Today, Parliamentary Secretary for Healthy Living and Seniors Michelle Stilwell announced that eight B.C. communities will receive Age-friendly BC Recognition awards for 2014.

Local governments in Anmore, Cobble Hill (Cowichan Valley Regional District), Granisle, Kent, Kitimat, Telkwa, Vancouver and Vanderhoof will each receive a $1,000 award to create a legacy project or celebration, as well as an Age-friendly BC Recognition award poster.

“These communities recognize the importance of helping seniors remain independent and active,” said Stilwell, who made the announcement at a seniors’ luncheon hosted by South Cowichan Seniors. “Whether it is something as simple as installing benches or making local services more accessible, participating in the Age-friendly program is an investment in the well-being of seniors. I’m confident that other communities in British Columbia will recognize the value of this program and join the age-friendly movement.”

To achieve Age-friendly BC Recognition, communities must complete four steps. These include establishing an advisory committee, passing a local government resolution,  conducting an age-friendly assessment and developing and publishing an action plan. The participation of local seniors also is required and is an integral part of this process.

In Cobble Hill, for example, a project report was developed that included an age-friendly assessment and recommended actions, particularly related to safety, transportation and housing. Implementation has begun with the creation of a seniors’ lunch program, work on a potential seniors’ housing development and accessibility improvements for local parks and trails.

"BC Healthy Communities is proud to work in partnership with the Ministry of Health and local governments around the province to support age friendly activities. The work in Cobble Hill demonstrates a wide range of actions local governments can take to ensure that seniors have safe and accessible services within their community. Through the Age-Friendly Recognition Award, we are delighted to recognize and celebrate the commitment of local governments to healthy communities for all,” said Jodi Mucha, executive director for BC Healthy Communities Society.

The Age-friendly BC Recognition program is a partnership between the BC Healthy Communities Society and the Ministry of Health and is part of the provincial Age-friendly BC strategy.

A total of 25 communities now have received Age-friendly BC Recognition. For a complete list of age-friendly recognized communities and to learn more about how your community can receive age-friendly recognition, please visit: www.gov.bc.ca/agefriendly

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)