The Saskatchewan Government, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism, announced their Age Friendly Recognition Program.

Age Friendly Committee Member, Hugh Lees

Member of Rosetown's Age Friendly Committee, Hugh Lees, reacted to the news of this program. "We're very pleased to see the province is recognizing it. I believe this is that the last province in Canada to recognize Age Friendly, so I think that's very positive. It kind of validates all the valuable work that community members and organizations have done to improve the quality of life for seniors."

Lees noted that the Age Friendly program improves the community for everyone, not just seniors, "It is very important. Age Friendly, although it is aimed at the older citizens of the town, it also works together with younger and older people. For example, we have a pen pal program started which partners some of the students in Walter Aseltine with some seniors... What it can do also, it can bring the concerns of seniors to the attention of the rest of the community and town council and things of that nature."

Once Rosetown's Committee gets all the details about the recognition program, they plan to apply for the plaque presented at the government's next Fall Legislative Assembly.

Read More: Sask. Plans to Recognize Age Friendly Communities

Rosetown established an Age Friendly Committee in 2016. Since then, the group has done some great things to improve the town, including getting automatic doors for the Rosetown Post Office and starting the inter-generational pen pal program.

Lees said they have a few projects they are working on for the summer, "We have sent letters to town about putting some railings on the bleachers at the sports ground, which would make it easier for the seniors to climb them and watch ball games." 

The group is also looking at having another barbecue sometime this summer, to bring awareness so people know what Age Friendly is.

Looking further ahead, Lees said, "We're also going to partner with the Lions Club in the fall for a country Christmas Concert, which is partially aimed at seniors. One of the keys of it is that we will offer transportation to anyone who needs a ride to get there."