Health and Community Services
Executive Council
October 1, 2010
First Annual National Seniors Day Celebrated Today
Seniors across the nation are being acknowledged today
during the first annual National Seniors Day, which will be held October
1 each year to recognize the significant contributions seniors make to
their families, communities, workplaces and society.
"Today marks another important opportunity for us to
celebrate the many accomplishments of seniors throughout Newfoundland
and Labrador," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health
and Community Services and Minister Responsible for Aging and Seniors.
"Seniors play such a pivotal role in our society, and our government is
committed to making strategic investments in programs and initiatives to
further enhance the lives of older persons in the province."
October 1 is also designated as International Day of
Older Persons, which was observed for the first time in 1991.
Commemorations on this day are meant to celebrate seniors' contributions
to their communities as well as raise awareness of the challenges faced
by older persons around the world. This year the United Nations,
together with communities worldwide, will celebrate the 20th
Anniversary of International Day of Older Persons.
"The knowledge and
experience of our seniors is a valuable asset which each generation must
cherish," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister Responsible for
the Status of Women. "Today is an important day set aside to acknowledge
the contribution of seniors and celebrate the immeasurable impact they
have had upon our lives and the legacy which they have provided.
Particularly, it is important to recognize the impact senior women have
had in forming both strong and proud families and communities and the
influence which this has had upon our province."
In 2007, the Williams Government launched a
Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework, outlining six priority
directions together with a series of goals and actions to create an
age-friendly province. The Framework assists the Provincial Government
in responding to the needs of seniors today and in the future.
Budget 2010:
The Right Investments — For Our
Children and Our Future
includes approximately $7.5 million through
the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework for several
programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of seniors. Key
investments include:
- nearly $3 million for enhancements to the 65Plus
Plan under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program,
and the addition of medication for the treatment of macular
degeneration, a serious age-related eye condition;
- approximately $1.7 million for continued
implementation of enhanced palliative end-of-life services;
- $200,000 for the development of an education and
training program to prevent violence against older persons;
-
$200,000 for the Seniors' Community Recreation
Grants Program;
- $200,000 for the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and
Labrador Grants Program to support municipalities, Inuit community
organizations and reserves, and seniors organizations to create
age-friendly communities;
- $70,000 for the Ageless Campaign to promote
positive images of aging; and,
- approximately $65,000 for the Seniors of
Distinction Awards Program.
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Media contacts:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of
Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-2646
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Melissa MacLeod
Communications
Specialist
Women's Policy Office
709-729-6225
melissamacleod@gov.nl.ca |
2010 10 01 9:45 a.m. |
