Harrison Hot Springs is one of 26 communities to receive Age Friendly Grants from the province for 2014.
The $20,000 grant is meant to support projects that are designed to help older adults stay mobile, physically active and healthy.
The initiatives vary around the province, depending on each community’s need. In Harrison, Lisa Grant, manager of development and community services, said the money will spent building an age-friendly plan.
“The Village will be working to engage a consultant in early 2014 to lead this project,” Grant said. “The plan should address the aging population in the Village and provide a series of priorities and recommendations that are unique to Harrison Hot Springs and may include such topics as outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, communication and information, community support and health services.”
Health Minister Terry Lake said the communities that received grants are encouraged to consider projects that complemented the three provincial priorities for seniors. Those are elder abuse prevention, dementia care and non-medical home support.
The Age-friendly Community Planning and Project Grant program is a partnership between the Government of British Columbia and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. To date, age-friendly grants have funded over 200 projects in over 120 B.C. communities, including the District of Kent. The Fraser Valley Regional District was also given $20,000 for 2014.
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