Tuesday, October 1 is National Seniors Day in Canada! This is a day to celebrate and appreciate older adults in our community. Kitchener Public Library is proud to be a space that welcomes people of all ages, including our older adult friends.
In February 2023, Kitchener Public Library formed an Older Adults Advisory Group (OAAG) to help create more inclusive library services. This group is made up of five older adults who provide feedback to help us provide better service to this valuable part of our community. The members of the team are David, Georgina, Brenda, Elena and Mary (not pictured.)
“It’s just as important for older adults to be involved, engaged and to have access to connections in the community,” Georgina said.
Brenda agreed, “We like to be part of something and have a reason to go out. Sometimes it can be isolating to be a senior on your own.”
The OAAG has been hard at work to help us make better connections with older adults. They’ve provided feedback at many of our locations and shared suggestions for our upcoming strategic plan. This group also gave feedback on the Government of Canada’s New Horizons Grant for Seniors. Their advice helped us launch We Belong – Introduction to Photography for Newcomer Seniors.
“Older adults bring experiences and knowledge to the community,” Mary shared. “They are the transition from the past, to now and the future.”
Members of the OAAG are proud of the open conversation they’ve been able to have with library staff. They’ve appreciated learning more about Kitchener Public Library, and we’ve appreciated the wisdom that they’ve offered.
When asked what message they’d like to share, the OAAG wanted to remind people that older adults are still robust and energetic. Older adults make up a large percentage of volunteers across local organizations. Many older adults are still active and looking for ways to give back in our community.
The OAAG also talked about the importance of patience. No matter your age, sometimes people need to slow down and take more time to process new ideas. It’s important to take the time to make sure everyone feels welcome and heard.
“When people look at the world through an older adult lens, everyone wins,” David said. “If it works for me, it’ll work for more vulnerable adults, the mom who is pushing a carriage across the street and someone with a disability.”
Take time today, and every day, to appreciate the older adults in your life and the positive impact they make on our community!