Cheer Story: Town of Kipling Recognized for Age-Friendly Status

The Town of Kipling is receiving an award from the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism (SSM) to acknowledge their work on activities and programming to be more inclusive of seniors and older adults. An age-friendly community is designed to enable all residents to live safely, enjoy good health and stay involved.

Kipling was one of three (3) Saskatchewan communities recognized for their commitment to age-friendly principles through community engagement and action.

Kipling has offered many activities for older adults throughout the years, including, Forever Fit! classes provided by a Forever…in motion instructor, chair yoga for seniors, aquafit, afternoon curling, and numerous activities at the Kipling Friendship Club and Kipling Public Library.

“A few projects that have recently been completed with the ‘Age-Friendly’ intention have been Kipling’s Walking Trail to promote safety and enjoyment of walking, with ample rest areas to take breaks, and Kipling’s Downtown Park, this is a space for all ages to gather and enjoy a visit,” explains Susan Hengen, Leisure Services Manager.

Hengen explains, “Activities that bring older adults out into public spaces enrich the lives of those adults and contribute to a healthy and happy community. Many of the offered activities have a distinct social impact on the participants, which is paramount in countering social isolation.”

“Most of the activities aimed at getting our older adults involved were suggested by the older adult population through the Kipling Friendship Club, Quality of Life Survey (Town of Kipling), or through focus groups held throughout the community by the Kipling & District Age-Friendly Committee.”

“I would highly recommend going through the process necessary to become an accredited Age-Friendly Community. The process causes a community to evaluate their existing programs and services to create an Action Plan for mindful consideration of all ages in the community, with a special focus on older adults,” Hengen said.