Minister Tassi getting a demonstration of CORE, a virtual network for leaders in seniors’ services to access resources, training and tools to strengthen and sustain the vital programs they deliver every day. With Kahir Lalji, United Way Healthy Aging Director and staff member, Barbara McMillan.
Recognizing the importance of community-based supports for seniors – and United Way’s leadership in this area – we are pleased to share the Government of Canada has announced a $50,000 investment in the Healthy Aging Initiative at the United Way British Columbia.
The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister for Seniors, made the announcement February 13 at an event co-organized by United Way and the Community-Based Seniors Services Leadership Council, and hosted at Collingwood Neighbourhood House. The funding will support a pilot project to develop a provincially-coordinated, online learning network for organizations and individuals providing community-based services for seniors.
“The Government of Canada deeply values the contribution seniors make to our country. We know that when seniors can fully participate in society, everybody benefits. By supporting projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are taking action to ensure that seniors have a strong and active presence, are encouraged to remain involved in their communities and receive the recognition, respect and support that they deserve.,” says Minister of Seniors Filomena Tassi.
Minister Tassi visited Vancouver for the first time February 12-14 as part of a coast-to-coast tour. She is meeting with Canadian seniors to hear about their lives, challenges, successes and communities. From left Annwen Loverin, Community-Based Seniors’ Services Leadership Council, Kahir Lalji, United Way Healthy Aging Director, Healthy Aging, Marcy Cohen, Community-Based Seniors’ Services Leadership Council, Barbara McMillan, Healthy Aging staff and Minister of Seniors Filomena Tassi.
Supporting seniors is the CORE of Healthy Aging
The Government of Canada’s $50,000 investment will support the Collaborative Online Resources and Education platform, or CORE, a virtual network for leaders in seniors’ services to access resources, training and tools to strengthen and sustain the vital programs they deliver every day.
CORE will help seniors get the best community support possible to live well, at home, for as long as possible. It will also help match senior volunteers through programs like United Way-managed Better at Home with volunteer opportunities in their community.
During the event, Minister Tassi received a virtual tour of the CORE platform and had an opportunity to meet with a number of service providers and volunteers doing great work with seniors across the province. B.C. Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie also attended the event.
Community-wide solutions
For a community to be great, it has to be great for everyone. Healthy Aging by United Way is predicated on the belief that every older adult lives in a community – a community that can and should have a stake in that person’s well-being.
“Entire communities must be a part of supporting its residents to live well, at home, for as long as possible, regardless of their age,” says Kahir Lalji, Director of Healthy Aging, Provincial Initiatives and Government Relations at United Way British Columbia. “We’re honoured to host Minister Tassi and share how we’re developing innovative, community-wide supports for seniors across B.C.”
An opportunity
In Canada today there are more people over 65 than children under 14 – and that number will continue to grow. By 2031, almost one-in-four Canadians could be 65 or older.
At the same time, many seniors live in communities they themselves helped build. Older adults are some of the most active volunteers supporting their peers in community-based programs.
Seniors like Gloria. While she has spent a lifetime giving back to her community, Gloria now finds herself on the receiving end through United Way’s Better at Home program. Better at Home helps older adults get the support the need to live well at home, ensures our entire neighbourhoods, towns and cities are more vibrant and resilient.
It’s people like Gloria who inspire Healthy Aging by United Way, along with partners like the Government of Canada, to investing in innovative, community-based solutions to help keep seniors healthy and active in their communities.
The Healthy Aging initiative at United Way British Columbia helps seniors stay active and at home in their communities, for as long as possible. United Way works with community agencies; local, provincial and federal governments; diverse partnerships across the seniors’ sector; and diverse supporters and champions, including volunteers and donors, enhancing quality of life for older adults.
Looking for practical ways to support seniors in your life? Here are 5 ways to help senior friends and family this winter.
Topics : Better at Home, Healthy Aging
