First Nations communities are receiving age-friendly grants to support Elders and seniors so they can live active, socially engaged and independent lives.

“For the first time ever, age-friendly grants are being provided to First Nations communities to support their efforts in creating healthy, responsive communities for Elders,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “This is an excellent step toward building a culturally safe and appropriate plan to help Elders age well at home, and ensuring the health and wellness of seniors living in First Nations communities.”

A total of $729,500 in age-friendly grants are being provided to First Nations and B.C. communities in 2019. 

“Elders and seniors are at the heart of their communities, and it’s important that they are able to age well at home so they can continue to contribute positively to their neighbourhoods,” said Anne Kang, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors. “The impact of the age-friendly grants is great, and because of the success of the program, we have seen it grow year after year.”

Grants will be distributed to Douglas First Nation, Lytton First Nation, Yale First Nation, and Daylu Dena First Nation. The First Nations’ projects and plans include:

• bringing together Elders from remote communities for the Douglas First Nation Elders Gathering;
• creating an age-friendly committee of Elders from the Lytton First Nation;
• hearing from Elders in the Yale First Nation in a consultation process; and
• creating an Elders’ committee to benefit those in the Daylu Dena First Nation.

The 2019 age-friendly grants will be distributed to 37 communities throughout B.C., three more than the number that received grants in 2018 and more than double the number that received grants in 2017. This includes Douglas First Nation, Lytton First Nation, Yale First Nation and Daylu Dena First Nation, which will receive grants of up to $25,000 for age-friendly assessments and action plans.

The age-friendly communities grant program is a partnership between the Province and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. In September 2018, local governments and First Nations communities were invited to apply for grants and encouraged to consider projects that focused on accessibility, aging well, physical activity and non-medical home supports. Successful applicants are eligible to apply for a range of services from BC Healthy Communities Society to support their project.

Learn More:

More information about Age-friendly BC can be found online: http://www.gov.bc.ca/agefriendly

A backgrounder follows.