inclusion Powell River (iPR) has added a new community service for seniors to its program listings.
According to a media release, the organization has received a $225,000 grant from United Way of the Lower Mainland’s Healthy Aging stream to run an 18-month pilot program offering recreational and social supports to seniors in the community. Supporting older adults through recreation, or SOAR, will offer a variety of programming to support seniors’ well-being. The new program launches February 15.
iPR, which also runs the local better at home in-home support program for seniors in the community, applied for funding for this project last winter. The original vision for the program was to develop a drop-in centre for older adults offering age-appropriate group exercise, cooking programs, social activities and group community outings. With the ongoing pandemic, the launch will now be online.
SOAR is purchasing 50 tablets to lend to seniors in the community, and is able to fund internet connections for seniors who need it, according to the release. SOAR staff and volunteers will teach program participants to use the technology to access a variety of planned programming, which includes book club, cooking, bingo, chair yoga and crafts.
Demand for senior support and connection is high in the community, and iPR hopes the SOAR program will fulfill a gap in current local programming options, according to the release. While the number of tablets to lend is limited, any older adult with access to their own technology may participate. Participants may self-refer or be referred by a family member or health-care professional. For more information or to register, email SOAR program manager Stacy Mogan at [email protected], or call 604.485.4008.
