Weekend’s heavy snowfall serves as a reminder to keep an eye on elderly neighbours and relatives

Last winter, Ottawa Police officers were called when a concerned citizen hadn’t seen an elderly neighbour outside his residence for some time, whose driveway was completely snow-covered for weeks. Officers checked on the man, who was snowed in and living off the supplies he had on hand. The officers shoveled and used a snow blower to clear his driveway and city partners removed the mounds of ice build-up at the end of his driveway.

In light of the heavy snowfall this past weekend, Ottawa Police are asking everyone to keep a watchful eye on elderly neighbours. If you can lend a hand, it will surely be appreciated by those in their advanced years. If you can’t help out, but you see snow piling up, call police at 613-236-1222 so we can do a wellness check on the individual. If snow removal is an issue, seniors who qualify can use the City of Ottawa’s Snow Go Assist Program to get help.

If you have elderly relatives living on their own, be sure to check on them regularly to ensure snow from the roof, walkway and driveway is removed so they can safely leave and enter the house.