CHANGE A LIFE
Today is National Senior’s Day, a day to celebrate and honour the seniors in our lives – who are our teachers, mentors, neighbours, friends and family members. Healthy Aging by United Way supports regular programs across BC that help seniors with basic day-to-day tasks so that they can continue to live independently in their own
Making the lives of older British Columbians better strengthens the social fabric that creates healthy, caring, and inclusive communities for all ages. At no time has this been clearer than in the face of the devastating COVID-19 global pandemic. When the crisis hit, British Columbians readily stepped up to support seniors. From volunteers to community organizations
Every year, about 6,500 British Columbians have a stroke. Around 75% of them are over the age of 65. A stroke survivor may spend days or weeks in acute care, and then days, weeks or months in rehabilitation whether as an inpatient, an outpatient, in a community-based setting, or some combination of those. This is
Don’t let the distance fool you, Kelowna residents Mary-Ann and Glen are becoming fast friends. That’s one of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic – newfound connections and appreciation. “The first time I met Glen, he looked me straight in the eyes and there was a connection there,” says Mary-Ann. “It hit me really
COVID-19 has dramatically changed how seniors go about their daily lives. It’s also changing how United Way partner agencies and those delivering services to seniors work too. “As difficult as COVID-19 has been for all of us, we are witnessing the resilience of seniors and the creativity of the community-based seniors sector shine in so
A few months ago, 60-year-old Phillip was filling his days with work, visiting friends and family, and plenty of exercise – long walks and going to the gym several times weekly – in his West End Vancouver neighbourhood. Then he took a fall, which resulted in breaks and fractures to his left arm and pelvis.
Taking a break after chair yoga class, Don is relaxed with his sneakers kicked off, chatting about the physical impacts of aging. He quotes from a Leonard Cohen song. “You start to ache in the places you used to play,” he says with a smile. At 88, Don has led a rich life. He began
Feeling alone. It’s a hardship many seniors across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley experience daily. Perhaps you know someone—a parent, a grandparent or a friend, who is experiencing this. It becomes especially painful during the holidays for seniors like Sally who don’t have any family close by. That’s why United Way’s Active Aging* programs
On a crisp Winter evening recently in the Fraser Valley, the commercial kitchen at the Sardis Community Church was filled with a flurry of activity and a bouquet of aromas. Chef Rim, her 15-year-old daughter Jennifer and her good friend Sand spent an afternoon and early evening preparing a Syrian banquet for local residents and
Over 350 advocates are set to descend in at the Provincial Summit on Aging November 6 to 8, hosted by Healthy Aging by United Way and the Community-Based Seniors’ Service Leadership Council. The second biennial summit will bring together leaders from local organizations, older adults, family and friend caregivers, academia and government. The diverse group
Senior loneliness and isolation are important 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 is that loneliness and isolation are not synonymous. “You can be surrounded by lots of people and still be lonely or you can be
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
For many families, winter is a time of busy calendars, holiday celebrations and sunny getaways. For seniors, however, the exact opposite is often true. This, paired with cold temperatures, decreased mobility and limited incomes, can result in isolation that puts older adults at risk of physical, emotional and mental health challenges. The good news is that support
There is something important and impactful about looking back. It gives us time to pause and reflect on the year that was: we can celebrate the partnerships forged, relationships deepened and impact made. At United Way, it also helps reaffirm our commitment to tackling the unignorable issues we see in our communities – issues like
Too often the greatest problems in our community are the ones we sometimes don’t see. The senior trapped in their home due to mobility and access issues. The young child who sits too quietly at the edge of the playground instead of playing. The kids who don’t know where to go when the school bell
The old adage remains true as ever: sharing is caring. There is no greater example of this than at the Sharing Farm Society, a local non-profit that grows food to feed families in need. Run by community members, for community members, the Sharing Farm provides fresh, healthy, local produce for the Richmond Food Bank and
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
98% of seniors living in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley say their quality of life is “good” or “very good” – if they attend community-based programs. Seniors participating in these activities show a higher level of satisfaction with their quality of life and social interactions than those who do not, a new poll by
Gloria loves helping her neighbours in Burnaby – so much so, that in 2010, she was the recipient of the City of Burnaby’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ award. While she has spent a lifetime giving back to her community, she now finds herself on the receiving end. “I do have mobility problems now,” says
Seven unions and 11 maritime organizations from the regions’ working waterfront have united together to raise funds for United Way. Over the past four years, Waterfront United has raised $2.28 million to provide a safe harbour to children, families and seniors in need across the Lower Mainland. Walter Gerlach, IAMAW – Northwest District 250, Bob