D EVELOPING AN A GE - F RIENDLY C OMMUNITY IN S HUNIAH Launching our Age-Friendly Community Steering Committee

A GENDA Introductions Document circulation What is an age-friendly community? Why is age-friendly important? What have other places accomplished? Purpose of a steering committee Milestones to achieve Goal of needs assessment? Strengths activity Determine roles Next Meeting

I NTRODUCTIONS 1. Why did you join this committee? 2. What expectations do you have? 3. What do you hope to accomplish through your involvement with this committee?

D OCUMENT C IRCULATION This folder will be present at every meeting Includes the following: Resources Recent articles Documents or information relevant to our current age-friendly step Notices of events Documents put out by Shuniah

W HAT IS AN A GE -F RIENDLY C OMMUNITY “An age-friendly community is one where policies, services and structures related to the physical and social environments are designed to support and enable older people to live in a secure environment, enjoy good health and, continue to participate fully in their communities (Willison, 2016).” This creates an environment that respects the decisions and lifestyle choices of aging adults and allows them the ability to age- in-place.

E SSENTIAL D IMENSIONS OF A GE - FRIENDLY C OMMUNITY Physical Environment: Outdoor spaces and buildings Transportation Housing Social Environment: Social participation Respect and social inclusion Civic participation and employment Communication and information Community and health services Source: County of Simcoe

W HY A GE -F RIENDLY ? In 2006, 35.5% of people were 55+ and 19.6% was 65+. In 2011, these numbers increased 7.6% and 2.4%, respectively. As of 2011, 43.1% of our community is 55 and over. Population tread is expected to increase as more families and individuals retire in Shuniah. Must be proactive and respond to demographic changes to ensure the community is equipped to accommodate the needs of an actively aging community.

W HY IS AN AGE - FRIENDLY COMMUNITY IMPORTANT ? Adopting an age-friendly approach means the needs of older adults and seniors will be considered in the development and implementation of municipal policies, programs, and services. If priorities are not defined, communities with a high number of seniors will be at greater risk of: poorer health outcomes, augmented poverty levels, lack of sustainable housing, and accessibility and transportation needs will likely not be met. It is an opportunity to build community partnerships to help address the needs of our aging rural community Source: County of Simcoe

S TRATEGIC P LAN O UTCOMES 66% of 119 residents who completed the survey were % expressed it was important to provide supports to aging residents 43% expressed it was important to offer senior housing to residents 75% expressed it was important that Mackenzie school remains open 85% expressed it was important to maintain current services without increasing taxes Threat to community: “Aging population with little or no services/programs for aging-in-place within municipality” Priority: “Increase services and supports for seniors to age in the community”

W HAT HAVE OTHER PLACES DONE ? City of Thunder Bay: Created a city-wide action plan, business guide, and senior charter. Waterloo: Addressed housing affordability, high curbs, and increased outreach to isolated seniors. Have put forth a step-by-step guide to becoming an age-friendly community Brantford: Improved transportation services for seniors within the county and between the city and county Dryden: Expanded the use of Telehealth Ontario and the establishment of a regional caregiver support network Source: County of Simcoe

P URPOSE OF S TEERING C OMMITTEE Promote collaboration and encourage involvement among stakeholders; Provide a forum for ideas and innovative solutions for becoming more age-friendly Develop a holistic and coordinated approach among local government, citizens, service providers, community organizations, and businesses; and Raise public awareness and interest in building a more age-friendly community.

M ILESTONES TO ACHIEVE

G OAL OF N EEDS A SSESSMENT Answer the following three questions: 1. What are the community’s strengths in relation to the 8 dimensions? 2. What are the perceived weaknesses and/or problems within the community? 3. How do we address these issues? In other words, where are we now, where do we need to go, how will we get there, and who do we need to help us get there?

A NY Q UESTIONS OR COMMENTS ?

R OLES TO BE FILLED 1. Secretary (1) Take meeting minutes 2. Communication personal (2-3) Connect with community partners & recruitment Spread the word about events (everyone!) 3. Needs assessment development (2-3) Create draft and final needs assessments, which will include a survey, online polls, and focus groups 4. Needs assessment analysis (2-3) Organize, analyze, and report on data 5. Facilitators (2) Will conduct surveys, focus group, and interviews 6. Event organizers (2-3)

B UILDING P ARTNERSHIPS Current Partnerships: Thunder Bay Age-Friendly Steering Committee Rebecca Johnson: Chair of Age-Friendly Committee and City Councillor Nancy Angus: Working on Thunder Bay Age-Friendly Action Plan Thunder Bay Art Gallery Brainstorm future partnerships Homework: Use your connections and to create new partnerships or bring new people and organizations to next meeting

A NY QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS, OR TOPICS TO PUT FORTH FOR DISCUSSION ? O PEN D ISCUSSION

N EXT M EETING Create value and missions statements to guide decision making Confirm terms of reference Brainstorm session on needs assessment Discuss what is being done in the community Anticipated challenges and possible solutions Survey dissection Discuss potential partnerships Sign confidentiality