Amherst
Six weeks of senior safety got underway in the border community and week-one kicked off with what’s always a crowd pleaser.
This year’s academy, a partnership between the Cumberland County Senior Safety Program and its many partners, saw the YMCA gives tips and tricks on remaining active in the golden years before handing the floor over to members of the Amherst Police Department to discuss the equipment they use, emerging trends in crime and a Taser demo followed by letting one senior chosen at random to fire the Taser at a target.
Coordinated by Cumberland County’s Senior Safety Program Coordinator Ray Bristol, the academies average upwards of 40 participants. Currently in Amherst, participants spend one morning each week learning about the services available to them. From power of attorney and wills to cooking classes and Internet safety, the academies are an opportunity to socialize and engage with the community, Bristol says.
“We have talks about economical nutritional eating, we cover everything from chiropractic services to anything that’s of interest to seniors. That could include ukulele classes – anything that involves the physical and mental wellbeing on seniors.”
Funded through the Nova Scotia Dept. of Seniors, Town of Amherst and Municipality of Cumberland County, the Seniors Safety Programs also has partners with the Nova Scotia Health Authority and a number of other local agencies. Free academies are offered in Amherst in the autumn, Oxford in the winter, Springhill in the Spring and new to 2018 with be a spring session in Pugwash.
The academies are just one aspect of the safety program, but for the next five weeks will be the most prevalent. There is no registration or fees to attend.
Taking place at Furlong-Jones Funeral and Cremation Services at 70 Church St., Amherst, the sessions are Wednesday mornings, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The current presentation schedule is:
• Oct. 18 – Communities Addressing Suicide Together [CAST] and Tai Kwan Do demonstration
• Oct. 25 – Fire department appreciation day and equipment demo
• Nov. 1 – Economical and nutritious eating, and cooking class
• Nov. 8 – power of attorney and will, pre-arranged funerals
• Nov. 15 – Tantramar Seniors College, Internet Safety
To learn more about the Senior Safety Academy, contact Bristol at 902-667-7484 or visit their Facebook page online at www.facebook.com/ccseniorssafety.
