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From the Executive Director
Older people have the right to Independence, Participation,
Care, Self-Fulfillment and Dignity: United Nations Principles
for Older Persons
The statement above seems so obvious, but sadly is often
not reflected in real life. It is for this reason that the
Institute is pleased to share this issue of our newsletter
with the B.C. Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors. The
Coalition is making an important contribution to improving
the lives of many older persons in our province.
As an older person I see an important element of preventing
abuse to be encouraging positive attitudes in society toward
seniors. We need to ensure our communities recognize the valuable
contributions that older persons have made and continue to
make to the growth and prosperity of our communities and society
as a whole. These contributions should be valued and respected
and linked to the individuals who make them.
In small and large communities across the province seniors
are involved in a myriad of activities. On CBC Today I heard
an interview with Seniors from the 411 Centre in Vancouver,
who produce a regular program on Co-op Radio. On page 5 [entrance
page of the website] of this newsletter we have included several
of the many web sites that have been developed by seniors,
and there are many more. Many seniors in this province at
no or little cost are back at Universities and colleges taking
courses alongside younger under-graduates. They are finding
that education is indeed a life-long endeavour. Many senior
activities involve countless volunteer hours in institutions
such as libraries and hospitals and community agencies. Their
volunteerism often includes advocacy for their more vulnerable
and fragile peers.
As well as providing needed services this involvement has
a personal payback for us as we age, in that it has a positive
effect on mental, physical and emotional health. As we grow
older in society our goals and ambitions may change, but we
still have them. What is important is that we don't just dream
about what we want to do. Rather we take the first step in
making it happen.
Participation and commitment are key factors at any age
in acquiring a sense of satisfaction and enjoying quality
of life. Each of us is unique and there is no best age to
be, for the best age is every age we are. What is important
is that we identify what we would like to do, with whom and
for how long, and just get started.
Although I am still working, retired individuals in my community
on the Sunshine Coast have approached me with a multitude
of suggestions around what I might want to do.
This time next year what will I be doing? Who knows, except
it will be something that I enjoy and that enables me to make
a contribution to my community.
Jill Hightower
BC Institute on Family Violence
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