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Tips from TAPS: Kokanee Ford helps Creston seniors program stay mobile

Kokanee Ford makes purchase of van possible for Creston seniors program, says community liaison Maureen Cameron...
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Maureen Cameron is the community liaison co-ordinator for the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors.

Most of us take our ability to go where we want and when we want for granted. For seniors with challenges to independent living, transportation services have been integral to the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors since its inception. Distance and/or mobility challenges make it almost impossible for some people to participate in their community. As we age, our ability to drive is often compromised; this happens for a variety of reasons, including not having a licence or losing someone who was previously depended on to provide transportation. These factors affect our ability to get to and from activities and events. The local taxi service, BC Transit and Better at Home volunteers all help meet transportation needs of seniors. For some seniors, their family, caregivers and friends help them get around. Yet the diverse needs of our 60-plus seniors at TAPS go beyond the capability of these available services on an ongoing basis.

Our two TAPS buses have served us well and the program’s ability to meet the needs of our participants was compromised when one of our buses met its demise. We now recognize the unpredictability of the other bus remaining, our Patti Wagon (named in honour of Patt Robicheau who was a driving force with Krafty Kronys). Thanks to Jim Daniels, our volunteer “maintenance king”, who has worked diligently to keep the buses running over the years! This current interruption has put undue stress on seniors and the staff as they attempt to maintain the schedule of picking up and taking folks home and around the community to events and other services.

The original purchase of the two used buses was made possible by the stellar efforts of the Krafty Kronys, a group of women who have been fundraising for TAPS since 2005 and continue to this day through sales of their handcrafted items and volunteer hours.

So, fast-forward to today, and you’ll see the new kid on the block: a shiny Ford Transit Connect van parked beside the Patti Wagon at Rotacrest Hall. Again, thanks to the Krafty Kronys vehicle fund plus an estate bequest, which made this timely purchase possible.

We also want to recognize the generosity of both Mike Daybell and Kokanee Ford in working with Valley Community Services and thank them for their financial donations allowing us to afford this vehicle as part of a long-term plan to continue providing transportation for our seniors. As well as serving the needs for our seniors program, this investment in a new vehicle reduces our maintenance and operating costs, which moves us towards our goal of financial sustainability for the TAPS program.

Daybell and Darrell Kemle said, “Thank you again for buying locally. We were very happy to be able to assist and provide a vehicle solution that works for TAPS.”

“Living Well” is a yearlong program under our theme of active aging for TAPS and community participants. Funded under a United Way grant, the first six-week session began in early July. The twice a week focus has been on physical well-being and included some fun with chair line dancing and walking trips. The topics may sound serious, but we think having fun and offering enjoyable experiences cannot be underestimated in how these activities can contribute to our well-being, especially when done with others.

For anyone wanting more information on the “Living Well” program and how to participate in these sessions, please contact TAPS at 250-328-5585. Specific topics, guest speakers, information and activities will address a wide range of what living well for seniors means.

Maureen Cameron is the community liaison development co-ordinator for the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors. For more information on TAPS, run by Valley Community Services, call 250-428-5585.