Raising Clarenville and Clarenville Campus' Age Friendly Profile

Last week I received a very interesting email from Leo Bonnell.  Leo is a strong voice for older people in Clarenville and a great advocate for making our community and other communities more age friendly.  He sent me a copy the April edition of the International Federation of Ageing newsletter.  Why?  Both Clarenville and Clarenville Campus were profiled in it...see for yourself in this excerpt - Great job Leo at raising the Town's and our campus' profile!

April 2012 IFA taking part in the WHO Global Twitter Chat on Healthy Ageing - 2 April 2012  On Monday 2nd of April, the IFA participated in a Global Twitter Chat organized by the World Health Organization (WHO).  It aimed at bringing together various organizations and individuals worldwide to discuss and share views on "Healthy Ageing".  In celebration of the World Health Day, the IFA was proud to be part of this global discussion and raise important issues concerning our ageing society. For one hour the IFA asked its Twitter followers to think about how older people are impacting on their everyday lives, how they represent an essential part of our societies and how they should feel valued as such.  Indeed, most older people are not treated with the respect and consideration they deserve.  Ageing is a phenomenon that concerns every single one of us, and growing old isn't only about adding years to life but most of all about adding life to years. This year WHO encouraged everyone to celebrate Healthy Ageing, advocating for a positive image of older people leading productive and active lives.  According to the WHO report the key chat impacts were: 20,219,692 impressions (i.e. estimate of the number of people the relevant tweets are reaching). 1,061,840 Twitter accounts reached. 1,479 tweets; 835 contributors over 2 days (1 and 2 April 2012). Along with other organizations such as HelpAge International, the City of New-York, the City of Manchester, of Brussels, the European Commission, as well as WHO Regional Offices, the IFA joined the online community to spread the word about healthy ageing. We welcome you to follow the IFA on Twitter! We would be delighted to chat with you and hear all about your experiences, impressions and opinions concerning ageing issues. Tune in and, for instance, tell us who is, according to you, an inspirational over 65 person? All of the answers will be compiled into an article for the May issue. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook To read the entire WHO Report click Here IFA Global Conference in Prague - It is not too late to register! Come and join us in Prague for the IFA 11th Global Conference from May 28th to June 1st. Expert clinicians, academics, practitioners and business have worked to develop Master Classes as well as an original and interesting program which can be accessed on our website http://www.ifa2012.com/ Ten years after the UN Global Conference on Ageing in Madrid, 2012 will be a turning point for ageing policies all over the world - YOU can be a part of it! Take action now and register for the 11th Global Conference! If you have any questions concerning the registration process please contact Ms. Martina Balcarova at balcarova@quarant.cz  In This Issue World Health Day Twitter Chat 11th Global Conference on Ageing Dementia: A Public Health Priority Home Care Priorities in Canada Living Longer, Living Better Age-Friendly New York City Janaseva Foundation celebrates World Health Day 2012 Active Ageing Report 3rd National Convention of Railway Pensioners in India Computer Education for Older Adults Occupational Therapists Toolkit agaisnt Elder Abuse My Friends Online Week Humanitarian funding for older people and people with disabilities Generations @ School Project New World Hope Organization IAGG Conference - South Africa Call for Support Closing Note Quick Links IFA Website IFA Board of Directors Prague 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing www.ifa2012.com    IFA Patron Member  The IFA is now onFacebook and Twitter! Join our Online Community Now !

Age-Friendly Communities brings Computer Education to Older Adults in Newfoundland and Labrador

By Mr. Leo Bonnell, Vice-Chair Random Age-Friendly Communities Board, Chair of Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors.

The family in a small community in Newfoundland and Labrador was preparing to celebrate the 90^th birthday of their father. Still leading a very active lifestyle, and a person who always felt age should never be a barrier to learning and enjoying life, it was decided by the family, the birthday gift would be a laptop computer. This is where our story begins.  

Newfoundland and Labrador, a former colony and dominion of the United Kingdom up until 1949, is the youngest province of Canada. The Province consists of Newfoundland, located on the east coast of Canada and the Labrador portion that is attached to the Canadian mainland and shares a border with the province of Quebec and the territory of Nunavut.

The Town of Clarenville is located just a couple of hours drive from the capitol city of St. John's. In 2007, Clarenville, with a population of just under 6000, was selected to be one of the 10 communities in Canada to pilot the Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities initiative. A steering committee was formed and a Random Age-Friendly Communities Board emerged.

This Board of volunteers, have created and developed a variety of programs all with a focus of making the Town and surrounding communities more "age-friendly ".

One of these programs is "Computer Classes for Seniors" . In partnership with the local campus of the College of the North Atlantic, evening computer classes were offered to seniors at no cost for the eight week duration.  The course teaches seniors basic computer skills, including searching the internet, emails basics, Google Earth, on-line banking, social media and using Skype to connect with families living in far off places.

The community college provides the classroom and use of computers without charge. Volunteers from the community and the local high school facilitate the teaching to the older adults, many of whom have had no knowledge of computers prior to enrolling in the program.  It has become a rewarding experience not only for the seniors, but also for the volunteer teachers. To quote one young volunteer : " this has been one of the most worthwhile projects I was ever involved with - to see the progress seniors make in such a short time is truly amazing"

In March 2012, another 17 seniors graduated bringing the total number up to 127 since Random Age-Friendly Communities Board launched the program in 2008. The success of this program proves the point that seniors of today are embracing technology and their lives are being enriched as a result of learning new things in their golden years.

Just like the senior who celebrated his 90^th birthday and became a graduate in a computer class, all in the same year, many older adults today see lifelong learning as an enhancement to the quality of life. Communities need to create opportunities for seniors to stay involved and contribute, which is at the heart of successful aging.

The Age-Friendly Communities framework and structures create supportive environments for the optimization of opportunities to enhance the quality of life for people of all ages.