SUNDRE - Council passed two proclamations unopposed in recognition of Recreation and Parks Month, which takes place in June, as well as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which takes place June 15.
The former is about acknowledging the benefits of having and investing in recreational amenities and parks, which not only enhance a community’s quality of life by offering residents the ability to lead more active and healthy lifestyles, but also play an important role toward ensuring improved ecological sustainability.
The latter is an international effort to raise awareness about the many forms of elder abuse that might not always be obvious to members of the public. Although signs of physical abuse are typically harder to miss, indications of psychological and financial abuse, for example, are more subtle.
“Preventing and addressing elder abuse is a shared responsibility and requires engagement and action on the part of all sectors of society,” reads background information in council’s agenda package.
In recognition of Sundre’s higher-than-average population of seniors compared with other communities in the province, the Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society is a local community resource provider that has endeavoured to develop, among many other programs and services, a local response as the umbrella organization over an initiative called Seniors Protected and Respected Under Community Engagement.
Coun. Charlene Preston, who sits with that committee, informed her colleagues that a special flag was made for the occasion. The new banner is expected to be unfurled and flown on June 15 during a ceremony observing public health protocols.
