Much to the satisfaction of the community’s elderly, Jasper Community Outreach Services recently received approval for a new Senior’s outreach worker. This could prove to be a huge coup for the community, as there is a sizable, if not always visible seniors group in town who would greatly appreciate a paid helping hand. From what I understand, the worker will organize trips, co-ordinate events, provide assistance and access to new programming. 

Yes, the youth tend to grab the headlines and create a sizable demand (COS is also getting a new youth outreach worker), but seniors have their own special requirements. 

Judging by the vocal contingent of the town’s elder residents, the town has had varied success with its senior outreach co-ordinators over the years. They are a tough crowd to please, and don’t suffer fools kindly, so the new staffer faces a big task. Keeping up with Fred Kofin and Janet Barker will be difficult enough.

So in order to give the new employee a hand up (We’re big on free advice, wanted or unwanted at the Fitzhugh), I offer a suggestion.

The idea is not my own, but borrowed from La Belle Province, where a group of seniors in Montreal, sick of the same bloody museum trip every year, decided to try something different.

They asked to hit the pub. 

Each year, a group of seniors are willingly loaded into the back of the police van and escorted by retired police officers to many of the town’s historic and colourful bars. Some in walkers, others in wheelchairs, they make the rounds on a quiet afternoon, revisiting past stomping grounds, swapping massive stories and other lies, and a drink before they are loaded back into the paddy wagon and taken to the next establishment. 

There’s no reason this program couldn’t work in Jasper. There’s a reason for this community’s party town reputation, which traces its way back to of some of this town’s seniors. There are stories in those lined faces, which teach us not to pigeon-hole our valuable community members. A few drinks will help them come out.

Allowing seniors to access some of these spots in a safe fashion does no harm, and may help some of the town’s younger folk get a chance to relate to the seniors.

Give our seniors a break from the tired watercolour classes and bingo games. Let them hit the pub.

DISCLAIMER: The Last Word is an opinion column, it is meant to provoke thought and debate. As such, any opinions written here are the writers own and do not reflect the viewpoint of any other Fitzhugh staff member or the directors of the Jasper Media Group Inc.