Happy, Healthy and Independent

Fostering a stronger Niagara.

Happy in My Home Community Support Services Niagara (CSSN) is a nonclinical community support agency helping to support older aged individuals stay in the home of their choice through a “basket” of services like meals, transportation or homemaking.

“We are a critical part of our overall healthcare system in Niagara,” says Carolyn Askeland, Executive Director with Community Support Services Niagara. “We work collaboratively and cooperatively with our healthcare system to ensure that other parts of the system have capacity. We want to help people avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department and prevent longer admissions to hospital.”

The support and services of CSSN help foster a strong Niagara. There’s a fear among the elderly community that by receiving community services or extra help comes with a loss of independence. What clients of CSSN quickly realize is that these services allow them to remain in control of their life and most importantly stay in the home where they choose to be. Client caregivers also feel the impact of CSSN services as they get a chance to enjoy the company of their parents or loved ones when they aren’t always the sole person their elderly loved one is depending on. Their relationship with their loved ones can remain strong and rewarding until the very end. We know that the healthcare sector has been struggling to keep up with demand, and the support of United Way Niagara allows agencies like Community Support Services Niagara to ensure they have the dollars to implement their services and focus less on raising funds and more on the most important aspect of their agency – their clients. Just last year alone, Community Support Services Niagara was able to deliver over 50,000 meals to seniors right here in our community.