Seniors’ Week celebrations show appreciation for elders in the community

Posted on June 8, 2023 by admin

By Erika Mathieu

Westwind Weekly News

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is hosting a seniors celebration June 8 at Coyote Flats Pioneer Village and Prairie Tractor and Engine Museum just outside of Picture Butte.

The event which gives recognition to older adults and their community contributions has been taking place in Alberta since 1986 and takes place from June 5-11.

The FCSS Seniors’ Celebration will include lunch, music and prizes. The hoedown event will award prizes to the best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl who arrive dressed in their best western wear. 

Renee White, the senior services coordinator for Barons-Eureka-Warner FCSS said the organization puts on a Senior’s Week event annually, and the event takes place in a different municipality each year.

White said, “I think this is really important to recognize seniors. The event is an opportunity for seniors to meet together. It is a chance for them to get together and renew some friendships, make a new friend and just have a nice afternoon spending time with each other listening to some music and have lunch together.”

As is the case across many cultures, White also highlighted the role that breaking bread with others has in building and maintaining connections and relations. 

With older folks at an increased risk for isolation, Senior’s Week is an important reminder to celebrate seniors and their important contributions to the community. 

“Honouring seniors during Senior’s Week is definitely very important,” and added, “sometimes they can be a bit of a forgotten part of our community, but really, they’re an essential part of our communities; they help make our communities healthy and vibrant, so recognizing them and taking care of them is incredibly important.” 

In addition to the event at Coyote Flats, Senior’s Week celebrations kicked off in Coaldale at the Sunny South Lodge on June 5, for a fundraiser pancake breakfast with proceeds going to support the resident’s activity fund. As well, the Coaldale Senior’s Advisory Committee with support from community hosted a Senior’s Week event yesterday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Coaldale Curling Rink and included lunch, entertainment, and a guest speaker. 

FCSS also hosts annual conferences geared towards seniors which provide an opportunity to get connected with peers and other resources in the region. 

FCSS also helps organize a number of workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics which support everyday wellness and injury prevention. The speaker series for seniors presentations are offered by the FCSS Senior Services team in collaboration with local organizations to strengthen and enrich well-being in rural seniors.