Virtual Seniors forum to celebrate resilience and provide seniors with resources
For several years, hundreds of seniors have gathered in the fall to attend the annual Seniors’ Housing Forum and Seniors’ Health and Wellness Forum. The Forums, sponsored by Age Friendly Edmonton and organized by Sage Seniors Association, offer valuable information and resources on a wide variety of topics related to aging well in the community.
This year, the Forum will look a little different — but nothing has really changed.
“Because of public health guidelines preventing large gatherings, we’re combining the Health & Wellness Forum and Housing Forum into a single event: The Virtual Seniors Forum, which will take place online and by phone November 18-21,” says Nicole Smith, Director of Research and Community Engagement at Sage. “So, in that way, it will look very different from previous Forums. In another, more important way, though, the Forum will still be exactly what people want and are expecting.”
Presenting the Forum virtually was a decision born out of necessity as a result of the ongoing pandemic, but the format has its advantages. “One great thing about the virtual format is that we’re not limited by physical space,” notes Smith. “We’ ll be able to reach a wider geographic audience and extend the event from one to four days, which has allowed us to be more creative in our approach and offer sessions we wouldn’t be able to otherwise.”
Sessions will be led by engaging, knowledgeable presenters addressing issues and topics that are important to seniors across the province. The format will include a mix of information sessions, creative performances, and interactive presentations. Topics include how seniors plan to take care of their physical and mental health (particularly now, during the pandemic), where seniors plan to live as they age, how they plan to get around, how they will afford to live after retirement, how they plan to stay connected and safe, and how they will access necessary services and supports. A number of creative and artsbased sessions are planned as well, to give people the chance to connect and have a little fun.
“The Forums are always about providing information,” says Smith. “But this year, we also want to celebrate a little. We have seen so many seniors finding creative ways to adapt during this pandemic — connecting with each other in ways they never have before and reaching out to help others in their communities. We want to acknowledge that and celebrate it.”
One of the ways seniors are connecting is online, but many don’t have access to a computer or smart phone, so Sage is making sure that all of the sessions are available by landline. People will be able to call in or log into the same session, and steps are being taken to make sure everyone is included.
Sage has been offering different classes and programs online since June, and the call-in/log-in format has been very successful. The biggest difference for participants is that the people who call in need to have a printed version of the materials mailed to them. People who plan to attend the Forum by phone can call 780-701-9020 to request a printed copy of the program, which will be mailed out about a week before the Forum starts.
The program for the Forum can also be found online at www.seniorsforum.ca. For more information about the Forum, visit the website or call 780-701-9020.