Will 2014 really be a Happy New Year?
Will the Vancouver Canucks win the Stanley Cup?
Will the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl?
Will Prime Minister Stephen Harper retire as some political pundits are already predicting?
Which of your New Year’s Resolutions can you actually accomplish?
Will Canadians feel less cash-strapped, especially those aged 55 and older, according to a Sun Life Financial survey done by Ipsos Reid?
Will B.C.’s child poverty rate, the highest in the country, start improving next year?
Will politicians think before they speak and stop putting foot in mouth?
Where in the world will the next natural disaster strike?
Will age discrimination be addressed? When do people become too old?
Will a long-term housing plan be developed by all orders of government and the private sector to address the near-crisis situation in this country due to rising housing costs?
What will become the new hot social media network topping Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn?
Which Mayors will be replaced in local government elections in the fall of 2014 in Ontario and B.C.? Will Toronto remain Ford Country?
Will Don Cherry and his colorful, flamboyant jackets finally be replaced on hockey broadcasts?
So many questions can be asked as we start another year, remembering to be grateful that we live where we do, given the world’s calamities we saw in 2013.
These and many more questions will probably go unanswered as we start a new year, but as long as the average citizen keeps asking and shows concern for others, some progress might be made.
Twenty six communities throughout B.C. will receive Age-Friendly Grants in 2014 to support a variety of projects designed to help older adults stay mobile, physically active and healthy. Each approved project reflects the vision of an age-friendly British Columbia, in which older people are supported to live active, socially engaged and independent lives, according to Health Minister Terry Lake.
Close to $500,000 will be awarded in this program. The new projects address the three provincial priorities for seniors: elder abuse prevention, dementia care and non-medical home support.
Projects include Addressing Aging in Rural Communities in the Fraser Valley Regional District, an Age-Friendly Plan for Harrison Hot Springs, Planning for an Age-Friendly Richmond, and an Age-Friendly Community Assessment of Port Moody. Each gets the maximum grant of $20,000.
Tips for a better year:
*Don’t waste your time arguing about something that is trivial.
*If you find yourself losing your temper with someone, just turn and walk away.
*If your “common sense” tingles and you think you are right, follow your ideas.
*Accidents will happen but do your best to prevent them by being cautious.
*Be careful with your money matters and guard your wealth. Make sure you are not being taken advantage of by others but help the less fortunate.
*Take care of your health first. All the money in the world will not find a cure to what ails you. It never has.
Have a happy and healthy New Year!