CHANGE A LIFE
For over 20 years, Linda Pringle has called a cozy Coquitlam neighbourhood, her home. “I love living here,” she says of Westwood Plateau, on the border of Burke Mountain. “You feel like you can get away from the city, even though you’re just five minutes up the street. We’re a friendly, multicultural community. Every day
Senior loneliness and isolation are import issues affecting our community. Both threaten older adults’ independence, and can create health risks as significant as obesity, smoking or alcoholism. What may be surprising however, is that loneliness and isolation are not synonymous. A McMaster University study defines isolation as a state that arises from having too few
Today is National Carers Day across Canada, a day to celebrate and thank caregivers and recognize the essential role they play in the success of our community. Caregiving is an incredibly difficult job and the related statistics are staggering. Every year, caregivers contribute roughly $25 billion in unpaid labour to the Canadian health system, while
Leifang faced a number of challenges when she arrived in Richmond as a new immigrant. She didn’t speak any English and had difficulty navigating the different technology she needed to keep in touch with her family back home in China. As an older adult in a rapidly aging society, she was not alone. In an
The holidays are a special time for family and friends to come together and enjoy each other’s love and company. However, this time of year can be lonely and hard, especially for isolated seniors. Here in the Lower Mainland 1 in 5 seniors reports feeling alone and over 25,000 say they have no one to talk
It’s a fact: across Canada, individuals over the age of 85 now outnumber those under 15. And we’re living longer: there are now more than 8,000 centenarians in Canada. For British Columbians of all ages, these statistics serve as an important reminder that the overall wellness of our seniors must remain a top priority, especially
Active Aging BC and United Way British Columbia have partnered to keep older adults active as they age. Thirty “Seniors Active Aging” grants were distributed across BC in 27 communities. Programs range from connecting First Nations elders to community recreation in Prince George, to intercultural Tai Chi in Surrey, to chair yoga in Mission and