Northern BC Senior Support

Eight communities in Northern BC will benefit from the announcement of the $587, 000 age-friendly grant support for seniors in 2018.

The hopes are with this funding, seniors will be able to live a more enjoyable and active life within their community.

“Seniors spent their lives building our communities – it’s important that they are included in them as they age. When we make communities age-friendly, we make them more accessible for everyone,” says Health Minister Adrian Dix

Grants will be distributed to Fort St. John, Fraser Lake, Kitimat, Prince George, Quesnel, Smithers, Stewart and Wells.

Fort St. John

• Project: Age-friendly assessment and action plan
• Grant support: $25,000
• Details: A multi-phase approach will move Fort St. John forward as an age-friendly community. The assessment will focus on the inventory of age-friendly assets, identify barriers and needs, and determine priorities for Fort St. John’s older adult population.

Fraser Lake

• Project: Fraser Lake Walk and Roll project
• Grant support: $7,186
• Details: The Walk and Roll project will provide opportunities for social interaction, learning and physical activities for seniors living in this rural community by increasing the use of the community vehicle. Monthly excursions will be arranged for seniors and their caregivers to access recreation facilities for activities such as aquafit.

Kitimat

• Project: An age-friendly action plan
• Grant support: $23,550
• Details: Kitimat is responding to a recent housing study that identifies the district as a community that has a large proportion of 65 and older residents that is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years. The action plan will assist the district in updating the official community plan, a crucial step in identifying the needs of seniors and providing for future updates to improve and enhance seniors‘ services.

Prince George

• Project: Active Seniors! Active Communities!
• Grant support: $15,000
• Details: City staff will work with the seven community associations in Prince George to develop age-friendly recreational programs, activities, and events, including inter-generational programs that will foster respect and learning between seniors and youth.

Quesnel

• Project: Age-friendly assessment and strategic plan
• Grant support: $25,000
• Details: Quesnel recognizes that resident retention, including seniors, is important to the long-term vibrancy of its community. This assessment of the city’s age-friendly capacity will set the foundation for the development of a plan, priorities, and activities to enable more seniors to age in place.

Smithers

• Project: Accessible books for seniors with vision disabilities
• Grant support: $3,000
• Details: The town of Smithers is working with its public library to create an inclusive atmosphere by offering larger-print and audio books for older adults and visually impaired members of the community. By encouraging reading, library use and community participation, the project coordinators hope to help combat isolation of its seniors.

Stewart

• Project: Stewart seniors centre
• Grant support: $15,000
• Details: The District of Stewart will renovate an existing facility for a seniors centre. This was identified as a need in the community to better the lives of residents, many of whom no longer have family near and rely on the community for support.

Wells

• Project: Increasing walking accessibility in wells
• Grant support: $14,900
• Details: The District of Wells will work to increase community accessibility through two pilot programs to improve residential snow removal for seniors and those with disabilities, and to increase outdoor seating to provide rest areas, with bench installations on routes designated by seniors and community members.

“I encourage our communities to keep up the great work they’re doing to develop sustainable projects that support seniors in being connected to the people and activities they love.” says Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors Anne Kang.

These are 8/34 communities in BC that will see funding impact their communities.