B.C.'s Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie is seeking applicants for a council of advisers on seniors' issues.
The council, made up of 25-30 volunteer seniors from around the province, will represent diverse backgrounds, ages, geographical areas and cultures.
"I am seeking the voice of seniors from a wide range of communities and experiences," said Mackenzie. "Their opinions matter in recommending change as we move forward."
The selection committee is seeking representation from seniors all along the health care continuum from completely independent and active seniors to those requiring care, including the voices of seniors who speak for themselves through a proxy (family caregiver, spouse or child).
The council will bring forward issues and concerns from their communities and from their own experience. They will also review projects, reports, communication materials and recommendations developed by the office of the seniors advocate.
Selection criteria were developed in collaboration with the Council of Senior Citizens' Organizations of B.C. (COSCO), and COSCO will make the final recommendations for the council member appointments. COSCO is an umbrella organization made up of seniors' organizations and individual members.
"COSCO represents seniors from every area in B.C.," Mackenzie stated. "Their experience and perspective will help determine the most wide-ranging composition of the council."
The council will meet four times per year, by phone or in person. Advisers are expected to be able to travel to the lower mainland of B.C., read material in English, and use a
computer, alone or with assistance.
Interested seniors are requested to fill out an application and submit it by Dec. 18.
The council will be announced in February 2015.
Advisers' terms will initially be one to three years, with three year terms for future appointments.
Learn more: Application form and details are on www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca. Seniors can phone 1-877-952-3181 (250-952-3181 in Victoria) or email info@seniorsadvocatebc.ca for more information.
Read about the Council of Senior Citizens' Organizations of B.C. at coscobc.ca