New Year, New Opportunities
Winter has finally hit BC this month and many of us are feeling Jack Frost nipping at our nose. And ears. And toes. It seems like a good time to write about preparing for winter emergencies, yes for ourselves but especially for the vulnerable adults we support. This month we offer tips for emergency planning and checklists to ensure everyone stays safe during snowstorms, power outages and other emergencies.
Did we mention the New Year? Yes, it’s 2024 and at BC CRN we are looking at the opportunities the new year offers. Our Executive Director, Sherry Baker, has begun her transition into retirement. We have been introducing you to new CRN team members and are always on the lookout for volunteers. Our team is busy planning local events and provincial learning. We’re excited for everything 2024 will offer!
We wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year with opportunities to learn, flourish and make new connections. We are grateful that you spend some of your valuable time with us.
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CRNs in the Community: December’s Education and Holiday Season Events Wrap Up
Thank you to all our BC CRN Mentors, Coordinators and volunteers for your care and compassion for the older and vulnerable members in your communities over the holidays and throughout 2023. December was a very busy month of delivering education programs and making merry memories through preparing gift packages and hosting seasonal events for older isolated adults.
Read more for highlights from around the province.
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How to Use Facebook: Is Facebook Still a Popular Social Media Platform?
Since its introduction, Facebook continues to outrank all other apps as the number one social media platform used globally for individuals and businesses. To help people who are already on Facebook to connect and share information more effectively with their communities, we are creating a series of articles with tips on how to build a good Group or Business page, create better engagement, use Tags and Hashtags effectively, and how to protect the security of your account.
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Emergency Preparedness for Seniors in Winter: Assess, Plan and Prepare
According to the Canadian Red Cross, older adults are most at risk during emergencies. Ice and snowstorms, power outages, flooding, inadequate housing and the inability to shop for food or socialize affect both the mental and physical health of vulnerable adults. Often disasters or emergencies happen without warning so it’s critical to have a plan in place before an emergency happens. There are a few steps to prepare for the unexpected that will make things easier for them and their family members or caregivers.
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Provincial Learning Event: Hearing Health for Life
January 15, 2024 | 10:30am - 12:00pm PST
You are invited to join BC CRN’s January online Provincial Learning Event: Hearing Health for Life. Hearing loss is a common complaint among older adults. According to the National Institute on Aging, hearing loss can negatively impact a person’s cognitive health (leading to issues related to concentration and memory), mental health (increasing the likelihood of someone experiencing depression and loneliness), and physical health (leading to an increased risk of falls and other personal safety issues).
Join us for this dynamic webinar and learn about the signs of age-related hearing loss and how to best support those who are experiencing the impacts of hearing loss. Let’s connect and discuss hearing health for life!
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Provincial Learning Event: What is Personal Planning for Older Adults?
February 20, 2024 | 10:30am - 12:00pm PST
You are invited to join BC CRN’s February online Provincial Learning Event: What is Personal Planning for Older Adults? This webinar will feature an online launch of two videos with personal stories from people across BC, highlighting the usefulness of personal planning – planning for incapacity, end-of-life and other support needs. What is personal planning? How is it different from estate planning? What if I have a Will and an Enduring Power of Attorney – am I covered? What if I can’t make any of these documents? What will happen to me in an emergency if I can’t speak for myself? Learn the answers to these questions and more.
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See Something, Say Something! Online Workshop
February 6, 2024 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm PST
You are invited to join us for this dynamic online workshop. The See Something, Say Something! Reducing Risk for Older Adults program is designed to help identify high-risk adults, particularly those who live alone and who may be isolated. Everyone can play an important role in the community in keeping others safe, secure, and independent.
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It’s Not Right! Online Workshop
March 5, 2024 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm PST
You are invited to join us for this dynamic online workshop. The It's Not Right! Neighbours, Friends & Families for Older Adults program is designed to help people learn how to recognize the warning signs of abuse among older adults and determine how to respond safely and supportively. True to life scenarios are explored to facilitate discussions and to build skills.
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We're interested in hearing from you!
We welcome your feedback, story ideas, and photos for consideration in a future edition.
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BC CRN acknowledges the generous financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
For more on the BC CRN and our free programs, visit us at | bccrns.ca.
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