Two Kamloops seniors groups are vying to run a service program that would help elderly people stay in their homes longer.

Ann McCarthy, community developer for the Better At Home program, said Tuesday that Kamloops might be the first of 18 communities to get the program up and running.

Better At Home is a program being overseen by the United Way of the Lower Mainland to provide services like snow removal, yard work, grocery shopping and housekeeping — services that would help seniors stay at home longer.

UWLM is overseeing $15 million from the province, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, to seed the program in up to 60 communities throughout B.C. The initial list of communities has 18 names, including Kamloops.

McCarthy said a public meeting is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the Cottonwood Centre from 10 a.m. to noon.

The meeting will also include officials from the UWLM, who will decide which community agency is best suited to take on the program.

That group will get up to $100,000 to set up and co-ordinate the volunteers who will provide services to seniors in their homes. There is a cost to seniors, based on a sliding scale and need. The money goes back into the program.

The money is available until mid-2015, to help get the programs established. McCarthy said she’s hoping to get the Kamloops program up and running by January.

The service is available to people with disabilities and seniors 55 or older. The most vulnerable will be prioritized.