Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
June 17, 2015

Improving the Health and Wellness of Seniors

$200,000 Investment Supports Age-Friendly Communities

The Provincial Government has provided a total of $200,000 to 14 municipalities and 19 community-based organizations to support the development of programs and services which make Newfoundland and Labrador more age-friendly for residents. The grants are designed to help develop plans, build capacity, and implement projects and programs which help communities create more age-friendly environments which benefit all citizens, including older adults.

"An age-friendly community is one where the physical and social environments are designed to allow older people to live safely, enjoy healthy pursuits, and continue to participate fully in society. It is a community that allows for involvement and interaction amongst all its citizens. These grants are one way in which our government is demonstrating its commitment to enabling communities to become more age-friendly by assessing, and addressing their needs within such areas as the built environment, transportation, housing, social participation, civic participation, employment, communication, community support and health services."
- Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Recipients of age-friendly grants under the 2014-15 program are included in the backgrounder below.

Since 2010, a total of $1.1 million has been allocated to allow 45 communities to assess their age-friendliness; 13 existing age-friendly communities to carry out "next steps"; and 95 grants to allow seniors' organizations and retiree groups to implement age-friendly projects.

For more information on community-based grants available through the Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, visit: //www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/grants/chl_fund.html.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Provincial Government has provided a total of $200,000 to 14 municipalities and 19 community-based organizations to support the development of a more age-friendly Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • The grants are designed to help develop plans, build capacity, and implement projects and programs which assist in community efforts to create more age-friendly environments which benefit all citizens.
  • Since 2010, the Provincial Government has allocated more than $1.1 million to promote the importance of healthy aging and to help create more age-friendly communities. A total of 45 communities have received funding to assess their age-friendliness; 13 existing age-friendly communities have received funding to carry out "next steps"; and 95 grants have been provided to seniors' organizations and retiree groups to implement age-friendly projects.

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Media contact:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Age-Friendly Grant Recipients (2014-15)

Town/CityApplicant NameProject DescriptionApproved
AquaforteTown of AquaforteAge-Friendly Aquaforte Action Plan$5,000
Arnold�s CoveArnold�s Cove Heritage FoundationExpansion of Vegetable Gardens$2,500
Baie VerteTown of Baie VerteBecoming an Age-Friendly Community$10,000
Cape BroyleTown of Cape BroyleSenior Recreation & Fitness Program$4,000
BurinBurin Senior Citizens 50+ ClubHealthy Aging Exercise Programs$4,000
Clarenville and AreaRandom Age-Friendly CommunitiesSeniors Information Fair$5,000
Corner BrookCity of Corner BrookActive Seniors Corner Brook � Community Assessment$10,000
Flat BayNo�kmaq Village (Flat Bay Band In.)Nestue�k (Wise) Food Gathering � Ride, Lunch & Learn$5,000
Fogo IslandTown of Fogo IslandAge-Friendly Development Project � Action Phase$5,000
GlovertownNewfoundland and Labrador 50+ Federation Inc.Connecting Seniors in Rural Areas to Information$8,000
Grand BankGrand Bank Recreation CommissionBasic Computer Training Program for Seniors$5,000
Grand Falls-WindsorTown of Grand Falls-WindsorGrand Falls-Windsor Senior Wellness Hub of Online Information$5,000
Harbour BretonHarbour Breton Funship 50+ ClubSilver Liners Dance Club$3,500
Howley60+ Seniors GroupPhysical and Education Programs � Nourishing Minds & Bodies$5,000
McIversTown of McIversAge-Friendly Assessment$10,000
Mount PearlSafety Services Newfoundland & LabradorIndependence Driven: A Defensive Driving Course for Seniors Drivers$10,000
Parker�s CoveTown of Parker�s CoveAssessing Seniors� Social Supports$10,000
PasadenaHumber Valley Senior Citizen�s ClubAge-Friendly Survey Results � Plan of Action$5,000
PlacentiaPlacentia Area Chamber of CommercePlacentia Bay Age-Friendly Community Fair & Exposition$5,000
Port BlandfordPort Blandford Recreation BoardSeniors Sewing Club$5,000
Postville Inuit Community The Postville Inuit Community GovernmentImproving Living Standards for our Elders Through Stable Home Heating � Community Wood Share$5,000
RiverheadRiverhead Recreation CommitteeLunch and Learn Sessions on Healthy Living$3,500
Rocky HarbourCommunity Advisory Committee, Seniors Wellness Sub-CommitteeAging and Engaging: Bonne Bay Community Food Security Project$7,000
St. Jacques � Coombs CoveSt. Jacques � Coombs Cove Recreation CommitteeAge-Friendly Community Action$5,000
St. John�sVictorian Order of NursesVON SMART In-Home Congregate Exercise Program$5,000
St. John�s Francophone Federation of Newfoundland and LabradorHealthy Mind and Body Training for Seniors � Teleconference Series$5,000
St. John�s The Salvation Army Young at Heart (YAH)Lunch and Learn Sessions on Healthy Living$2,500
St. Joseph�sTown of St. Joseph�sAge-Friendly Community Assessment$10,000
SpringdaleLife Unlimited for Older AdultsFrom Seed to Table: Container Gardening Project$5,000
TorbayTown of TorbayAge-Friendly Project Phases 3 & 4$5,000
TwillingateTown of TwillingateBuilding an Age-Friendly Community � Assessment$10,000
Twillingate-New World IslandCommunity Wheels ProjectCommunity Wheels Project Phase 4$10,000
WhitewayWhiteway Fifty Plus Club Inc.Fitness and Lifestyle Initiative$5,000

2015 06 17                              12:10 p.m.