October 1: International Day of Older Persons
The International Day of Older Persons has been celebrated every year on October 1st since the United Nations General Assembly voted to create it in 1990. This event aims to raise public awareness of issues affecting older persons and to recognize their important contribution to the development of our society.
Today, let’s celebrate our seniors around us! One special attention, one thought, one word can make all the difference.
In addition to aging, seniors may unfortunately have to face several difficulties, such as loneliness, financial worries, loss of autonomy, bereavement, abuse, and even psychological distress. This is why they need the support of the entire community of which they are a part.
In Sutton, several services are offered to seniors:
- The Centre d’action bénévole (CAB) coordinates several services, including Meals on Wheels, the Café 50+ and the Bottin des aînés, which lists all the local resources available to them;
- The Club FADOQ Deux-Monts (Sutton-Abercorn) also organizes many activities;
- The Université du troisième âge (UTA) de Sherbrooke, Brome-Missisquoi branch, offers two sessions of courses (in French only) each year on various subjects of interest in Cowansville and possibly in Sutton.
Since 2012, the Town of Sutton has been recognized as an “Age-Friendly Municipality” by the Secrétariat aux aînés of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux for the quality of its approach in favour of active aging. Its Family and Senior Policy, which is currently being updated, aims to implement concrete actions in favour of seniors in our community.