The salmon are running and the trees are showing off in crimson and gold. Our CRNs kicked off October with National Seniors Day celebrations on the streets, health fairs and seniors’ expos. Other events throughout the month included safety presentations, advanced care planning and coordinated services showcases. Here are a few highlights from around the province.
Fairs & Expos
Sally Watson, Coordinator for the South Cariboo CRN, set up an information and referral resource table at the 100 Mile House Farmers Market with Regional Mentor, Eva Navrot. We couldn’t help but appreciate Sally’s great sense of her role and nod to another famous advisor as illustrated by her added home-made sign.
Saanich Peninsula CRN (SPCRN) hosted a festive pancake breakfast on National Seniors Day at the SHOAL Community Centre for 50 Sidney-based seniors. Coordinator Anna Hudson did a short presentation and led discussion about International Day of Older Persons (IDOP – the global version of National Seniors Day) and how the work that the BC CRN does is pivotal to educating and providing resource referral information for the prevention of ageism, abuse, neglect and self-neglect of seniors. Each attendee was given an SPCRN rack card and fridge magnet printed with local referral information, as well as information on upcoming events at the Centre. Thanks to community partners: SHOAL Community Centre.
National Seniors Day was a lot of fun for quite a few folks in Williams Lake thanks to Regional Mentor Eva Navrot, and CRN Coordinator Peggy Christianson, who went around the community handing out referral resource materials and snapping pics of willing participants with age-positive signs!
The Chilliwack CRN, together with the Chilliwack Healthy Aging Task Committee, coordinated and hosted a Seniors Expo to showcase local societies and businesses related to seniors issues. The event saw about 300 people in attendance from the surrounding community. Thanks to community partners for a successful day of providing information and resources: Evergreen Hall for the venue; Chilliwack and District Seniors Resources Society; Chilliwack Seniors Peer Counsellors; Compassionate Neighbourhood Health Partners; Chilliwack Seniors Community Connector.
The Smithers Health Fair made a comeback after being shelved for 15 years. Smithers CRN Coordinator, Clara Donnelly, worked hard to bring the fair back to the community. The event was timed to coincide with an interagency event, which was to be held in the same building, with the hopes of introducing and creating awareness of the BC CRN to the general public and collaboration between local agency representatives and the CRN. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped make this happen.
Westshore CRN hosted an information and referral resources table at the Westshore Town Centre’s National Seniors Day event. Coordinator Zoey Wells created a prize wheel to encourage engagement and handed out cookies and granola bars with referral materials. Although the event did not see as many attendees as hoped, good conversations and connections were made with those who stopped by the CRN location.
Safety & Services
Salt Spring Island CRN hosted a very successful seniors’ safety presentation with the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers. Attendees included people in positions of influence within their organizations and community and several people responded with commitments to help spread awareness and information for the prevention of abuse, neglect and self-neglect of seniors and vulnerable adults. Representatives for the library’s adult programming division requested information about future presentations about seniors safety and countering ageism. Other responders included an Island Community Service worker who expressed interest to host events to raise awareness about the risks of abuse to older adults with developmental challenges when their family advocates are no longer alive.
Thanks to community partners: Salt Spring Library for the venue and advertising; Crime Stoppers for gifting their presentation; Island Community Services and staff for helping with advertising and spreading the word.
Ashcroft-Cache Creek CRN hosted an event to bring local agencies and service providers together to share important health and financial information to local community attendees. This was their second annual event of this kind, humorously dubbed “Ducks in a Row”. In total, 37 agencies, organizations and businesses participated, sharing information about wills, estate planning, home health nurses, long-term care, hospice and more. Over 100 people from the surrounding area had the opportunity to collect relevant information and ask questions from expert representatives. Transportation from the communities of Clinton and Cache Creek was provided free of charge to anyone in need. Thanks to community partners: Ashcroft HUB (CRN host agency); Community Resources Society; Ashcroft Hospice and the Elizabeth Fry Society.
In Case You Missed It
On the first Tuesday of each month, BC CRN hosts an online workshop featuring one of our three main programs. This month we launched a fourth program: Introduction to Extreme Clutter. Visit the events page to learn more and register for upcoming presentations. To request a presentation, see the Programs page or email programs@bccrns.ca.
From September through June, we also feature a monthly Provincial Learning Event. We are always on the lookout to bring you relevant topics and resources to help navigate current issues facing older and vulnerable adults.
- October’s PLE topic was Navigating Home Care & Senior Housing. Guest speaker Sara Pon, Lawyer and Legal Researcher from Seniors First BC, spoke on the types of personal care and health care that are available to older adults in British Columbia, as well as some key laws that govern home and residential care services. Watch all our past webinars on-demand.
- Coming November 19th: Older Adults Staying Safe Online. Guest speakers from Connected Canadians (Canadiens Branches) will talk about learning how to stay safe from email scams and other online fraud. To learn more or register, visit the event information page.
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Explore our website to learn more about BC CRN or connect with your local CRN for more information or resources.
