Summary of what people told us... |
- Older Adult Strategy – Saanich Parks and Recreation
Location: Les Passmore, Saanich Silver Threads, July 18th
14 Participants, ages 70+ - 96 yrs
Question: What motivates you to participate in community programs?
Answers mainly in relation to Les Passmore – Saanich Silver Threads: - Friends/friendly people – people who come up and say hello to you when you are new or do not know anyone
- Staff took time to tour the centre with me when I came for the first time – friendly staff (Les Passmore)
- Nice to see people. Meeting everyone
- Variety of programs: choir, shuffleboard, carpet bowling, jigsaw puzzles, library, food. shuffleboard, carpet bowling, choir
- Activities less important, it’s more about getting out. Social is more important more than activities. X 3
- Nervous at first when joining a program. Liked being welcomed by a smile and a nice voice. Gain confidence and start other activities. Feel better within after joining
- First impression, “feeling welcome” from the start is important for me to come back
- Family encouraged Mom to join the Centre
- Through participation in an activity helps to build self-confidence – the more confidence you have the more motivation to join other activities
- My family encouraged me to join the centre
- Food is important
- Good cook, restaurant,
- Costs at Les Passmore are reasonable (several people agreed)
- Location makes a difference ( ie. One bus away)
- Proximity to the centre is good for me, can walk over
- Use handidart and bus
- Nice Thrift shop
- Special events & Concerts in the park
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Parks - Enjoys walking along the Gorge Parkway, well maintained. Flower beds look good. Like being outside, open air
- Parks do a good job and also of the beds
- Want – more benches and washrooms X 2
- Prefer flatter cement surfaces (easier for walking)
- Do not feel safe walking by oneself to or in a park (especially when living alone)
- Some parks not looked after as well others. Layritz for example
- Recreation as well as preservation important for parks
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What at are the challenges and barriers you face when accessing community recreation and parks? - Transportation hampers getting out
- Weekends – lack of weekend programming in winter, not much to do in the winter
- Weekends interrupt the routine from the week
- Weekends can be boring- walk to the Mall to see people and have something to do
- Saturdays are the longest day of the week
- Hard to find out what is happening in town, don’t have a newspaper
- Getting around is challenging (mobility – walking with a walker)
- Uneven terrain of pathways. Cement would be better.
- Don’t like going alone
- Looking for inspiration. Interesting activities. Cannot do the things I used to do. Have to give up things because of health
- Hardest thing to do is getting out the door your house
- Need multigenerational friends
- Seniors are slower. Younger people talk too fast. Time needed for processing
- When your functioning changes your live changes and the things you enjoy doing changes
- Living alone
- Younger people do not know how to treat older people – they speak too fast and older brains cannot keep up or process that fast
- Meeting others for companionship
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Question: Where do you find information about activities? - Phone the recreation centre or senior centre
- Newspaper
- Silver Threads Newsletter
- Senior Serving Seniors Directory (Blue Book)
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Themes: - Socialization/connections is very important
- Costs – programs that are affordable
- Friendliness of a place makes all the difference/a welcoming place – staff training important