The Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors is the fortunate and grateful recipient of a very generous grant from the Creston-Kootenay Foundation. Staff members were presented with a cheque at the grand soiree on June 11.
Many seniors are not receiving adequate nutrition because of the inability to prepare healthy, affordable meals. This may be because of isolation, poor mobility, poor eyesight, lack of transportation, low income or a host of other reasons. The consequences of poor nutrition are all negative — poor physical health, low immunity to illness, increased medical costs and reduced independence. With this grant, TAPS will be able to develop and operate a program that supplies nutritious meals to seniors.
TAPS already receives donations of fruit and vegetables from the community greenhouse, Harvest Share, and local gardens and orchards. This healthy food will be used in the preparation of meals that will be packaged, taken home and used later. The other important aspect of this project is that seniors will help prepare and package the meals. Being productive and independent are behaviours that seniors are familiar with; it is how they grew up and want to be.
The Creston-Kootenay Foundation is essential to the operation of groups like TAPS and many others. Evenings like the grand soiree give us the opportunity to see and hear about the positive impact it has had on our community. It is now our own responsibility to support the Creston-Kootenay Foundation to continue its work. Donations invested in a perpetual fund can be used in the community at the discretion of the directors of CKF or can be designated to be used by an organization of the donor’s choice. Improved efficiency and effectiveness are added benefits.
TAPS is grateful to the Creston-Kootenay Foundation and to our generous community for helping to keep seniors healthy and independent.
Terry Nowak is an outreach worker with the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors.