Money found for seniors' programs
Langley is one of 56 communities to receive funding for programs to keep senior in their homes longer
Better at Home administrative assistant Carrie Hadden and coordinator Janice McTaggert were at the announcement with Ralph Sultan, minister of State for Seniors.
Photograph by: Heather Colpitts , Langley Advance
The Langley Seniors' Resource Centre is gonna need more volunteers.
Funding of $100,000 per year over four year was announced by the B.C. government and the United Way of the Lower Mainland.
The Better at Home program is receiving more funds for seniors facilities and programs around the province.
The money will allow the local seniors centre to provide more services to keep seniors connected with the community, explained LSRC Better at Home coordinator Janice McTaggert.
"I think that's maybe going to open it up for more people," she elaborated. "That's what we're really happy about."
The Better at Home program is designed to help seniors 65 and older live in their own homes longer by providing simple services delivered by local non-profit agencies.
"Better at Home helps seniors stay engaged and independent," said Micheal McKnight, the CEO of United Way. "By providing seniors with the support they need, United Way helps prevent isolation, loneliness and related health problems."
The Langley centre will add light housekeeping assistance to its other Better at Home services, including transportation to and from appointments, visits, and grocery shopping.
"We hope to launch in April," she said. The ability to expand its programs means the centre will be needing extra help.
"We're going to need volunteers," McTaggert said.
Training starts Feb. 21 and anyone interested can contact her at 604-530-3020.
The total provincial funding announced Monday at the seniors' centre is $15 million.
Langley is one of the first five to put the money to use but in all 56 communities will receive funds. A project is in development for Fort Langley and Aldergrove.
B.C. Minister of State for Seniors Ralph Sultan told the crowd that loneliness is a significant issue in seniors' lives.
"Our government is committed to supporting seniors so that they can stay at home as long as possible because that is what they want," Sultan said.
"Better at Home is a program funded by this government that helps seniors live at home longer - among friends, family and neighbours - by providing simple services such as grocery shopping, friendly visits or snow removal," he said.
After the presentations, Langley MLA Mary Polak and Sultan then went off with staff to film a YouTube video about the announcement.
Better at Home administrative assistant Carrie Hadden and coordinator Janice McTaggert were at the announcement with Ralph Sultan, minister of State for Seniors.
Photograph by: Heather Colpitts , Langley Advance
