The Grande Prairie Area Council on Aging has launched a new website to align with their rebranding and make learning about their numerous programs easier.
Executive Director Tyla Savard says over the past year, the organization has been rebranding. This includes the creation of a logo for the organization, instead of just a logo for the different programs that have been done in the past and helps connect with the community.
“We actually have been very well known in our community for our two main programs. Our Seniors Outreach is how people know us, not as our organizational name, but as one of our programs. Then we are also known for our Meals on Wheels,” Savard says. “But, then we also do Elder Abuse Awareness and Support.”
The Snow Fairies program is another program that the Council on Aging facilitates. The program helps seniors clear their driveways and sidewalks in the wintertime. Yard Gnomes is a new program the Council on Aging has that helps cut grass and do seasonal yard work. Along with support programs, the council also holds socials twice a week to “make sure that they’re supported [and] gives them that engagement point and takes them out of isolation.”
“Because so many of them, once they retire, they sort of lose their social circles, and of course, everybody gets older, your social circles go down even further. And so yeah, we just want to be able to help create the vibrancy of having a social circle and helping them thrive.”
During the winter, Savard explains some of the things they teach the older generation how to use include websites, email and social media. She adds this will help seniors in the community not be so isolated, while still being able to engage and connect on those colder winter days.
“We do have a lot of information on our new website,” she states. “We have a way where you can connect with us to learn about our programming, learn more, just in general about our programming.”
As well, the new website has a spot answering commonly asked questions about the organization.