 |
| Premier David Alward |
David Alward announced today that the goal of the Premier's Panel on Seniors is to help prepare for the challenges the province is facing and currently experiencing as a result of New Brunswick's aging population.
The Premier's Panel on Seniors ... Living Healthy, Aging Well is a panel which will develop a progressive Living Healthy, Aging Well blueprint for seniors in New Brunswick.
The blueprint will guide investments from the government in the areas of community development and other services that help seniors live active and healthy lifestyles.
The premier feels the panel is necessary in order to find a solution to the issues associated with an aging population.
“Meeting the needs and expectations of our growing senior population will require a new approach that incorporates the concepts of shared responsibility and community involvement,” Alward told CNB.
The panel, which consists of five members, will be overseen by John McLaughlin, who has been appointed as chair of the panel. McLaughlin works as president emeritus at the University of New Brunswick.
McLaughlin sees the positive side of an aging population.
“An aging population offers benefits and opportunities. The skills and knowledge of our senior population can provide opportunities for younger generations to learn new ideas while at the same time preserving the lessons of the past,” McLaughlin explained to CNB.
The panel will consider the changing role of seniors, as they, their families and contexts change and evolve, along with strive to understand the social and economic issues seniors, communities and governments are facing.
The panel will also teach the choices and support that the older generation sees as necessary in order to continue living independently in their communities.
The Minister of Social Development reiterated Alward and McLaughlin's thoughts on the new panel.
 |
| Social Development Minister Sue Stultz |
“The panel’s contribution will help us to prepare to meet the needs of tomorrow's seniors while the Department of Social Development continues to focus on the senior population's immediate care needs,” Sue Stultz said.
Support and administration for the project will be provided by the Atlantic Institute on Aging. The premier is expecting to receive the blueprint created by the panel this summer.
“I have confidence in the panel's ability to help New Brunswick plan for the future,” Alward said.
“Together, we are working to encourage and enable healthy aging today and in the future.”
With files from www.gnb.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment