Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover announced a provincial committee today to lead the International Year of Older Persons in Prince Edward Island in 1999.
The year was proclaimed by the United Nations to appreciate the contributions that older persons make to society. The theme for the year is "towards a society for all ages" which reflects the goal to increase public awareness of the important role that older persons play in all walks of life.
The Chair of the PEI planning committee is Anna Duffy of Fort Augustus. Mrs. Duffy received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from UPEI in 1990 and, along with her husband Charlie, received the Islander of the Year award in 1984. She has many years experience in School Board activities, church and community organizations. The mother of ten children, she continues to assist in the operation of the family farm in Fort Augustus.
Other committee members include: Heather Henry-MacDonald of Charlottetown; Leonard O'Connor, Souris; George Steiger, Murray River; Jodi Swan, Charlottetown; Gary Naylor, Summerside; Jean Dewar, O'Leary; Helen McCabe, Cornwall; Claude Bell, Charlottetown; and Margaret Quinn, Cardigan.
Minister Dover said the committee was selected to represent the interests and diversity of seniors across Prince Edward Island. "With such tremendous depth in experience and leadership ability," she said, "I am excited about the opportunities that the year will provide to dispel many myths about seniors, and enable us to recognize and celebrate together their contributions as healthy, active members of society."
The Minister indicated that the year will be kicked off in late 1998. The role of the committee is to identify priorities and develop an overall plan. Some of the areas they will likely be looking at, she said, "will include ways for families and communities to honour their older members; ways to increase public awareness that most seniors are healthy, active individuals and moderate consumers of health care; and ways to increase our understanding of the aging process and promote healthy aging in Island communities."
Minister Dover asked individuals and organizations to begin thinking now about how they can work for older persons and with older persons to make positive changes during the International Year of Older Persons.