United Way of the Lower Mainland
Impact
of your
gift
Spring 2010
Preparing for the future — navigating the needs of seniors
At 85 and 86, Hans and Trudy Langer’s faces are tanned from a life-
time spent outside in their New Westminster community. But these
days taking advantage of the outdoors can be challenging. Trudy
has had two knee replacements and is waiting for a new hip; she is
also losing her sight. Hans serves as her primary caregiver, but he
too has trouble getting around.
“We would like to keep Trudy independent,” Hans says.

The challenge
By 2021 almost half a million people in the Lower Mainland will be
over the age of 65 and many of them will share Hans and Trudy’s
concerns – how to remain active and independent in communities
that aren’t designed for older adults. The dramatic increase in our
seniors’ population raises significant issues for everyone -
individuals, families, caregivers and governments.
To prepare for the future, United Way is taking a lead and funding
seven seniors planning tables across Metro Vancouver. Planning opportunity to build connections, develop projects and coordinate
tables enable communities to rally around key issues and to enhance advocacy,” says Mariam Larson, planning table coordinator for both
coordination, planning, and service and program delivery at local the New Westminster Senior Services Task Force (SSTF) and the
and regional levels. The seniors’ tables, made up of seniors, seniors’ Burnaby Seniors Task Force. Her positions are soley funded by
service providers, and community leaders, focus on key interests United Way.
including service and information gaps, affordable housing and
accessible transportation. A planning table in action
“The tables provide seniors with a seat at the decision-making table Addressing the needs of local seniors is a critical function of
and gives them a dominant voice in the process while providing an planning tables. In New Westminster, for example, an exceptionally
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This publication generously sponsored by CIBC.
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