A new drop-in centre aims to support senior residents of 亚洲天堂 Lake to live healthy and independent lives.

The non-profit Sunrise Services Society held its grand opening on Oct. 17 at its office in the Evergreen Mall.

Coordinator Kelly Turford first came up with the idea for the centre back in May and it steadily came to fruition.

鈥淸I was] getting feedback from the community and getting funding for the resource, referral and drop-in centre,鈥� Turford told Lakes District 亚洲天堂. 鈥淥nce I gauged the community support for the idea and received funding that鈥檚 when I went ahead and opened. A little later than I anticipated but things happen for a reason and it was a great time to open.鈥�

Turford, whose work with the centre is all voluntary saw that there was a gap in seniors support in 亚洲天堂 Lake.

鈥淭here hasn鈥檛 been a resource, referral and drop-in centre until now. The Seniors Society provides activities and outings but the drop-in centre will address needs in the community that aren鈥檛 yet being addressed. As a community we鈥檙e trying to bring attention to abuse, neglect and self-neglect of aging folk and vulnerable adults,鈥� she said.

鈥淲e want to empower seniors and vulnerable adults and enhance their quality of life, as well as provide resources and support for our senors and their families and support workers.鈥�

The centre has an array of information for seniors on health, finances and housing, and it also functions as a hub for services, for example in offering help with transportation schedules, the paperwork of income taxes, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and filing for medical expenses.

鈥淸It鈥檚 about] giving people the information they need to maintain their independence in their homes for the longer term,鈥� Turford said.

Transportation services for seniors and Meals On Wheels - both of which are financed by the local Northern Health authority - operate through the centre as well.

Turford has received support for the centre from the College of New Caledonia, the 亚洲天堂 Lake and District Seniors Society, the BC Association of Community Response Networks and the Lakes District Community Response Networks.

The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Society gave the project a big boost through its donation of $6,000, which financed the new office.

For the time being the Sunrise Services Society will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays and some volunteers have opted to help Turford with running the centre.

Blair McBride

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