Four local communities are in line for age-friendly community planning project grants from the provincial government.
Kaslo will receive $20,000 for a seniors outreach and support project and caregiver support program.
The two-part project includes training and co-ordinating volunteers to provide one-on-one outreach and support to isolated seniors, as well as planning, organizing and facilitating a caregiver-support program.
Nelson will also receive $20,000 for an age-friendly community plan.
The city will create a working group with seniors to conduct an age-friendly assessment of their community and develop an action plan. This will build on previous work, such as the city’s active transportation plan and Path to 2040 Sustainability Strategy.
Partners include the Nelson CARES Society, the Nelson and District Seniors Coordinating Society, and the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute at Selkirk College.
Salmo will get $20,000 for an age-friendly survey and roundtable.
The village will develop information brochures and health and wellness programs, as well as improving sidewalk safety based on feedback from a survey and public roundtable forum.
Finally, Silverton will receive $12,000 to develop a variety of age-friendly fall and winter educational and recreational activities for seniors. Topics will include end-of-life issues, accessing community resources, advance care planning, making healthy choices and staying at home versus assisted living.