Last October overwhelming interest led to the formation of an elder care cooperative in the Cowichan Valley.
Now, community members are being asked to make their voices heard once again by sharing their ideas on the plan that has been created and make suggestions.
"Now it's time to once again bring together seniors, care providers and senior-service agencies to share the business idea and get more feedback," said Rob Douglas, the coop's president. "We've developed a solid plan of how to bring services to seniors, but we want to get their feedback, as well as from care providers, before finalizing a business plan and launching next spring."
The co-op's goal, and what local seniors are so eager to see, are support services that allow them to remain living in their homes. Such services could include companionship, house cleaning, meal preparation or home repairs, to name a few.
Since the initial meeting last fall to gage community interest, things have been moving fast. Federal funding has been secured, the Cowichan Elder Care Co-operative has been legally incorporated and a feasibility study has been developed.
"These consultations are the next important step, to make sure that the needs of both seniors and care providers are met in the co-op's plan," said Douglas.
The plan will be presented to all co-op members at the first annual general meeting on Oct. 24, beginning at 10 a.m. at St. John's Anglican Church in Duncan.
Leading up to that, the consultation meetings are scheduled Friday, Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the St. John's Anglican Church in Duncan, Friday, Sept. 26, 2-3:30 p.m., at the Mt. Brenton Golf Club in Chemainus, and Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Ladysmith Seniors Centre.
The consultations are being sponsored by Coastal Community Credit Union and Volunteer Cowichan.
For more information go to www.cecc. coop