Every month the Advance gives the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors (TAPS) the opportunity to keep our community up to date with the activities at TAPS, all the things that keep our seniors healthy, happy and connected to their community. But do you know the history of TAPS? Do you know why Creston is the only community in the Kootenays that still has a TAPS program? This history is important because it reflects what really happens in our valley, the partnerships that are so necessary, how we look after the things that are important, how we treat each other.
TAPS was funded in the community from 1991 to 2005 by the Interior Health Authority. In 2005-2006 the health authority helped transition the program to the community. It was the desire of the program members and the community that this valuable program continue. TAPS needed a community organization to administer the program.
The Creston and District Com-munity Resource Centre Society (CDCRCS) is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to the provision of accessible, community-based services to enhance the wellbeing and social development of children, individuals, and families in the Creston area. This mandate is served by operating 24 programs for children, adults and seniors. TAPS fit this mandate and the entire TAPS program was permanently transferred on March 22, 2006, to CDCRCS. Approximately 70 volunteers under the direction of Alex Nilsson renovated space for the program in the Kinsmen Park building.
What is TAPS now? The program is now being sustained financially by grants, donations, fundraising support groups and by the members themselves with pie and craft sales. The annual cost of the program is approximately $187,000, and 65 seniors whose average age is 87 years participate. A broad range of activities from Tai Chi to bingo and woodworking to educational workshops are offered. Seniors renew old acquaintances, find new friends, support each other, and improve their health, their independence and their emotional well-being. TAPS also provides precious respite time to family caregivers while their loved one is at TAPS. Approximately 70 volunteers wash dishes, run craft programs and most importantly spend time talking with our seniors. TAPS provides a sense of belonging and purpose for the seniors and volunteers alike.
TAPS is part of an intergenerational gardening project where families and seniors get together at the Community Greenhouse to learn and teach each other about gardening. The College of the Rockies Community Greenhouse staff have been wonderfully generous and supportive of TAPS and the Family Place. This program has huge benefits for all the participants. A thank you also to the volunteers whose work bee built a garden at TAPS. We are looking forward to bringing the transplants from the greenhouse home.
What is in the future? While TAPS has grown, so has our parent agency. The community resource centre has been a victim of its own success. This agency has outgrown its current location and is looking for a new home for the programs it has and the programs it plans to have. If you would like to contribute to the dream of an expanded community resource centre, please consider a tax deductible, charitable donation to help fund a permanent location. Donations can be made to the community resource centre, Box 187, Creston, BC, V0B 1G0. We thank everyone for their support helping us deliver programs to this wonderful community.
Does this story sound familiar? It should, because it is the way this community functions. Thank you, Creston.
Terry Nowak is an outreach worker with the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors.