BC Government: Better supports for First Nations Elders and seniors with age-friendly grants
Feb 1, 2019
VICTORIA – First Nations communities are receiving age-friendly grants to support Elders and seniors so they can live active, socially engaged and independent lives.
“For the first time ever, age-friendly grants are being provided to First Nations communities to support their efforts in creating healthy, responsive communities for Elders,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “This is an excellent step toward building a culturally safe and appropriate plan to help Elders age well at home, and ensuring the health and wellness of seniors living in First Nations communities.”
A total of $729,500 in age-friendly grants are being provided to First Nations and B.C. communities in 2019.
“Elders and seniors are at the heart of their communities, and it’s important that they are able to age well at home so they can continue to contribute positively to their neighbourhoods,” said Anne Kang, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors. “The impact of the age-friendly grants is great, and because of the success of the program, we have seen it grow year after year.”
Grants will be distributed to Douglas First Nation, Lytton First Nation, Yale First Nation, and Daylu Dena First Nation. The First Nations’ projects and plans include:
- bringing together Elders from remote communities for the Douglas First Nation Elders Gathering;
- creating an age-friendly committee of Elders from the Lytton First Nation;
- hearing from Elders in the Yale First Nation in a consultation process; and
- creating an Elders’ committee to benefit those in the Daylu Dena First Nation.
The 2019 age-friendly grants will be distributed to 37 communities throughout B.C., three more than the number that received grants in 2018 and more than double the number that received grants in 2017. This includes Douglas First Nation, Lytton First Nation, Yale First Nation and Daylu Dena First Nation, which will receive grants of up to $25,000 for age-friendly assessments and action plans.
The age-friendly communities grant program is a partnership between the Province and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. In September 2018, local governments and First Nations communities were invited to apply for grants and encouraged to consider projects that focused on accessibility, aging well, physical activity and non-medical home supports. Successful applicants are eligible to apply for a range of services from BC Healthy Communities Society to support their project.
Learn More:
More information about Age-friendly BC can be found online: http://www.gov.bc.ca/agefriendly
A backgrounder follows.
Contact:Ministry of Health
Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)BACKGROUNDER
Douglas First Nation
Project: The Douglas First Nation will engage with all Elders from the remote Southern Stl’atl’imx communities of N’Quatqua, Skatin, Samahquam and Xa’xsta and those Elders living off reserve to come together for an Elders Gathering on the traditional territory of the Stl’atl’imc. The gathering will encourage conversation, storytelling, sharing of food and activities, age-friendly planning and will build upon the work undertaken in the Southern Stl’atl’imx Health Society’s Health and Wellness Plan and the individual nations’ community health plans.
Amount: $25,000
Lytton First Nation
Project: The Lytton First Nation will create an age-friendly committee of Elders and program managers to collaboratively develop an age-friendly plan that will enable Elders to age in their community with dignity and respect. The committee will complete an assessment that includes a survey highlighting age-friendly issues and gaps in service for Elders.
Amount: $25,000
Yale First Nation
Project: Yale First Nation plans to engage its Elders in cultural rebuilding and revitalization, through inclusion and consultation relating to community planning and policy-making. The development of a universal strategy for developing age-friendly policies and community planning will highlight the importance of caring for the Elder population. It will provide practical considerations to create an age-friendly community by listening to the Elders and planning for their needs at home and in their community.
Amount: $25,000
Daylu Dena First Nation
Project: The Daylu Dena Council plans to create an Elders’ committee to help determine what is needed for the community to become age friendly. Plans are to address concerns regarding housing, transportation and the walkability of the community.
Amount: $25,000
Contact:Ministry of Health
Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)ILR5
NT4
