With Innisfail's seniors' population growing, the town is not only correctly planning for the future of the elderly but has done so with a comprehensive and exceptionally executed Seniors' Needs Assessment report.
The 30-page document from a project that took three months to complete late last year was presented to town council on Jan. 23. It provides current and future councils with a road map as to where to go to meet the most pressing needs for the town's aging population, which now makes up 29 per cent of the community's total population of 7,953.
Spearheaded expertly by Karen Bradbury, the town's community and social development coordinator, it outlines the many challenges facing seniors, including transportation, communications, housing and inclusion. But it's a document that also spells out the many advantages seniors see in this vibrant community, a town rich in outdoor spaces and buildings, and most importantly a commitment by everyone to press forward with determined advocacy for improved vital services to make living here easier for Innisfail's most cherished citizens.
However, the Seniors' Needs Assessment report is only a starting point. It will not solve all the challenges immediately, or even in the foreseeable future. The current depressed economy blunts any hope large sums of money will be poured in from any level of government to plug service gaps in any significant way. However, the report does suggest creative ways to keep the ball rolling.
The report noted a trio of volunteers will be brought in through the Canadian Mental Health Association to facilitate a mental health support group, an interesting initiative as mental health service delivery has become an increasingly serious community-wide issue in town. As well, Bradbury is rigorously shaking funding trees from all levels of government to get a total of $42,500 for a friendly visiting program, a arts/culture/recreation initiative, and another for improved transportation that is designed in part to encourage community inclusion.
As well, there will be ongoing research and meetings, including those for developing partnerships between local seniors' services providers to enhance the quality of existing programs, information and services for the town's seniors.
Ongoing is the key action word here. Considerable time and commitment has been invested with this project, as with countless others from all levels of government. As impressive as the report is, it should never be allowed to suffer the same fate as many others initiated and completed with the best of intentions, only to just slide onto a dusty shelf and be forgotten.
Seniors deserve the respect this one will continue to shine in the days ahead.
