Strait Shores NB has a large population of older people, and several programs and services to support the health and wellbeing of this population. Nursing Homes Without Walls provides crucial navigation and referral services, as well as social programming to reduce isolation. Westford Nursing Home and Villa provide much needed housing and care support, and the Municipality endorses programs that contribute to overall health and wellbeing. There are numerous public and private social groups in the region, including Rotary Clubs, the Legion, book clubs, games gatherings and Bingos, volunteer opportunities, and faith communities. The Age Friendly Advisory Committee is working collaboratively with other groups towards increasing programming, as well as addressing barriers to well being such as communications, transportation and housing.
Our priorities for this three-year term are to increase awareness of the programs and services available to Strait Shores’ senior residents through a live online Resource Directory. Along with this will be shorter, more accessible hard copy documents such as one-pagers, magnets & calendars that seniors can keep on their fridge so the information is close at hand and easily digestible.
Although Strait Shores has a number of social opportunities for seniors, our Community Needs Assessment revealed the desire for more recreational and social activities. Increasing our offerings through community partnerships is our second priority for this term, using a rotational model of service where appropriate to mitigate transportation barriers. We have already begun offering a few more programs and these have been successful thus far.
Transportation is a vital issue in our rural community. Nursing Homes Without Walls provides free transportation assistance to medical & legal appointments, but there is still a need for more accessible transportation. Our third priority is a transportation project that will seek to obtain and operate an accessible vehicle for the community.