What better way to celebrate International Seniors Day than helping local seniors?
The Seniors Services Society’s annual fundraiser takes place on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. An Evening in Tuscany includes food-tasting stations, Italian-themed entertainment and live and silent auctions. It will raise money for programs like Meals on Wheels, cleaning, socializing, help with government forms and more.
“They are absolutely critical,” Kara-Leigh Bloch, the society’s executive director, said of the programs. “These are the programs that allow seniors to remain in their own home independently and avoid going into care homes.”
With 90 per cent of seniors living in their own homes, Bloch said it’s clear that’s where they want to live. She said the society relies on the fundraiser to offset the operating costs and direct program costs.
“It’s really critical,” Bloch said. “This is the big one. We get program dollars from various funders, but we are expected on our own behalf to raise annually.”
Along with raising funds, the fundraiser provides an opportunity for the society to make the community aware of the work it does with seniors. In recent years, the society has opted to hold a major fundraiser to promote its programs and raise funds.
“What we say is we have gone beyond bake sales,” Bloch said. “We have made it a high-class event, bringing in entertainment and going out to various venues. We have taken it to the next level. That helps attract donors.”
An Evening in Tuscany promises to be an enjoyable event at La Perla Ballroom, Bloch said, noting an accordion player and a magician will be part of the night’s fun. Tickets are $100 (partial tax receipts available) and are available at 604-520-6621.
Help make the city dementia-friendly
Community members are invited to join in on the conversations about ways to make New Westminster a dementia-friendly community.
The City of New Westminster is hosting a community conversation to raise awareness about dementia, share the results of a recent survey and gain public input into the development of a dementia-friendly community action plan. It’s all happening on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m at Century House; doors open at 10 a.m. and light refreshments will be served.
The City of New Westminster, in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and Fraser Health, is one of the first municipalities in B.C. to develop a dementia-friendly community action plan.
The province has provided some funding support for the initiative.
“The interest in this plan, not only locally but from across British Columbia, and the response to the survey, demonstrate the significance of this issue,” Mayor Jonathan Cote said in a press release.
To date, the city has done extensive review of literature related to dementia and has done a survey of more than 50 residents living with dementia.
Based on the survey result, 81 per cent of respondents felt somewhat or not involved in their community and 75 per cent felt somewhat or not connected to their neighbours, with 91 per cent feeling people were somewhat or not knowledgeable about dementia and 91 per cent believing people with dementia were viewed somewhat or not positively.
“The survey results strongly suggest that social isolation is a real issue for people living with dementia,” said John Stark, the city’s senior social planner. “The lack of public awareness about dementia and the stigma associated with it, as well as barriers in the built environment and limited programming options, are all significant contributing factors.”
Gwilym Davies, who is living with dementia, is considered an important part of the working group that’s developing the plan. Davies is one of the panelists at the event.
“We need to create opportunities to involve and connect people with dementia,” Davies said. “We have lots to contribute and want to be accepted and make a difference.”
The October event will include presentations, a panel discussion, resource tables, and interactive activities to engage residents in sharing their ideas.
Do you have an item for Around Town? Send suggestions to Theresa McManus, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @TheresaMcManus.
