Vernon, B.C. aiming to be more inclusive for seniors – Okanagan | 24CA News
Like many elements of the Okanagan, Vernon, B.C., has a lot of seniors.
More than 1 / 4 of the North Okanagan metropolis’s inhabitants is over 65.
Now the municipality is working to create a selected plan to assist its oldest residents thrive by creating an age and dementia-friendly neighborhood plan.
The plan is being spearheaded by town and Vernon Seniors Action Network and is predicted to deal with every thing from bodily infrastructure like transportation and public buildings to much less tangible elements like how seniors are included in society.
On Tuesday, the general public was invited to provide suggestions on the plan at an open home.
Some contributors mentioned they’d prefer to see extra schooling to cut back misconceptions about dementia and getting older.
“A lot of people who are 90 are very, very healthy. I think sometimes families, staff in stores, [and] staff from the city make it difficult for older people to make choices [and] to get around,” mentioned Vernon resident Phyllis Dyck.
There had been additionally requires Vernon to place a higher give attention to accessibility.
City councillor Brian Guy mentioned sidewalks that abruptly finish, gravel paths, and snow not being cleaned off of some transit stops are examples of accessibility points that could possibly be addressed.
“Things that seem like little things to most people can be really big barriers,” mentioned Guy.
Once achieved the plan is predicted to assist inform the opposite choices town makes about every thing from planning to companies.
“A community that is friendly for people that are older, is friendly for people of all ages,” mentioned gerontologist Mariam Larson, who’s consulting on the venture.
“When I’ve been doing work in other communities I’ve had young parents say accessibility impacts me pushing a stroller…The more stable a community is across all ages, the more stable it is for everybody.”
The metropolis continues to be in search of suggestions on the age and dementia-friendly plan. A draft plan is predicted to be completed by this fall.
As the Canadian inhabitants ages, this kind of planning course of has turn into well-liked with municipalities throughout the nation.
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