WHEREAS a significant capacity for maintaining the health and well-being of seniors exists at the municipal level through neighbourhood houses, seniors centres and community centres; AND WHEREAS limited funding for these services means they cannot meet the need for outreach programming to isolated seniors, information services on locally available social and health programs for seniors, social programming to keep seniors active and connected: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government provide funding for enhanced seniors outreach and preventative health programs including information services, social networking, and age-appropriate exercise programs and to support better coordination among existing services.
Ministry of Health The Province is supporting a variety of programs and initiatives in communities across the province aimed at enhancing outreach to seniors and strengthening the ability of older British Columbians to remain healthy, active and connected in their communities. For example, Healthy Families BC, the new comprehensive health promotion program announced by Premier Christy Clark, will help families, including seniors, make healthy choices and lead healthier lives. The Ministry of Health MoH continues to collaborate with UBCM and other partners to encourage and support local governments to take action to make their communities more welcoming and accessible to people of all ages through its Age-friendly BC Initiative. As part of this initiative, MoH is developing new age-friendly tools and resources. For example, MoH released a new guide to help businesses attract and keep older customers and employees called Creating an Age-friendly Business in B.C. This and other resources are available both in print and on the Provinces information website SeniorsBC.ca. The SeniorsBC.ca website and e-newsletter were launched by the Province in March 2010 to provide seniors and their families with a one-stop, user-friendly information source on services and supports for seniors and other topics of interest to older British Columbians. The website includes tips and information on how to keep healthy and active, and links to a range of resources such as the Healthy Eating for Seniors handbook, and the Move for Life DVD. Seniors can also access information over the phone through the toll-free Health and Seniors Information Line, with translation services available in 130 languages. To improve the way the Province communicates with seniors, MoH held a series of focus groups with seniors in several communities around the province to get feedback on the best ways to support older British Columbians with information and resources. Findings from these focus groups will be incorporated into new and existing communications initiatives. At the same time, the Province is working with communities to explore new and innovative ways of reaching out to seniors and supporting seniors independence and community participation. For example, MoH has partnered with the United Way of the Lower Mainland on a community-based pilot initiative called Community Action for Seniors Independence CASI. Through CASI, local agencies in five pilot communities have received funding to provide a range of non-medical home support services such as housekeeping, transportation and yard work to help seniors remain living in their own homes. As well, the Province is continuing to support seniors independence by investing in affordable seniors housing through BC Housing. Finally, construction has commenced on 18 Seniors Community Parks, which provide outdoor recreation equipment to improve mobility, coordination and balance for older adults and also provide a place for seniors to socialize.