Almost half, 46 per cent, of Penticton’s population, is age 55 and older. That’s why this week, this city of Penticton is paying some gratitude to the community’s older adults.
Penticton is shining a light on a group of citizens as part of a week-long celebration leading up to International Day of Older Persons on Friday, Oct. 1.
This project highlights 12 older people, who together offer 835 years’ worth of wisdom and experience. They include athletes, community builders and coaches, and volunteers from organizations such as the Lions Club and South Okanagan Similkameen Crime Stoppers.
Their profiles will be shared publicly on visual displays throughout the community, through newspaper ads and on the city’s website at penticton.ca/celebrate-the-ages.
“By telling their stories, we celebrate them – and the many others like them – who make Penticton the fantastic place it is today,” said the city’s social development specialist, Adam Goodwin. “The purpose is to reduce the stigma and celebrate the amazing things people over age 55 are doing throughout our community.”
The project included partnerships with practicum students at the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s School of Health and Exercise Sciences and School of Social Work and several organizations throughout the community that provided data about their membership and connected practicum students with volunteers to complete profiles.
Here’s how active seniors are in Penticton:
Penticton Pounders Running Club has 68 members between the ages of 55 to 64 and 29 members over 65. The Nickel Plate Nordic Centre has 330 members ages 55 to 64 with 189 members who are 65 plus.
Penticton Dragon Boat has 80 members 55-64 and 160 who are 65 and older, the tennis club has 125 people who are 55 and older.
By the Numbers
The following Penticton statistics were taken from the Age-Friendly Action Plan:
Of the population 46 per cent is age 55 and older, with roughly one-third in each group: ages 55-64, ages 65-74, and ages 75 and older.
The majority of those age 65 and older are homeowners (80 per cent), with 24 per cent still carrying a mortgage and 19 per cent spending more than 30 per cent of their income on housing (considered unaffordable).
Of adults, 29 per cent aged 65 and older in Penticton live alone, and most of these are women.
READ ALSO: Trade food for fines at Penticton Library
To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.
<>@PentictonNews
newstips@pentictonwesternnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.