Healthy Seniors Pilot Project Underway In Saint Andrews, New Brunswick

Muriel Jarvis hosted an event at the WC O'Neill Arena in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick to share the initial results of a Healthy Seniors Pilot Project that is ongoing in Saint Andrews, kicking off in summer 2022. The pilot project is being coordinated by the Age-Friendly Community Committee in Saint Andrews in collaboration with Silvermark, a Fredericton-based advisory firm that specializes in working with aging care leaders in private business, not-for-profits, and all levels of government to define challenges and find solutions that improve the quality of life of seniors.

The objective of this project is to improve the understanding of what healthy aging means, develop new insights into and perspectives on aging, and to foster the development, implementation, and assessment of innovative solutions with partners in the community. The project's aim to create an economically sustainable model for healthy senior living that is focused on the emotional and social well-being of seniors living at home and in the community setting of Saint Andrews.

The bigger scale goal is for Saint Andrews to be a model for other communities. The pilot project engaged with seniors from Saint Andrews over multiple months to garner information on what the needs and desires are for older people in the community to feel happy, comfortable, social, healthy and safe. 

Nicole Whyte, one of the project managers at Silvermark, presented the findings of the pilot project so far. 
"One of the most important findings from this project so far is a need for access to resources," said Whyte. "What you've said to us is that you'd like a central group to organize and centralize community resources for aging in place. You're also hoping for an activity space--whether its a place to knit, have a book club or have dance lessons. Currently, the Anglican Church Hall is open for the community to use, which is an example I can give."
Whyte went on to say that the pilot project showed them is that seniors want to be heard and have their points of view taken into consideration. Since the project is ongoing, further results will be shared at a later date.