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News Reporter deana@nsnews.com

AN interesting and dynamic community is made up of residents from different economic back- grounds, with varied ethnic heritages and perhaps, most importantly, in a range of ages.

Without the young, there is no future —— but without the old, there is no past. And it’s all too casy these days to forget about the contributions made to our community by our elders.

That’s why the United Nations General Assembly has pro- claimed 1999 International Year of the Older Person.

The purpose of the year, according to Penny Priddy, Minister Responsible for Seniors, is to encourage understanding among generations and to foster awareness around the world of the sig- nificant role seniors play in families, and in every aspect of com-

munity life. . . And it’s becoming increasingly important to foster that

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Visiting: Ontaric * Quebec * New Brunswick « PEL. °

awareness. The world’s population is aging rapidly. Over the next few years, the average lifespan worldwide will increase by almost 20 years.

At the same time, the proportion of older persons (detined by the United Nations as 60 and over) will increase from one in fourteen to one in four.

Canada’s senior population is among the fastest growing in the world. Comprising 12% of our current population, it will account tor close to 23% of all Canadians by the year 2041.

The purpose of B.C.’s participation in IY ‘OP is to help to dis- pel myths and reduce fear of aging, and to promote a more real- istic image of what it means to grow old.

The plan is, that throughout 1999, British Columbians will

find ways to celebrate the talents, achievements, and passions of

older persons in an effort to build a more caring society — which is why the theme for the International Year of Older Persons is “Canada, a society for all ages.”

The theme highlights the importance of intergenerational dialogue and cooperation on seniors’ issues, the need to involve

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seniors in decision making, and the recognition that seniors play an important role in Canadian society.

From the provincial Web site on TYOP (at <www.hith.gov.be.ca/ivepinfo>} here are a few of the events being held locally:

MARCH AND APRIL: Medication Inter-actions, Booklets & Cards. The North Shore Keep Well Society, at seven seniors’ sites in North and West Vancouver will offer senidrs a thorough discussion of medication interactions (preseription, over the counter and alternative) by cither a pharmacist or a medical doc- tor. In addition, each senior will be given a medication booklet, Knowledge is the Best Medicine, and a detailed medication record. Voluntcers will assist the seniors in illing ouc these records. and in keeping them current. For information, phone 986-5544, or send e-mail co: <yakpek@aol.com>.

MAY 10 TO 16: Across Canada it’s National Nursing Week,

See Nurses page 21

Witness the drama and splendor of autumn on the east coast. Join BCAA's 13th annual motorcoach tour sweeping

from Ontario to the Atlantic shores.

BCAA - Exclusive d

Sept 24, 26, 28,

1999

© 17 days/16 nights -

Nova Scotia

Prices are pot person, based on two sharing from Vancouver