Kaslo is one of 36 BC communities that has been recognized for its age-friendly activities by the BC Healthy Communities Society and the Ministry of Health. Yay Kaslo!
North Kootenay Lake Community Services Society’s Senior’s Coordinator, Elizabeth Brandrick, has been working hard over the past three years on a number of age-friendly projects that helped Kaslo win this honour. In 2014, with support from UBCM, NKLCSS completed an age friendly assessment of Kaslo. Learn more by downloading the full assessment report.
This past year, with support from the Vancouver Foundation, we partnered with the regional “Moving Together” committee to identify solutions and strategies for improving transportation options. One of these options is the West Kootenay Volunteer Driver Program. Elizabeth has recruited 3 new Volunteer drivers from Kaslo, who are available to help seniors access medical appointments in and out of town. You can call Elizabeth to volunteer or to get help booking a volunteer driver.
With the support of a CBT Social Grant, NKLCSS is continuing to work on transportation solutions and, as well, are in the process of developing a new volunteer friendly visitor/seniors support program. Our age-friendly work is being guided by the Age-Friendly North Kootenay Lake Advisory Committee. The advisory committee includes representatives from the North Kootenay Lake Hospice Society, Links (Lardeau Valley Opportunity Links Society), Kaslo Seniors Citizen Association, and the Kaslo Community Response Network.
Elizabeth is also available to help seniors find and access information and resources. You can find her at the Kaslo Seniors Hall every Tuesday morning from 9 am to 11 am, or call her at 250-353-7691 Ext 303.