55 Plus Blog;
We will post news that is relevant to our membership here.
Are you interested in being a part of a research study that is examining ageism across the adult lifespan? Findings from this research will be used to develop an awareness campaign that challenges the more negative representations of aging throughout the adult lifespan and promote societal resistance to ageism. For details, click the button below!
Aging Across the Life Span Research Survey
The Manitoba government is creating a new $12.6-million grant program that will assist eligible older Manitobans experiencing hearing loss to cover the expense of testing, fitting and purchasing new hearing aids, Seniors and Long-term Care Minister Scott Johnston announced today.
“Our government recognizes hearing loss as priority concern for seniors and with this grant more Manitoba seniors who require hearing aids will have the financial means to access them regardless of income level,” said Johnston. “Hearing aids provide valuable benefits to improve quality of life in a number of important ways such as fully participating with family, friends and co-workers, while also avoiding the isolation that can be associated with hearing loss.”
According to Department of Health statistics, nearly 4,000 seniors over the age of 65 reported hearing loss during a physician visit in 2021 and roughly 25 per cent of seniors have hearing loss at a level that would benefit from hearing aid use.
The hearing aid grant of up to $2,000 is available to all Manitobans who meet the following eligibility criteria:
“For those who are hearing impaired something as simple as a hearing aid can make all the difference in quality of life,” said Susan Sader, executive director, Good Neighbours Active Living Centre. “The Manitoba government is to be commended for listening to Manitobans who struggle with hearing loss and for providing a program that will help many stay active and engaged in the community.”
Untreated hearing loss is linked with decreased word recognition, difficulty communicating, increased risk of falls, social isolation, cognitive decline and dementia.
“We have received many heartbreaking emails and phone calls from seniors or their caregivers asking for help because they need hearing aids but could not afford them,” said Jo-anne Jones, president, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association Manitoba Chapter. “This new grant is a great step in ensuring many more Manitoba seniors will have the hearing aids they need and better healthier lifestyles as a result.”
The Manitoba government will begin accepting applications later this spring.
The new program aligns with strategic priorities including financial security and safe, inclusive and accessible communities, which are highlighted in Manitoba, A Great Place to Age: Provincial Seniors Strategy.
The ideaMILL makerspace is located on the 3rd floor of the Millennium Library and offers community access to new and emerging technologies in a collaborative space.
A Makerspace is a place in which people with shared interests can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge.
In the ideaMILL you'll be able to access:
For more information go to: https://wpl.winnipeg.ca/library/ideamill/introduction.stm
As you may know, the UM is in the initial phase of developing a new university strategic plan, which includes extensive consultation with various groups and members of the UM community. As part of the consultation process, we are encouraging faculty, staff, and students to share their voices and provide feedback as to which direction they would like to see UM move forward under the next plan.
A series of community consultation sessions have been scheduled with the aim of providing individuals with multiple options and spaces to share their feedback. We would like to bring your attention to the following community session, should you wish to participate and have not yet had the opportunity or found the space to do so.
Age-Friendly University Forum Thursday, March 2, 2023 | 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom Session Facilitators: Dr. Michelle Porter, Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, Director of the Centre for Aging
To register for this session, please visit the online registration form and select ‘University communities and committees’.
For a list of other sessions or to provide your feedback using the online feedback form, please visit the UM strategic plan website.
Some people experience health issues and changes as they age that require more supports than can be provided in the community. Join us to discuss some of the more supported housing options in the community (55+ Independent Living apartments, Assisted Living apartments) and programs that are available through the Long Term Care program (Supportive Housing, and Long Term Care) for people that need options where 24/7 supervision or care is needed.
REGISTER
Every week in the news, and through stories shared around the dinner table, we hear about the ongoing struggles of Manitobans to secure home care and respite services for themselves and for their loved ones.
Manitoba Possible, a non-profit serving our community for over 70 years, is committed to advocating for and supporting people who need respite and home care.
We are seeking your help to spread awareness about Care Possible, our new web-based platform at www.carepossible.ca. We believe this new tool is the right solution to connect Manitobans who need home care and respite with verified care providers.
Since our soft launch of Care Possible in October, we’ve onboarded more than 470 care providers looking for home care and respite work throughout Manitoba. And we are getting wonderful feedback from our clients:
It has been a challenging process to find a reliable caregiver… Then I heard about Care Possible. I created a profile...Within one month I found a great person who fits our needs. It is great that Care Possible is getting their care providers to obtain the required security screening. Once you find suitable people on the platform you can interview them and see whether they are the right fit. The platform is very easy to use when it comes to making a profile and finding the right person. I am glad that we were able to find someone through this service...I would recommend Care Possible for your family's needs.
Self and family-managed home care puts people in control of their own care plan.
Click on the image below to view a 4 page document. This service has the potential to help isolated and remote individuals as well as address the physician shortages in our province...
Cyber-Seniors will begin our next Dementia Awareness 6-part series on Tuesday, February 21st. Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Dementia Awareness Resources and Training against Stigma (DARTS) program is a six part education series aimed at providing education on the signs, symptoms and risk factors for dementia. Sessions run Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 PM EST.
Register for Series Seven: Feb 21 - Mar 9
This series is open to anyone interested in learning more about Dementia risk. Whether you are seeking information for yourself, or a caregiver seeking to information to help a loved one! If you have already attended the series, consider passing along this invitation along to others.
Accessible Transportation Standard Regulation 60-Day Public Consultation
Whether you are a person with a disability, a community organization, a municipality, or a transportation provider (or other person/organization), we want your feedback.
The Accessible Transportation Standard Regulation is the fourth of five standards under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA). The AMA sets out a path to remove, reduce and prevent barriers through the development of accessibility standards in five fundamental areas of daily living.
In 2020, the Accessibility Advisory Council (Council) made their recommendations on an Accessible Transportation Standard to the Minister of Families. In developing their recommendations, the Council sought advice from a standard development committee, as well as comments from the public and community disability organizations.
The Manitoba government is pleased to present its draft Accessible Transportation Standard Regulation for public feedback, based on recommendations from the Council.
You can read the draft standard and FAQ’s at the Manitoba Regulatory Consultation Portal.
Provide Your Feedback
EngageMB
Visit the EngageMB website for an opportunity to provide feedback on the new Accessibility Transportation Standard.
The Manitoba Accessibility Office is hosting a Zoom webinar on March 22nd, 2023, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. to hear your feedback on the proposed Accessible Transportation Standard.
The webinar will provide an overview of the standard and offer the opportunity to provide your perspective and ask questions.
ASL interpretation and close captioning will be available during the webinar and a recording will be available to those unable to participate in real-time on the AccessibilityMB.ca website.
Click the Zoom link to join the webinar on March 22nd, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. CST.
Submissions on the Accessible Transportation Standard are welcome until: April 9, 2023.
We’re interested in hearing from all Manitobans, including people with disabilities, persons with long-term health conditions or illness, seniors, caregivers, family, friends, and natural supports and others interested in this area. It helps us plan for future initiatives, such as public awareness campaigns and targeted educational and compliance activities. Use the story tool on EngageMB or email your story to MAO@gov.mb.ca.
If you have any questions, require this information in an alternate format, or would prefer to provide your comments by phone, email or mail, please contact the Manitoba Accessibility Office (formerly the Disabilities Issues Office):
Manitoba Accessibility Office
630 - 240 Graham Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3C 0J7
Phone: 204-945-7613, Toll-free: 1-800-282-8069, Ext. 7613
Email: MAO@gov.mb.ca (External link)
Thank you.
Families Department
Province of Manitoba
630 – 240 Graham Avenue
Tel: 204-945-7613 / Fax: 204-948-2896
Email: MAO@gov.mb.ca
www.AccessibilityMB.ca
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Archwood 55 Plus Inc is a non-profit organization serving seniors 55 plus located at 565 Guilbault Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R2J 0R2
