Welcome to June!

Here in Brantford, this month is an exciting month for seniors as our city has collaborated with many community agencies and organizations to create new and exciting programs and activities. Designed with seniors in mind, The City's Healthy Aging Passport program was launched on June 1st and includes over 100 free activities designed to support healthy aging. SKIP will be involved by continuing to promote "Buzz Me" a call service for seniors, which is celebrating one year in operation this month.

SKIP is proud to be a part of The City of Brantford's network of initiatives that support senior overall health and wellbeing. As we know, seniors live happier lives when all aspects of health are supported within their primary care teams and by the communities in which they live. Studies show that seniors who have access to resources that support not only physical health but emotional, psychological and social health live longer than those who do not have access to those supports.

In honour of senior's month, SKIP is issuing a challenge to members of the community who know a friend or loved one who is a senior. We challenge you to reach out to the senior on your life to let them know about all the wonderful activities that are being promoted by The City of Brantford this month. Doing so is an easy way to engage in conversation with that special senior in your life and to remind them that they are celebrated, supported and loved. We challenge you to reach out in love to offer acts of service to them this month and to show them you care.

Here are some examples of fun and remote ways to reach out to a senior you know:

1. Cut their grass

2. Bring them flowers

3. Write them a handwritten note or send them a thoughtful card

4. Call them or have a video conversation

5. Invite them to check out community activities

6. Offer to run an errand

7. Connect with caregivers to get familiar with their day to day needs

These small acts can have big impacts on our love ones and can be counted as an investment into our relationships with them. Encourage your children to do so as well. The list of ways you can reach out is endless and can give a lot of joy and hope to those we love. I have found that small acts of service not only impact the people we serve but have uplifting effects for me personally. So if you find that you could use a little joy and hope added to your life, try giving it away to someone else. I promise, the return on that investment produce rewards that cannot be counted.

For more information on the City of Brantford's Healthy Aging Passport, go to Brantford.ca/HealthyLiving or call 519-759-4150 for more information.

With love,

Tina