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  Age Friendly Edmonton
Community Newsletter
It's February and winter is here in full force! 

In the February Issue

February 2018 Featured Stories:
211 Seniors Information Phone Line

The Seniors Information Phone Line is a free, confidential phone service that seniors, their family members or caregivers can call anytime, 24/7, to find out about supports for seniors. Calls are answered by an Information and Referral Specialist (I&R Specialist) at 211 Edmonton who can refer to a wide range of community, social, health and government services.
 
When calling the Seniors Information Phone Line, I&R Specialists will take the time to listen and learn what is going on for the caller. This includes a needs assessment which incorporates questions to help determine the most appropriate and accurate referrals. During this assessment I&R Specialists are also trained to listen for clues to additional needs that the senior may have and offer supports. Once the needs are determined the I&R Specialist will provide information and referrals, this goes beyond a phone number and includes location, hours of operation, and how to access services. The I&R Specialist ensures the caller clearly understands how to access the referrals they have been given. They may provide coaching on how to access services or a warm transfer to an outreach worker or agency that specifically helps seniors navigate services. That is not where the call ends however. The I&R specialist may offer a follow-up call to ensure that the needs were met and provide any additional support.
 
The Seniors Information Phone Line can be accessed from any landline or mobile phone 24/7 in over 170 languages by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting option 2. 


See our website for more information

 
Intergenerational housing benefits

Aging in Place is one’s ability to live in the home and community of their choice, as independently and safely as possible. That choice is key for providing opportunities for intergenerational programs, events, and socializing. There are so many ways to introduce this socialization. A wonderful example of this is the Strathcona Place apartment building:

Strathcona Place Welcomes University of Alberta Students


Manak Dhillon opens the door to a bachelor apartment in Strathcona Place, approximately 325 square-feet. He walks through the living room towards the bathroom and turns his body sideways to get in. This is the only way he can fit into this space. He side steps back out and looks at the bathroom, saying, “If I can barely fit through there, imagine how much trouble a senior would have using this space with a mobility aide?”

Strathcona Place, which was originally built by the province in 1978, has 100 bachelor suites which aren’t conducive for many seniors’ quality of life. After GEF Seniors Housing began managing the building in 2013, vacant bachelor suites became an issue for the building. Dhillon, the building’s manager, proposed an idea as to how he could turn these vacant suites into an innovative opportunity.

“We’re right down the road from the University of Alberta,” says Dhillon. “Why not rent the space to students to recoup any lost revenue from having the suites vacant.”

GEF Seniors Housing designated 25 of the bachelor suites for student housing, ensuring some vacancies can remain available to seniors, with rent set at around $700 a month including utilities and cable. Knowing affordable apartments so close to Whyte Avenue and the University are rare, local students wasted no time capitalizing on what was so clearly a good opportunity. Though there were some hesitations at first about mixing the two ages groups at first, Dhillon says the students and the seniors live quite well with each other.

“There are never any tenancy issues, everyone is respectful of each other, and some of the students even volunteer in the building to give something back,” says Dhillon. “Many of the seniors appreciate having young people around and this demonstrates the benefits of intergenerational housing.”


Seniors Volunteerism

 

Volunteering is a powerful way to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of communities all over the world. However, not only does it make a difference in the lives of recipients, it also benefits volunteers mentally, socially and even physically.

According to a report by the National Seniors Council of Canada, Canadian seniors make up some of the country's most active and engaged volunteers, playing a critical role in strengthening their local communities. For seniors, volunteering promotes active aging, which can actually enhance quality of life in one's later years. Therefore, this research shows that volunteering has the ability to enhance the overall well-being of seniors.

  • Volunteering provides a sense of purpose
  • Volunteering can increase socialization
  • Volunteering promotes physical health
  • Volunteering can help fight depression

Upcoming opportunity!

The City of Edmonton will proudly welcome CitiesIPCC: International Cities and Climate Change Science Conference taking place from March 5 to 7, 2018, at the Shaw Conference Center. The conference aims to inspire global research to inform a special report on cities, and to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in cities.

CitiesIPCC Conference: This ‘first of its kind’ conference was announced in Marrakech at COP22 Climate Change Conference, in 2016. It is being organized and supported by ten of the world’s most notable scientific and urban organizations. Up to 800 conference participants from Canada and across the globe will convene in Edmonton for the purpose of advancing the global understanding of how climate change impacts cities, and the role of cities in tackling climate change.

Change for Climate Events: The City will be hosting a Mayors’ Summit in advance of the conference, a Community Series providing opportunities for Edmontonians to participate, and a Solution Showcase Exhibition.

For more information on the Change for Climate Events and the CitiesIPCC Conference, please visit: https://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_events/schedule_festivals_events/cities-and-climate-change-science-conference.aspx

Volunteers are needed for greeting, registration, room set-up, monitoring, and many other important roles.   Please volunteer and help us show why we are so proud to call Edmonton our home.

Click here to create a volunteer profile and sign up!

Cities Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Conference, taking place from March 2 to 7, 2018
February 2018 Upcoming Events:
Modern Square Dancing
Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018, 7 – 10PM
Westend Seniors Activity Center
9629-176 street, Edmonton Alberta
Cost: $6.00
Where to purchase tickets: Available at the door
Contact Name: Jim and Sylvia
Contact Phone: 780-470-0166
Contact Email: weprom16@gmail.co

Link: www.wepromenaders.ca

We are a modern square dance club with current members that are 8 years old and up. Today's square dancers dance to current top 40 pop music and some of the old favorites as well.
Square dancing is a great way to make new friends and a low impact form of exercise.
As an added bonus a light lunch is served after every dance.

Muttart - From Asia with Love
January 13 – March 4, 2018
Location: Muttart Conservatory, 9626 - 96A Street, Edmonton, AB
Senior (Age 65+) Admission:  $10.50


Orchids, azaleas, citrus and bamboo -- celebrate the many plants that are significant to cultures across Asia. Feel the feng shui energy of the new year also known as the Year of the Dog in the Chinese zodiac.

Family Fun Day at the Zoo!
Monday, February 19, 2018 -  Noon-4pm
Senior (Age 65+) Admission:  $9.25
Bundle up your family and “Get Closer” this Family Day! Indoors or outdoors, enjoy “arctic” activities and games throughout the zoo. Cosy up next to a campfire, learn why the Zoo is an Arctic Ambassador Centre for Polar Bears International and visit our free photo booth to take home a family memory!

Skate on Edmonton’s IceWays

Victoria Park IceWay

The Victoria Park IceWay is a three-loop skating trail wrapping through the majestic forests of Victoria Park offering visitors a magical and enchanted winter experience in the heart of downtown Edmonton.

Hours and Access
Public Skating hours 10am to 10pm daily

Parking will be available in the Victoria Park main parking lot, Victoria Park east lot, and at the Victoria Golf Course


Rundle Park IceWay
With just under 2 km of ice, the Rundle Park IceWay is the newest additon to the IceWay family. Featuring a shinny pond, a large table land ice skating surface and a smaller family rink this IceWay is connected to picnic shelters and warming huts for a enjoyable, family friendly skating experience in the River Valley.

Hours and Access
Public Skating hours dawn to dusk

Parking will be available in the main Family Centre parking lot or the ACT parking lot
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