June 3, 2011
Province Expands SafetyAid Program
– – –Rondeau Leads First Age-Friendly Walk
The province will expand SafetyAid, a home safety and falls-prevention program for seniors living independently in their own homes, Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau and Justice Minister Andrew Swan announced today.
“This program is an important part of our Age-Friendly Initiative, and it is another example of our government’s commitment to supporting low-income seniors and building age-friendly communities,” said Rondeau. “We are pleased to be expanding the program to the south-central and southwestern areas of the province.”
SafetyAid began in 2003 and last year provided services to more than 1,000 homes and apartments across Manitoba. As part of the program, two-person SafetyAid teams visit seniors’ homes to conduct home-safety audits. In addition to a personal examination of the exterior and interior of the homes, income-qualified seniors are provided with free home-safety and falls-prevention devices, usually on the same day. Seniors who have been the victims of home invasion or break and enter receive priority.
“Safety Aid is a successful crime prevention initiative that helps seniors to feel safer and more secure in their homes,” said Swan. “It’s an important component of Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy and it demonstrates our commitment to supporting low-income seniors so they can remain in their homes and community with greater piece of mind.”
Rondeau and Swan made the announcement on the final day of Manitoba’s first Age-Friendly Week. Other announcements during the week included:
- property tax credits for seniors;
- tax credits for caregivers, many of whom are over 65 years of age;
- a $10-million, 150-unit request for proposals for seniors housing;
- establishment of age-friendly milestones for age-friendly communities;
- an award to Portage la Prairie for being the most age-friendly community in the province;
- development of new public-information resources that focus on identifying and preventing financial abuse among older Manitobans; and
- building respectful relationships between seniors and youth through education on aging and creating opportunities for children, youth and older adults to interact on an ongoing basis.
At an event today celebrating Age-Friendly Week, Rondeau led a group of seniors on the first Age‑Friendly Community Walk to draw attention to the importance of physical activity for everyone. Rondeau noted that walking is a valuable, low-cost fitness activity that provides important health benefits, whether you’re eight or 80.
The minister added that Saturday is International Trails Day and encouraged Manitobans of all ages to experience more than 1,000 kilometres of beautiful trails across Manitoba.
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