Seniors in the Upper Skeena may soon have easier access to services like healthcare, groceries, and other essential services.
This week, the Province announced that the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine will get $25,000 to develop a transportation study focusing on improving transportation options for elderly residents.
As part of the Age-friendly Communities Program, the province is giving $500,000 across 26 communities in B.C. This program aims to help seniors stay active and connected to their communities.
The study will not only look at what age-friendly changes are needed but also analyze various transportation options and make a plan to prioritize actions that help elders in the Upper Skeena get the services they need.
“Funding plans and projects that focus on issues like health and wellness programming, emergency preparedness and climate resiliency means older adults are able to continue to live independently in their communities with deeper connections and inclusion,” said Susie Chant, parliamentary secretary for seniors’ services and long-term care.
The RDKS project is one of 15 grants given out through the planning stream of the project. This part of the program helps local and Indigenous governments figure out what their communities need and makes plans on how to tackle those needs.
The Province said transportation remains a significant challenge in many rural and remote communities, where long distances and limited transit options can make it difficult for seniors to access services and maintain social connections.
The Age-friendly Communities Program is delivered by BC Healthy Communities and funded by the provincial government.
According to the Province, nearly 20 per cent of people living in B.C. will be 65 or older by 2041.The program is designed to help communities prepare for that growing demographic by supporting projects that keep seniors independent and active in the community.
Work on the Upper Skeena Transportation Study is expected to begin in July and continue through June 2027.
