une is Seniors' Month and this June, the Council on Aging, Ottawa-Carleton celebrates 25 years of dedication to enhancing the quality of life for all seniors in the region. The Council came into being in 1975, the foresight of leading community agencies and individuals. It is time to recognize the valuable legacy of former presidents, volunteers, executive directors and staff.
The early years focussed on establishing the Council as a voluntary, non-profit organization. It began as an arm of the Social Planning Council. The first staffer was hired in April, 1975, the only paid staffer until 1980.
In 1978, the Council received funding for the first time from the United Way. In 1981, it received funding from the Ministry of Community & Social Services. A year later, it began receiving an Elderly Persons Centre grant, including a municipal contribution.
Early committees focussed on education, health, housing, recreation, social services, transportation and Francophone concerns. From mid the '80s to the early '90s, work centered on conducting community needs assessments, advocacy activities and service development projects.
Working groups and committees reported on mental health, community support services, long-term care, housing, francophone services, economics and demographics. The Council also created guides to long-term care, retirement facilities and consumer information on medication awareness and elder abuse.
From the mid '90s to the present, the Council experienced turbulent times. New avenues for survival were developed in fundraising, membership and Friends of the Council. Despite staff cuts and relocation, the Council completed projects and advocacy work on healthy lifestyles, hospital discharge planning, adult day care and community support services, visiting, self advocacy, aging in place, aging, an in and out-of-hospital guides for seniors. Several community forums were held, most recently on home care and regulation of retirement residences.
Demographics tell us the Council on Aging will be needed more than ever as we enter the next millennium. Seniors will need a strong voice to speak out on their issues to the public and to governments at all levels. This requires participation of volunteers and members who give time, financial help and expertise to the Council. For more information, call 789-3577.