INNISFAIL – Seniors are receiving new elder abuse awareness programming thanks to the recent approval of the town’s application for funding under the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors Grant Program.
While the Innisfail Seniors Drop-in Centre has previously been approved funding under the same program for necessary washroom renovations at its facility, it’s believed this is the first time the town has been successful with an application, said Karen Bradbury, the town’s community and social development coordinator.
She told council at its Jan. 22 regular meeting the town received notice on Dec. 28 the application was approved and that it would receive $24,110, funds that can be used for senior-specific program activities from Feb. 15 of this year to Feb. 14 of 2019.
Council was told the key priorities for the new program are recruiting seniors’ volunteers, matching volunteers with identified vulnerable older adults/seniors, and hosting a seniors’ symposium, which will include guest speakers and an elder abuse video. As well, the program funds will also go towards training seniors and members of the business community on elder abuse recognition and awareness, and evaluating program results and preparing a final report.
Bradbury’s report to council said seniors would be involved in all areas of planning and facilitation of a program event, with older volunteers connecting with isolated seniors. The volunteers will be trained as mentors on elder abuse awareness and recognition.
Council was told the $24,110 grant money will pay for a new laptop computer ($750), salary and wages ($6,028), and $17,332 for general project costs, including office supplies, transportation, speakers, the seniors’ symposium, advertising and media.
Bradbury noted in her report that with council’s recent approval to hire a second staff member for her department the new employee would assume the seniors’ coordinator role for the New Horizons program.
