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National Seniors Day is opportunity to share

The Mount Waddington Community Response Network is using National Seniors Day to urge citizens to “Show a Senior You Care”.

Dear editor,

Yesterday, Oct. 1, was National Seniors Day. The Mount Waddington Community Response Network is using the occasion to urge citizens to “Show a Senior You Care”.

National Seniors Day was established to honour the seniors who have helped build our country and continue to make valuable contributions in our communities.

Sadly, many older adults in Mount Waddington are vulnerable to multiple forms of abuse and need the whole community to be vigilant and supportive. That’s the message from the Community Response Network.

The BC Ministry of Health estimates that between four and 10 per cent of B.C. seniors have experienced some form of abuse (financial abuse is the most common form).

“Legislation alone can’t keep seniors safe – we need an involved community to make a real difference,” said Sherry Baker, Executive Director of the BC Association of Community Response Networks.

Many seniors live in isolation and Mount Waddington residents can show a senior they care through gestures such as a smile and a good morning greeting. Simply taking the time to talk to an older person can make a big difference, as can inviting them for a meal or bringing a meal over, offering to help with chores or driving them to appointments.

The Mount Waddington Community Response Network is part of the BC Association of Community Response Networks (BC CRN), whose mandate is to bring together community and government agencies and community volunteers to develop a coordinated response to abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults. A CRN provides information and support so the community can both prevent and respond effectively to abuse and neglect. Visit: www.bccrns.ca.

For more information please contact: Julie Foster, 250-956-4187; fosterdj@telus.net.

Julie Foster

Gail Neely

Mount Waddington Community Response Network