Seniors’ week celebrations show appreciation for elders in the community

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Sunny South News

By Erika Mathieu
Sunny South 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 the Barons-Eureka-Warner FCSS said the organization puts on a senior’s week event annually, and the events 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, makes a new friends 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 how breaking bread with others helps to

build and maintain 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 seniors’ 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, seniors’ week celebration 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 is set to host a senior’s week event Wednesday June 7 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Coaldale curling rink and will include 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 for rural seniors.