MOOSE JAW — On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the United Nations (UN) will universally observe what it calls the International Day of Older Persons with the goal of recognizing the many contributions made by older adults worldwide. The occasion also aims to highlight and explore the issues that affect this demographic.
To honour the occasion, a senior symposium is being planned for Oct. 1 at the Timothy Eaton Gardens’ XYZ Auditorium with a starting time yet to be determined.
Attendance is free of charge and the event will be organized on a come-and-go basis.
The symposium will also take place during Senior’s Week in Saskatchewan, which is a week dedicated to the recognition of roles played by older adults every day and in every community. This year’s week of recognition will run from Tuesday, Oct. 1 to Monday, Oct. 7.
“Everybody can get a table and then it’s kind of like one of our craft shows… where tables are set up and anybody is welcome to come in, sit down, and talk to see if they can get any information from any of these tables,” explained Tanya Legare, administrator of the Moose Jaw & District Senior Citizen’s Association (MJDSCA).
The MJDSCA is involved in the planning for the senior’s symposium and is based out of the Timothy Eaton Gardens.
The symposium is meant to help provide older adults with a wide range of practical and helpful information relevant to their current circumstances. Although vendors are still confirming their attendance as of Aug. 28, Legare said she’s looking to see several retirement homes, assisted living facilities, mobility services, health care providers, and similar service providers in attendance.
“(The symposium is offered) in case you need a future reference for a senior or if you’re looking towards the future (and exploring) all your options,” she explained.
This year’s celebration of Senior’s Week will open at the Timothy Eaton Gardens with a return of the association’s annual $5 pancake breakfast provided onsite at the venue.
“And then throughout the week we’re hoping to have other (subjects, speakers, program options) and stuff like that,” Legare added.
Some of these topics are set to include a presentation by the Moose Jaw Police Service covering fraud cases and scams that specifically target seniors, and Legare hopes to have another speaker to follow the lead of last year’s senior gentleman who spoke about his journey through life with a disability.
To learn more about seniors’ services offered by the provincial government, visit Saskatchewan.ca and search for “Seniors Services.” To learn about the UN’s International Day of Older Persons, visit UN.org/En/Observances/Older-Persons-Day.
For more information about the MJDSCA and its role in helping adults over the age of 55 remain social and active, visit MooseJawSeniors.ca or call the association at 306-694-4223.
The senior symposium will take place at the Timothy Eaton Gardens at 510 Main Street North.
