December 19, 2013 - 3:51 PM
Older adults in Okanagan Falls will have a little more help staying active after the community received an Age Friendly grant from the provincial government.
Okanagan Falls was one of 26 communities to receive the $20,000 grant, which is intended to support projects that will help older adults in the community stay mobile, physically active and healthy.
This project will be managed by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen in collaboration with the South Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Communities Coalition.
“As with many areas in Canada, Okanagan Falls has an older demographic and finds itself wrestling with defining and prioritizing needs,” said Janet Black, Recreation Manager at Okanagan Falls Parks & Recreation.
“The money will be spent developing an age-friendly plan so that seniors can live healthier lives in Okanagan Falls.”
The plan will provide a series of priorities and recommendations that are unique to the community — Age Friendly initiatives vary around the province, depending on each community's needs — and may include a review of outdoor spaces, walk-ability, transportation, housing, social participation, community support and health services.
A consultant will be contracted in early 2014 to begin community dialogue and consultations.
The Age-friendly Community Planning and Project Grant program is a partnership involving the provincial government and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
For more information, contact Janet Black, Recreation Manager, Okanagan Falls Parks & Recreation at 250-497-8188 or jblack@rdos.bc.ca.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013