An announcement including funding for four local programs will help seniors to age with dignity, says Sault MP Terry Sheehan.
On Monday, Sheehan attended the Bay Street Active Living Centre to make four funding announcements for local community-based projects under the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program.
"Promoting healthy aging and empowering seniors is essential in building an inclusive, age-friendly Sault Ste. Marie," said Sheehan.
"By participating in these projects, seniors in our city can lead fulfilling lives and remain engaged members of our communities," he added.
The almost $100,000 in announced funding was split between four projects: improving digital skills for seniors and newcomers at Superior Adult Learning, the purchase of a digital projector for the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association, renovating common space and enhancing accessibility at the Algoma Condominium Corporation, and renovating a fitness room at the city's Senior Wellness Studio to allow seniors to continue classes on yoga, dance, and functional fitness.
The first three of those programs were funded to the tune of $25,000, while the Senior Wellness Studio will receive $23,257.
Sheehan said some of the announced funding has already flowed, while an all-new floor at the Senior Wellness Studio is expected to be installed next week.
The funding for Superior Adult Learning is going toward enhancing digital skills for seniors to better keep in touch with their families and friends and interact with the world through technology.
"With COVID we especially saw seniors being shuttered and not having the skills we might take for granted to make a video call to their kids who might live in another province," said Martin Wyant, executive director of Superior Adult Learning.
"When you show them that they're not going to break it and then they get curious . . . they approach it with a more open mind. When there's something specific that they want to do, it makes a difference," said Wyant.
The Canadian government estimates 25 per cent of the country's population will be senior citizens by the year 2051.
"We have a healthy active senior population that this program supports," said Sheehan following the announcement.
He said funding these projects will help seniors stay active, informed and socially connected in their community.
"In the last eight years we've had well over 30 of these projects, creating a great lifestyle for seniors. We have very active and healthy seniors and these programs help them physically to stay active mentally, stay active physically and to fight isolation," said Sheehan.