Summary of what people told us... |
Older Adult Strategy – Saanich Parks and Recreation
World Café – Yakimovich Wellness Centre
Wednesday, May 18th, 2016
When you think back to your most positive, memorable experience you had related to parks, trails, facilities and recreation . What was it and what made it memorable?
- Most memorable was introduction to Pickleball on recreation tour. I can’t do it in spring but look forward to the fall.
- I liked trying out activities in Steps To Connect, tried things I wouldn’t have and now love Zumba
- Introduced to Pickleball at Steps To Connect now too busy with table tennis
- Love gentle aerobics and getting warmed up, it’s wonderful
- LIFE program has helped me enjoy many programs
- Transportation is an issue, how do seniors get to the venue and cost of transportation
- The trails and cycling, the country feel
- Walking along the water, beaches, so lucky
- Natural environment is very enjoyable
- Love to go and see people doing activities and sports in the parks
- I like Community Gardens because you can go when you want, others make you be there at 9am and I need to get up slowly
- Having access to Community Gardens would be great
- Need to get outside and enjoy trees & flowers
- Lots of new immigrants with a lot of knowledge and no land to garden
- Keep up the trails and would like a walking map
- Like trails that are safe and not loaded with other activities, less traffic
Question: In what ways could Saanich Parks and Recreation further contribute to older adult’s health and well-being in Saanich?
- Outreach – Saanich come to a housing setting ie/ Saanich come to a housing setting to setup carpet bowling
- Cost of Programs – older adults aware of the LIFE program but some do not qualify for LIFE and find it difficult to afford passes or signing up for programs (mid-low income bracket)
- Programs for the very frail (physically, cognitively) seniors – expand on programs that are in existence such as: Boost Your Brain Power, Three part Falls Education Series, Steps to Connect, TIME program, Minds in Motion
- Divide programs by Day Time and Night Time programs vs seniors/older adults or function
- Have a monthly review or something like that in the Centre to go over programs with seniors – have this in a café style setting
- Question: is there a role for the recreation centre to help people navigate the healthcare system – could be done in a partnership with the health authority
- Transportation – creative ways to support people getting to the recreation centres
- Saanich Bus – to pick up, take to centre and home from programs
- Saanich staff at the Centres support booking handidart for some clients who use handidart
- Saanich Bus – to pick up, take to centre and home from programs
- Get people out on their feet and use their conversation skills
- Have facilitates accept pets/dogs – many seniors have a pet and need to leave their pet at home when maybe having their pet come with them would benefit that person and others
- Expand the concept of therapy assisted dogs in Centres
- Accessibility of facilities – is often the barrier that stops people from participating in programs in the recreation centres - offer programs where the older adults are living
- Are we making assumptions of what older adults like to do? Engagement of people – talk to people to find out what they want for programs vs the centres thinking what older adults want in a program ie/ Men hang out at Tim Horton’s for coffee – go meet the men at Tim’s talk with them and find out what they want
- Offer music programs in the Centres; Music therapy; Music appreciation
- At music concerts provide song sheets for people to use to sing-a-long to the song?
- Broaden the demographics of users of centres – ie, First Nations – have programs that would be of interest and meaningful to First Nations
- Cultural Diversity – English as second language programs
- Not just focus on seniors but focus on all people
- Time of programs offered – seem to be all in the day – what about those who are 55+ who still work who would like to participate in some of the programs in the evening time
- Have reading groups on different topics
- Program idea- Country Dancing
- Walking programs –
- walk and talk programs
- Walk and read
- Orienteering program
- Geo caching
- Scavenger hunts
- Poker run/walks
- walk and talk programs
- Parks:
- Parks and Trails have more benches and bathrooms
- In the parks – have trees/plants be identified either with a tag on them or listed somewhere
- Safety in Parks – question – are there any fears from people who use the parks – could there be a check-in system for walking in the parks
- Parks and Trails have more benches and bathrooms
- Find a way to expand community gardens – Saanich has lots of land – use for community gardens with raised beds so people with wheelchairs and walkers can garden
- Question: do enough people know what Saanich is offering?
- Marketing/Advertising of programs – need to do a better job of letting people know what is available
- Active Living Guide – difficult to find information /programs - Active Living guide done differently
- Terminology/wording in guide
Saanich Parks & Recreation offers a variety of opportunities for older adults however many tend not to be involved. What things might be done to expand participation?
- They offer different activities but they cost money & are physical
- Many activities offered but here, there , everywhere – location is important
- Activities must be close
- LIFE program helps with ½ off 4 programs
- Are we reaching the people?
- What is many? What is the variety?
- Women come out. How do we engage men?
- Men’s sheds – mens’ stuff, woodworking, car fixing etc
- Tm Hortons, Legion, bars – sit & talk with other men
- Competitions: fun, bragging rights,
- Still need things to get better at, if not competitive, not worth doing
- Men’s sheds – mens’ stuff, woodworking, car fixing etc
- Need opportunities for both
- The isolated need rides
- For introverts if someone isn\t a coffee person providing a situation where coffee & conversation isn t the focus
- A place to feel comfortable, some places I don’t feel as though I fit in and so going to different places
- Some places offer interest or focus groups to draw people in.
- Offer times outside daytime X 2
- Times early to bed, early to rise
- You build it, they will come
- What Is it they enjoy? Need to find out
- Work with VIRC, Native Friendship Centre, lots of new immigrants
- Places to become computer literate – library
- Have to be fit, need to accommodate all issues
- Offer smaller group classes X 3 (especially in rehab)
- Despite physical issues you still want to participate, like to be active
- Interview them where they are
- Run programs in the building where they are, invite friends from outside X 2
- Condo party, use exercise room
- Need washroom facilities
- Need expertise in rec centre trainers/leaders to transition hospital care to community program
- Transportation – getting there and back can be a barrier
- Buddy system would help seniors living alone , getting over the first day
- Call back afterwards for feedback
- Start it at a building and build it
- 0ffer food or potluck
- Offer babysitting for grandkids so both get out
- Classes are cancelled because of low registration but hard to find info in the guide on programs
- Cost is usually good but some programs have doubled, increased supervision increased cost
Where do you look for information regarding parks, trails, recreation and facilities?
- Look in a guide
- Paper X 3
- Pick up flyers at centres
- Bulletin boards in centre
- Biggest number of recruits come from newspaper ads
- GPs but they have no knowledge of what is available
- Newsletters
- Stay Active Prevent Falls program– low registration, no one could find it in the guide Advertise:
- Use Go Island show on Shaw
Churches
Medical Buildings
In the paper
Bulletins boards in condos/apartments
- Broaden the demographics of users of centres – ie, First Nations – have programs that would be of interest and meaningful to First Nations
- Cultural Diversity – English as second language programs
- Not just focus on seniors but focus on all people
- Time of programs offered – seem to be all in the day – what about those who are 55+ who still work who would like to participate in some of the programs in the evening time
- Have reading groups on different topics
- Program idea- Country Dancing