Government moves to improve quality of life for seniors

May 3, 2010
INITIATIVES ANNOUNCED TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OLDER MANITOBANS
Government Supports Programs to Help Make Manitoba Most Age-friendly Province: Rondeau

Five programs have received $170,000 to support work with Manitoba seniors, Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau announced today at the Centre on Aging’s annual Spring Research Symposium.

“These initiatives are all collaborations with other organizations intended to improve seniors’ quality of life throughout Manitoba,” said Rondeau. “By working together and building on existing resources, we are speeding up our progress in becoming the most age-friendly province in Canada.”

Three Age-Friendly Manitoba projects are aimed at strengthening connections between seniors and their communities, said the minister. Organizations that are already active in communities have received funding to develop tools, strengthen connections and expand programs that will make many Manitoba communities more age-friendly. The funding includes:

· $40,000 received by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce to reach out to the rural Manitoba business community to pilot and test innovative opportunities for older workers;

· $25,000 to help Creative Retirement further develop an intergenerational program called Seniors and Students Learning Together;

· $40,000 being utilized by the Manitoba Association of Multipurpose Seniors Centres to work with seniors centres to engage them in age-friendly initiatives and foster links between them and the age‑friendly committees in their communities.
Rondeau also announced that funding has been provided to Age and Opportunity to secure an additional suite in the Safe Suite Program, part of the Provincial Elder Abuse Strategy. This program provides temporary housing for older adults who are experiencing abuse. They receive counselling services, furnished accommodations for up to 60 days, Victoria Lifeline service and practical assistance with arranging financial, legal, housing and support services. Manitoba provides $25,000 in annual support for this program, which now includes three full-time suites and one part-time suite in Winnipeg. The need for the program outside of Winnipeg is currently being assessed.

Rondeau also received the Profile of Manitoba Seniors 2010 from Dr. Janice Ristock, associate vice‑president (research) at the University of Manitoba. Funded at a cost of $40,000 by Manitoba Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors, the University of Manitoba compiled extensive data regarding the lives of Manitoba seniors into one comprehensive document. The result of this collaboration is a profile that includes a wide variety of statistical information for use by those working with older Manitobans.

The latest edition of The Manitoba Seniors Guide was also released at the symposium. The guide is a resource for older Manitobans to learn what services are available and how to access them.
“These five projects will help enable Manitoba’s seniors to lead more active, socially engaging and independent lives which reduces the risk of loneliness and depression and creates a better quality of life,” said Rondeau. “Manitoba is proud to be a leader in programs and supports for older Manitobans. This is the best way that we can thank them for their contributions to our fine quality of life in this province.”

The Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative is improving the health, independence and well-being of older Manitobans across the province, the minister said. Along with addressing physical aspects such as design and maintenance of sidewalks, transportation and housing, Age-Friendly Manitoba supports needs such as social participation, community support and health services, civic participation and employment.
Seniors are one of the fastest-growing age groups in Canada with approximately 14 per cent of the population over 65. With 166,500 seniors, Manitoba has one of the highest per-capita populations in the country.