerships and collaborations between senior serving organizations can play a valuable role in improving the lives of older adults. Collaborations can lead to new innovative programs and a greater awareness of the resources available to support Manitobans and their desire to age in place.

Incredible things can happen when organizations work together and the impact it has on some of the most vulnerable people in our community can be life-changing. Victoria Lifeline has been honoured to partner with organizations across the province for the last thirty-seven years. We are grateful for our membership with the groundbreaking BOSS group (Businesses and Organizations Serving Seniors) here in Winnipeg. Let’s look at why partnering with local organizations matter.

Improved Access to Support

Whether you live in Winnipeg or Russell, Lac du Bonnet or Swan Lake, or any of the 350 Manitoba communities Victoria Lifeline serves, you can subscribe to the service and have it personally installed by a trained representative. But it hasn’t always been that way - back when Victoria Lifeline first opened its doors in 1988 as an axillary service of Victoria Hospital Foundation, they primarily served people living in South Winnipeg. Eventually, they recruited volunteers to install and service clients throughout Winnipeg but could not help people outside the city limits. So, Victoria Lifeline reached out to an organization in Stonewall and their very first partnership was born. They now partner with 66 organizations across the province to provide the same local, face-to-face service that’s so important for older adults. Through collaboration, seniors can access the support of a life-saving medical alarm whether they live in a small town or a big city.

Combining Resources

One of the most amazing benefits of collaboration happens when organizations pool their resources together to make an even bigger impact. When senior serving organizations partner with healthcare providers, businesses, and other non-profits, they can increase not only their impact but their overall reach as well.

Victoria Lifeline cares deeply about the health and well-being of the community. With a long history of dedicated impact initiatives, their vision is to create an accessible, connected care model that supports independent living in Manitoba. By combining resources with Victoria Hospital Foundation through the Healthy Community Partnership Grant, which supports opportunities for health promotion across the province and the joint Connected Care program with WRHA Homecare, where high-risk homecare clients access the Victoria Lifeline service at no cost, Victoria Lifeline can reach more people in need.

Sharing Information

For older adults and their families, navigating the healthcare system and finding the right social service agency to help their loved one age in place can be challenging. Recognizing those challenges, Rafiq Punjani, owner of Right at Home, a local homecare company, had an incredible idea - what if we formed an organization made up of businesses and organizations serving seniors to collaborate on ways we could help people together? And from that idea, B.O.S.S. was born!  A mix of non-profit and for-profit organizations, the B.O.S.S. group is dedicated to connecting Winnipeg's seniors with trusted resources that enrich their lives. They partner with reputable businesses and organizations offering healthcare, home help, and community services – all at a fair price.

All older adults in Winnipeg deserve to get the help they need & deserve. We’re just making it a little easier to find it.”— Rafiq Punjani, Founder of B.O.S.S.

B.O.S.S. members frequently share information to help solve a problem someone is facing or connect seniors with trusted resources that can help them live independently for as long as possible.  Victoria Lifeline is a proud member of B.O.S.S. and we are working together to improve the lives of older adults.

If you haven’t already – check out the resource directory for a listing of B.O.S.S. organizations.