Summary of what people told us... |
Rosewood CRD Housing Building - located on McKenzie, close to UVIC
August 9th 2016
7 residents 1 CRD staff
What people told us:
Need to feel connected. Need motivation. Collecting board games. Likes quiet things in small groups.
Physical capacity to walk varies from day to day. Makes committing less viable than programs.
Everyone spoke of the advantages of a direct bus route even if it is much greater distance and outside their area. For example, some traveled to Esquimalt.
Intergenerational involvement is valued by many, but not all. Clear differences. How can we increase teen – older adult interaction and activity?
Benches at rec centres removed in favour of floor mats in a program. Participants stopped attending due to this change at GH; volunteers from RIV who are usually UVIC kinesiology students.
To get to the centre; whole day sacrificed for one hour of activity.
Interested in accessing swimming in freshwater lake or ocean. Where is there a ramp, access to the water in natural water setting?
The size of the Esquimalt children’s pool works well for older adults; great to walk around the children’s pool for exercise, along with many other adults; jet sprays are helpful on back, and good to access the pool via a ramp, instead of ladder. Enjoy doing this independently.
In contrast, it takes two buses for these participants to get to Gordon Head, which is relatively close to their Neighbourhood. ( Mackenzie at Gordon Head Road)
IDEA: Transportation possibility: Could we set up 1) a bus stop at Shelbourne by Mt Doug Market ( Past Feltham) 2) a paved pathway connecting directly to Gordon Head. This could eliminate some bus travel and an excessively long walk of 5oo M.
One hour a day is designated to older adults only at Esquimalt; would be good to extend this to a longer period.
IDEA: adult-only times, possibly 1-3 pm, in the pool with no kids, 2-3 times per week
Again, combining library with pool experience. Also shopping. Ability to combine two or three things at same time.
Gardening was seen by all as an important activity, one for which they were interested in some supporting resources, as well as using outdoor green space.
How can we build more opportunities to involve older adults in volunteer capacity – to work with younger people, local or international youth, practice speaking English?
Program “Trust Us” was a successful teen-elder combination program; many programs are for small children, but this is best for teen – elder connection / to reduce the perception of differences between the generations.
Communication of programs: “We would like to be on email list – to be sent the resources and opportunities”. It would be best to have all the local community programs communicated by some central access point. Include info on presentations at Yakimovich Wellness Centre.
Sight challenges: Blind folks not at all oriented to team sports; but activity such as dragonboating - team is highly competitive. Parks and Recreation might consider offering courses in foundational fitness to prepare people for activities such as Dragonboating; We would need mentors. Hands on instruction needed for physical activities at rec centres. Would have to learn the equipment in the weight room.
Parks:
Need clearly marked, even trails;
Recreation centres – pottery studio is ideal for the blind.
People were not aware that most Saanich Rec centres have direct links to rehab clinics, with specific health professionals working in the clinics. Some Saanich staff have specialized training that prepares them to serve the needs of older adults.
One participant, who has mobility challenges and is dependent on use of a scooter, reviewing the new Parks and Trails green guide and brochure, and noted she could not find trails that were accessible to her.
Fees:
The cost can be prohibitive. LIFE gives 52 Drop-ins, 50% four programs per year, and one annual membership at a senior centre; and includes weight room orientations. Also some super courses and programs were mentioned, but on a limited income, participants noted the cost was prohibitive, even at half rate if they have LIFE.
IDEA: Way to enable affordability? Could hours that people volunteer at a Recreation centres be applied to a credit toward program or course registration (beyond the idea of one pass / five hours)
Day trips / expeditions: People loved the opportunities to travel outside Victoria (Chemainus, Parksville) and all agreed that $25 would be a reasonable, affordable maximum price. Could the volunteer hour credit work for this too?
August 9th 2016
7 residents 1 CRD staff
What people told us:
Need to feel connected. Need motivation. Collecting board games. Likes quiet things in small groups.
Physical capacity to walk varies from day to day. Makes committing less viable than programs.
Everyone spoke of the advantages of a direct bus route even if it is much greater distance and outside their area. For example, some traveled to Esquimalt.
Intergenerational involvement is valued by many, but not all. Clear differences. How can we increase teen – older adult interaction and activity?
Benches at rec centres removed in favour of floor mats in a program. Participants stopped attending due to this change at GH; volunteers from RIV who are usually UVIC kinesiology students.
To get to the centre; whole day sacrificed for one hour of activity.
Interested in accessing swimming in freshwater lake or ocean. Where is there a ramp, access to the water in natural water setting?
The size of the Esquimalt children’s pool works well for older adults; great to walk around the children’s pool for exercise, along with many other adults; jet sprays are helpful on back, and good to access the pool via a ramp, instead of ladder. Enjoy doing this independently.
In contrast, it takes two buses for these participants to get to Gordon Head, which is relatively close to their Neighbourhood. ( Mackenzie at Gordon Head Road)
IDEA: Transportation possibility: Could we set up 1) a bus stop at Shelbourne by Mt Doug Market ( Past Feltham) 2) a paved pathway connecting directly to Gordon Head. This could eliminate some bus travel and an excessively long walk of 5oo M.
One hour a day is designated to older adults only at Esquimalt; would be good to extend this to a longer period.
IDEA: adult-only times, possibly 1-3 pm, in the pool with no kids, 2-3 times per week
Again, combining library with pool experience. Also shopping. Ability to combine two or three things at same time.
Gardening was seen by all as an important activity, one for which they were interested in some supporting resources, as well as using outdoor green space.
How can we build more opportunities to involve older adults in volunteer capacity – to work with younger people, local or international youth, practice speaking English?
Program “Trust Us” was a successful teen-elder combination program; many programs are for small children, but this is best for teen – elder connection / to reduce the perception of differences between the generations.
Communication of programs: “We would like to be on email list – to be sent the resources and opportunities”. It would be best to have all the local community programs communicated by some central access point. Include info on presentations at Yakimovich Wellness Centre.
Sight challenges: Blind folks not at all oriented to team sports; but activity such as dragonboating - team is highly competitive. Parks and Recreation might consider offering courses in foundational fitness to prepare people for activities such as Dragonboating; We would need mentors. Hands on instruction needed for physical activities at rec centres. Would have to learn the equipment in the weight room.
Parks:
Need clearly marked, even trails;
Recreation centres – pottery studio is ideal for the blind.
People were not aware that most Saanich Rec centres have direct links to rehab clinics, with specific health professionals working in the clinics. Some Saanich staff have specialized training that prepares them to serve the needs of older adults.
One participant, who has mobility challenges and is dependent on use of a scooter, reviewing the new Parks and Trails green guide and brochure, and noted she could not find trails that were accessible to her.
Fees:
The cost can be prohibitive. LIFE gives 52 Drop-ins, 50% four programs per year, and one annual membership at a senior centre; and includes weight room orientations. Also some super courses and programs were mentioned, but on a limited income, participants noted the cost was prohibitive, even at half rate if they have LIFE.
IDEA: Way to enable affordability? Could hours that people volunteer at a Recreation centres be applied to a credit toward program or course registration (beyond the idea of one pass / five hours)
Day trips / expeditions: People loved the opportunities to travel outside Victoria (Chemainus, Parksville) and all agreed that $25 would be a reasonable, affordable maximum price. Could the volunteer hour credit work for this too?