55+ SYMPOSIUM: SERVING BURLINGTON’S OLDER ADULT COMMUNITY – Organized by Hon. Karina Gould, Federal Minister of Democratic Institutions.
The Symposium held at the Burlignton Seniors’ Centre on Sunday June 04 afternoon drew a sizeable crowd.
A well packed Resource Gallery had displays from CARP, Circle of Friends, Seniors’ Advisory Committee, Seniors Without Walls, McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, Community Development Halton, 211 Services and Service Canada.
Representatives from McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, Community Development Halton, 211 Services and Service Canada gave information packed presentations. Focus of Service Canada was Canada Pension Plan (CPP), CPP Disability Benefit, CPP Children’s Benefit, CPP Survivor’s Pension, CPP Death Benefit, Old Age Security (OAS), OAS Allowance for the Survivors and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Other presentations centred around the services that are available to the seniors in Burlington as well as elsewhere in Ontario, amongst which were McMaster Optimal Aging Portal for information about healthy aging; call 211 supported by United Ways for information on Social Clubs, Recreation Programs, Seniors’ Centres, Computer Classes, Home Care Services, Utility Assistance, Chronic Disease Program, Elder Abuse Advocacy, Grocery Help, Retirement Homes, Volunteer Centres etc.; Seniors Without Walls for variety of call-in programs that inform or entertain in-home seniors 60+ in a fun and interactive way.
Hon, Gould is the first, may be the only MP to hold a symposium of this nature thus far. Your MP may conduct similar sessions in your area. If they do, it is most definitely well worth attending. Such events are generally published in your local community newspapers such as Burlington Post etc.
(Reported by Sadanand Mankikar)
