A recent meeting of supporters for the Age-Friendly movement in the South Cariboo determined the next immediate directions for Age-friendly activity include:
• Emphasis on building a strong, multi-faceted communication network
• The forming of an Age-Friendly steering committee
District of 100 Mile House Councillor Ralph Fossum explained ongoing communication with seniors in the area is best done by a combination of personal telephone calls, e-mails, flyers, and notices in the local media.
“For our future events, we have learned we need to combine those efforts in order to ensure the word is getting out and seniors are kept informed of activities in which they can actively participate.”
Lea Smirfitt, the local Age-Friendly co-ordinator, recognizes that participation, engagement, and commitment from seniors are key to the overall health of our community and all seniors.
Also important to the “steering” of this initiative is the committee include representation from more than one “pocket community” to reflect the diverse rural makeup of the South Cariboo, she adds.
The initiative would like to receive expressions of interest from any and all parties who might be willing to sit on an Age-Friendly steering committee, Smirfitt explains.
“Are you a person with an interest in working with a wide range of Age-Friendly topics, such as health and well being, food and nutrition, recreation, transportation, housing, active living, or any area that may be of interest to seniors?”
If you or someone you know might be interested in furthering the Age-Friendly movement in the South Cariboo or would like more information, please contact Smirfitt at 250-395-5642 or e-mail lea.smirfitt@gov.bc.ca.
It is anticipated that the steering committee would meet on a regular basis about once a month.