Summary of what people told us... |
- Chinese Seniors Group (meet weekly, Saturdays, Commonwealth Place)
July 9, 2016
Commonwealth Place Teen Centre
20 attendees
Translator for Mandarin language
What is working well for older adults in Saanich?
... Rec Centers - they like swimming, but could someone give lessons to older adults?
- they enjoyed Bingo but it was stopped
- It was well attended and they would pay to play
- Many didn’t know what pickle ball was , but liked the idea
- more air conditioning here in teen centre as gets hot playing pingpong. Garage doors open but then too windy for ping pong & balls go out
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… Parks - they like music in the park
- they would like someone to organize activities and they could bring their own food
- some play tennis at Gordon Head school
- bike riding
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Arts & culture - would like to see an event/program with Chinese music and/or Chinese dancing
- exercise like Tai Chi which can be done outside
- they like to bring family members, otherwise they cannot get a ride as many are seniors and don’t drive, or don’t feel comfortable taking the bus
- can someone organize the group to get to music in the park?
- they need information, notices, there is a bulletin board in SCP but it needs to be written in Mandarin
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Barriers to participation - transportation and distance (most walk to SCP)
- Families too busy to drive them around
- they like to explore new things but they get lost because of the language
- better if they had name tags, id, phone # in a card they could wear around neck if they get lost and need help
- indicated they would like a contact list so could contact people by phone outside of the group (optional sign up)
- at activities they attend, 90% of the people are Chinese but there is no translator and the English seem very impatient with them
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What challenges do older adults face in access? - Language is the biggest and most restrictive barrier
- No one is available to translate for them
- They need to feel comfortable and welcome which doesn’t happen
- Signs and info need to be in Mandarin
- Transportation
- Leaders to organize activities
- Wifi –they use or a are learning to use smart phones but not computers
- Cost is not a factor to them as their families typically help with $
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What words are respectful for older adult? - Elders
- Chi eng -means person of respect in ancient language
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At what age are you an older adult? - Numbers ranged from 55 to 90
- Average was 70 years
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What would make Saanich Rec better? - anything that improves their health and well being
- social activities which must have a Mandarin leader or a translator
- they like and need daily activity
- a contact person who can speak Mandarin to assist them and help them find answers for services (i.e., questions about assisted living as they age)
- If they have no family, they must access a social worker who doesn’t speak their language
- A Mandarin speaker to talk about health, senior’s issues, hospital access, etc.
- A volunteer to teach swimming
- Classes offered in Mandarin BUT the info must be posted in Mandarin
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