Spring is in the air as warmer weather intermittently interrupts the earth’s winter slumber. March was a packed month with fraud awareness, springtime new year celebrations, International Women’s Day, International Day for the Elimination for Racial Discrimination and Pie Day. Our CRNs have continued to stay active through the colder months and are rolling out their reports on events and activities. Here are a few highlights from around the province this last month.
In Case You Missed It
Each month, BC CRN hosts online presentations of our three main programs on the first Tuesday of each month, on a rotating basis. Visit the Events page for upcoming online presentation schedules. To learn more about the programs or to request a presentation, see the Programs page or email programs@bccrns.ca.
We are always looking for new speakers to bring you relevant topics to help navigate current issues facing older adults. March’s Provincial Learning Event topic was Behind the Wheel – Navigating Road Safety as We Age, presented by ICBC Road Safety Coordinator Kathleen Nadalin.
To learn more about upcoming Provincial Learning Events check out the calendar on the Events page, or watch past workshops on-demand on our website here.
Fraud Awareness Month
Kelowna CRN launched a public awareness campaign to help older adults learn to recognize, reject, and respond to various forms of fraud that target seniors. In the last year the Kelowna CRN has needed to support seniors who were victimized, causing their housing stability and household incomes to be greatly affected by the fraud perpetrated by strangers and people in their social circle of family/friends. The project aimed to empower older adults with knowledge and tools to recognize scams that result in identity theft, phishing, AI-driven fraud, or financial abuse. The primary target audience was older community members, but they also provided communication materials for family members and front-line professionals.
West Shore CRN hosted the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers for a presentation to support fraud and scam awareness with co-sponsor Juan de Fuca 55+ Centre in Colwood. A short BC CRN presentation was delivered and information and resource materials were provided to each attendee as well as being on display for the event.
Coffee and Connection
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Katzie CRN hosts two monthly social clubs: Coffee and Connect and the Brunch Bunch. Both programs are designed to address social isolation and create a welcoming opportunity for local seniors to meet up and connect while Coordinator, Judith Macrae, facilitates speakers and discussions on various relevant topics and provides BC CRN resource information.
The Coffee and Connect monthly event meets in Maple Ridge at the Home Restaurant where attendees order menu items and listen to a monthly speaker on a variety of topics. This program has been so successful, the CRN expanded the idea into Pitt Meadows where the Brunch Bunch meets at Ricky’s Restaurant. Some first-time attendees identify as socially isolated and express gratitude for the invitation to meet in a safe space. New residents to the area also voice appreciation for the opportunity to meet other local seniors. Many attendees have also continued to share their new knowledge with neighbours and friends after these events.
Sea to Sky CRN and community partners Squamish Seniors Living Society and Westwinds Seniors Living, just wrapped up a series of three monthly Diners Club gatherings. The healthy, affordable dinners were offered to otherwise isolated tenants of the seniors housing and provided a space to socialize with peers, ask questions about the BC CRN and any tenant issues. Each month a few new residents venture out and find a fun, safe and comfortable space to connect with the community. Each attendee receives a small package of resources and a portion of any leftovers to take home.
Castlegar CRN in partnership with Kootenay IRIS hosts regular events at the Centre. Activities and events span the range from Bingo, coffee, lunch and learns, to chair yoga and intergenerational activities with local elementary, high school and college students. They regularly attend seniors’ expo’s across the region and deliver on-going presentations on elder abuse and ageism at most events. The IRIS Crew has donated over 1,500 volunteer hours in the last year and continues to serve the Castlegar seniors and vulnerable adults with events that promote healthy living and prevent social isolation, abuse and neglect. Check out the Kootenay IRIS Facebook page for more information on the events coming up.
Aging in Place
Barriere and Area CRN invited community seniors to attend a luncheon at the Barriere Seniors’ Centre for an information session with all the existing program and service providers in the area that focus on allowing seniors to live safely in their homes longer. After the presentations, there was also a time of discussion to identify programs or services lacking in the region.
Efforts are also underway to create a seniors advisory committee with the goal of helping seniors find resources, referrals and advocacy for services.
Wrapping Up Winter Activities and Assistance
Due to popular demand, Salmo CRN extended their monthly winter craft activity kits and events into March. To prevent social isolation during the cold months, CRN reps made kits containing food, a drink, craft materials to make a specific project and a monthly newsletter that includes information about adult abuse and neglect, puzzles, and local events for seniors. Situated in a rural area that is a snow belt, the craft bags helped fill the long winter with purposeful activities and also encouraged the seniors to gather at the library. Some of the seniors helped each other by picking up and delivering craft bags for others. The last two kits contained a feedback form which were returned with 100% of the seniors reporting appreciation for the craft kits over the winter months.
Vancouver West End/Coal Harbour/Yaletown CRN has been reducing the danger of elder abuse and fostering a sense of community by eliminating loneliness and isolation through the Stronger Together program which is divided into three plans: discussion, movement activities and creative expression.
The Be Well Together program hosts speakers to facilitate discussion on healthy aging, current affairs, environmental issues and topics around daily life. It also provides opportunities for physical activities like yoga, dance and group walking.
The Creating Together plan connects older adults through art. New immigrants and people with limited English are also encouraged to participate in a variety of arts such as music, painting and crafting.
The Learn Together program offers workshops and conversation groups in several languages, and includes people from diverse backgrounds to gather and share cultural differences with each other.
Lillooet CRN continues to run their on-going Shop/Deliver program with five current volunteers who assist senior clients in need of help with a ride or delivery of personal shopping due to isolation or temporary injury. Volunteers and seniors in need are connected through CRN partners that form the Elder Connect: Better at Home, the Community Connect HUB, the Lillooet Friendship Centre Society, and the Lillooet Seniors Drop-In Centre Society.
The Lillooet Secondary School Green Club helped the Shop/Deliver team tackle the problem with single-use plastic shopping bags. Students created two sets of bags from recycled materials for each client, while the Shop/Deliver volunteers created a brochure to instruct clients on how to reduce plastic waste. Volunteers delivered groceries to clients in the first set and a pick up system on delivery of the second set of groceries the following week. The program recipients were happy with the new implementation and expressed appreciation.
Explore our website to learn more about BC CRN or connect with your local CRN for more information or resources.
