Seniors Week,

 This is part of what  I wrote when I responded to the Proclamation of Seniors Week in my city at the beginning of June. I was limited in time for my response so, I am putting my full remarks here.

Senior Week is a time to celebrate our older adults’ contributions, wisdom, and vitality. Throughout this week, we have an exciting lineup of events that showcase the talents and interests of our senior community. As the President of the Wilson Centre Seniors’ Advisory Association; I am proud to highlight some events and activities that will take place this week. Some highlights include a:

•         Free Homeowners Grant Workshop on June 3 followed by a Pancake Breakfast and Silver Chord Choir Performance on June 3

•         Guided Painting Class on June 4

•         New Members Info Session on June 5

•         Senior Week Luncheon on June 6

•         Container Gardening Workshop on June 7

•         Health and Wellness Fair: on June 8th

I want to acknowledge the significant contributions that seniors have made to our community. From volunteering at local charities to mentoring young people, seniors have given so much to our city. Older adults are more productive than ever. Those seniors and near seniors who volunteer are putting in more hours than in the past and more hours than volunteers in any other age group. Many retirees (16.1% of men and 14.7% of women) also regularly engage in caring for friends, relatives and neighbours, while the overwhelming majority (97% of women and 91.9% of men) participate in daily domestic work. Overall, three million retirees spend five billion hours of their time each year on productive activities – a contribution of about $60 billion to Canada’s economy, which is by no means a drop in the bucket. 

We are thrilled and honoured to accept this proclamation of Senior Week on behalf of all the seniors in our city. Thank you to the City of Port Coquitlam for this recognition and continued support of our senior community. This week-long celebration is a testament to your recognition of seniors, who have contributed so much to our community. While it’s true that less than a quarter of all people aged 55 and older volunteer officially (for example, through recognized volunteer networks, government programs or non-governmental organizations), a large number are active in informal volunteer settings, spending a lot of time providing support to each other, to their extended families and to their communities. According to Statistics Canada, almost two-thirds of seniors and seniors volunteered informally in 2003, and that number will likely rise in the future. A recent Harvard study has shown that social and productive activity (for example, volunteering, helping a friend or taking care of a grandchild) lowers the risk of all causes of death as much as exercise does. We have to work hard to get seniors to volunteer and our organization, along with the City does this quite well.

The history of cooperation between the city and our Association is rich and impactful. Our shared goal is to create a supportive environment where seniors can thrive. We are proud to be a part of this community and look forward to continuing our partnership with the city.

Over the years, we have worked with the city to support many activities, including the annual May Day Festival, stroke recovery programs, bus trips, social events, and bi-weekly discussions on topics of interest to seniors. Our partnerships have extended to providing funding for diversity and inter-generational programs, supporting food security initiatives, and offering social opportunities for our seniors. We continue to support those services that ensure our seniors lead active, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

Our recent collaboration with the BC Community Response Network (BC CRN) is a testament to our commitment to fostering safe and inclusive communities. With this initiative, we're working to raise awareness and prevent abuse, neglect, and self-neglect among vulnerable adults. Our partnership enhances our ability to support seniors and to ensure they are appreciated, and free from harm.

Additionally, we are proud to partner with the Tri-Cities Seniors Action Society, as we promote World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, on June 15th. We have several activities planned and we asked the city to light up City Hall in purple to signify our collective stand against elder abuse. This day highlights the global issue of elder abuse and reminds us of the important role older adults play in our communities.

Our City has the designation of being an Age-Friendly Community, the only one in the area. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of age-friendly designations in our city. As the statistics show, seniors make up a significant proportion of our population, and we must continue to not forget their needs and concerns. The celebration of Senior Week is a reaffirmation of the City’s commitment to creating a supportive environment where seniors can thrive.

So, from a Pancake Breakfast to the 2nd annual Health Fair, to the recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we come together to celebrate the resilience and wisdom of our seniors. I look forward to a week filled with fun, learning, and community spirit. Thank you to the City of Port Coquitlam for this proclamation of Senior Week. We encourage everyone to join us in all the activities including the 2nd annual Health Fair, which will take place on June 8th.