BC Gov News

Fort St. John

Project: Age-friendly assessment and action plan

Amount: $25,000

Details: A multi-phase approach will move Fort St. John forward as an age-friendly community, with city staff working with stakeholders, organizations and individuals in the 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

Amount: $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, or to attend a cultural event, such as live theatre, or a speakers’ series in neighbouring communities.

Kitimat

Project: Age-friendly action plan

Amount: $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. The plan builds on Kitimat’s 2014 recognition as an age-friendly community.

Prince George

Project: Active Seniors! Active Communities!

Amount: $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 intergenerational programs that will foster respect and learning between seniors and youth. The Prince George Council of Seniors will play a key role in the development phase, program promotion and recruitment for seniors’ participation.

Quesnel

Project: Age-friendly assessment and strategic plan

Amount: $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. The assessment will include consultation in a world café setting, meetings with relevant groups and organizations, and outreach to isolated seniors.

Smithers

Project: Accessible books for seniors with vision disabilities

Amount: $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 co-ordinators hope to help combat isolation of its seniors. The project builds on Smithers’ 2017 recognition as an age-friendly community.

Stewart

Project: Stewart seniors centre

Amount: $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. It will serve as a gathering place to hold meetings of the seniors’ steering committee, social and recreational activities, information and communications, and health care and other services.

Wells

Project: Increasing walking accessibility in wells

Amount: $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. Both these programs will reduce isolation and improve overall accessibility for older adults.