National Seniors Day is this week and there are two initiatives to mark the occasion: an inaugural seniors fair tomorrow and the launch today of seniors service provider protocols — both the first of their kind in Nelson.
The initiative for the fair grew out of the community development project, under the age friendly initiative through Nelson CARES.
“Part of that work resulted in a service providers committee over the last year,” said Anna Maskerine, community development coordinator for Kootenay Seniors.
Their large collaborative effort has resulted in the fair. The group has partnered with the Nelson and District Community Complex, where the fair will be held, and has more than 35 vendors registered.
“Everything from information on pensions and fraud to blood pressure checks to transportation,” said Maskerine. “There will be engaging and interactive displays on various health-related matters, groups and activities that seniors can get involved in. We also have great door prizes and live music.”
Group members have gone from working in some isolation from each other to coming together for this inaugural event.
“The committee is very proud to offer this event to showcase the work it’s done in the project, and especially to do it on National Seniors Day,” said Maskerine.
They anticipate a large number of seniors from the region. Free transit is available and some local facilities are arranging group transportation.
The seniors service provider protocols will provide a collection of information about services available to senior in the Kootenay in one place.
The document contains individual service protocols as well as useful information like common health concerns, signs of abuse and neglect as well as referral forms, release of information forms, etc.
The protocols will be formally signed and launched and the documents will be distributed to service providers and others who would like it as resource. The documents will also be available on the Kootenay Seniors website.
This work was done in collaboration with the Nelson Seniors Outreach worker.
