AGE FRIENDLY OTTAWA & THE OLDER ADULT PLAN On the road to an age-friendly Ottawa May 23, 20121

1. What is an age-friendly City ? 2. About Age Friendly Ottawa and the Municipal Older Adult Plan 3. Results from the public consultations 4. Results according to target groups 5. Next steps on the road to an age-friendly city May 23, 20122

W HAT IS AN A GE - F RIENDLY C ITY ? “...an inclusive and accessible urban environment that promotes active and healthy ageing.”-WHO 3 May 23, 2012

In an age-friendly city: May 23, Policies, services, settings and structures support and enable people to age actively by: Recognizing the wide range of capacities and resources among older people Anticipating and responding flexibly to aging-related needs and preferences

In an age-friendly city: May 23, Respecting their decisions and lifestyle choices Protecting those who are most vulnerable Promoting the inclusion of older adults in, and valuing their contribution to all areas of community life Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors (2007). Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities: A Guide

Linking Together to Form a Whole 6 CITY OF OTTAWA OLDER ADULT PLAN Focuses on City infrastructure and services Part of community-wide plan AGE FRIENDLY OTTAWA PLAN Community-wide focus Engage the diversity of seniors

Municipal Older Adult Plan A priority of City Council Purpose is to make changes so that municipal services and infrastructure are responsive to the specific needs of older adults in Ottawa today and into the future Will focus on areas that are under municipal responsibility Three main phases: Background research, consultation with older adults and an action plan Will be presented to Committee and Council for approval 7

Older Adult Plan Project Phases 1. Background Research 2. Consultation with Older Adults 3. Development of Older Adult Plan Completed in early 2011 Demographic and socio-economic profile (and population projections) Inventory of City programs and services Consultations with front-line staff Oct and Nov 2011 Over 600 older adults Mayor’s Seniors Summit, community sessions & focus groups, survey Partnered with Age Friendly Ottawa Jan to Sept 2012 Strategy and action plan Based on all research and consultation findings

The Age Friendly Ottawa Initiative In partnership with the Centre on Governance of the University of Ottawa, the City of Ottawa and many community partners, the Council on Aging of Ottawa leads the Age Friendly Steering Committee since Our mission is to enhance and improve the age- friendliness of Ottawa for all seniors, in collaboration with government, business, the voluntary sector and other partners using the processes of community engagement and action. 9May 23, 2012

Working towards the same goal We share a common vision of Ottawa as an age- friendly and caring community We share a common framework focused on improvements in 8 WHO areas We presented a successful joint application to join the WHO Network of Age Friendly Cities May 23,

May 23,

Methodology Mayor’ Senior Summit: October 3, 2011– launch of Older Adult Plan and community consultations with older adults Joint Consultations: Age-Friendly Ottawa and City of Ottawa – October-November 2011 Over 600 participants engaged in city-led community consultations, AFO targeted focus groups and a consultation survey Final report of findings and analysis May 23,

Older Adults Told Us: May 23, What it’s like to live in Ottawa About good experiences and bad experiences About ideas for improving the lives of seniors in the 8 age-friendly areas

Current age-friendly aspects: City of Ottawa: manageable size & sense of community Green spaces: city parks, bike lanes..... Free bus transportation on certain days Wealth of services and activities: seniors centres, museums, public libraries, community centres, the arts.... Safe city in the daytime Efficient emergency services May 23,

1.Outdoor Spaces and buildings  Improve city-wide access to buildings and public spaces – restaurants, private offices  Fix roads and sidewalks – cracks, grading, curbs..  Add more ramps, rails & automatic doors...doors too heavy  Remove snow and ice - bus stops, roads and sidewalks…  Add outdoor benches & washrooms – on main roads, parks, bus stops 15May 23, 2012

2. Transportation  Make sure stops are close to destinations  Improve safety on-board buses  Add flexibility to Para-transpo scheduling  Add adapted parking spots for seniors  Reduce cost and complicated payment process for parking– especially at hospitals 16May 23, 2012

3. Housing  Design accessible adapted housing for seniors  Improve supply of affordable housing  Improve knowledge about and access to resources to age at home  Offer support during life-long transitions  Shorten wait-lists for social housing and long-term care  Standardize quality of care in supportive housing and private seniors residences 17May 23, 2012

4. Social Participation  Support community groups to provide own culturally appropriate programs  Remove financial barriers to access social activities– including cost for renting facilities  Provide safe & affordable spaces for seniors’ gatherings  Improve access to information about programs and activities 18May 23, 2012

5. Respect and Social Inclusion  Celebrate the contributions of older adults and fight ageism  Provide more opportunities for intergenerational activities such as mentoring youth  Pay particular attention to the unique needs of older adults, according to: ability, health, culture, income, language, gender, sexual orientation …  Provide sensitivity training for those who provide direct services to older adults 19May 23, 2012

6. Civic Participation Paid/Unpaid work  Provide incentives to volunteers  Provide more opportunities for paid/unpaid work to older adults  Improve communication about opportunities for paid and unpaid work  Simplify police checks and application process  Better recognize contributions of volunteers 20May 23, 2012

7. Communication and Information  Slow down the move towards paperless and internet-based information and automated phone systems  Maintain the traditional methods - mail, radio, paper, posters, TV...  Improve awareness on how to get information when needed  Make better use of informal networks with close links to seniors  Provide information in different languages 21May 23, 2012

8. Community Support and Health Services  Make it easier to find the correct information at the appropriate time  Reduce the long waiting lists for services  Improve transitions between levels of care  Improve supports for aging at home  Add more volunteer drivers and door-to door escorts to get to medical appointments 22May 23, 2012

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List of target groups 1. Rural 2. Aboriginal 3. Francophone 4. Multicultural 5. Low – income 6. With disabilities 7. Isolated (phone interviews and home visits) 8. Natural Caregivers 9. Senior Pride Network 10. Seniors over Business community 12. Service Providers 13. Age Friendly Ottawa Reference Group 24May 23, 2012

Some seniors are more vulnerable to exclusion and isolation Low income seniors face financial exclusion from services, events, and information (internet, tv) – links between poor health and poverty are well established Older seniors and seniors with disabilities are more affected by the lack of general accessibility (building, roads, sidewalks, housing) and lack of availability of public transportation Multicultural and Aboriginal older adults face discrimination and exclusion from mainstream society May 23,

More Examples… Francophone seniors seek city-wide access to services in French & fiscal equity for centres who provide services in French Gay and lesbian older adults advocate for policy changes so same-sex couples can be welcomed in retirement housing and long-term care Natural caregivers are concerned about finding and accessing needed support services Rural seniors also want to age at home! They need better access to home services and transportation May 23,

May 23,

Older Adult Plan Next Steps 28 Finalize a draft action plan Review this plan with community stakeholders during the month of June Integrate feed-back Present Older Adult Plan to Council for approval in September 2012 Implement actions beginning in fall 2012

Next Steps for AFO May 23, Consult with older adults to validate findings and set priorities for community action Community forums on June 5 Target group visits Develop an AFO action plan that aligns with city’s OAP and engages seniors in areas that are community driven Chose one or two community projects that will make a difference Monitor progress & continue to build momentum

Together, we can do it! May 23,