Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario: A Grassroots Stakeholder Based Approach Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Stakeholder Committee September Québec City, Québec, Canada

Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada2

A GE -F RIENDLY T HUNDER B AY O NTARIO Age-Friendly Thunder Bay was initiated on the basis of community based participatory action research conducted by Dr. Mary Lou Kelley and the Centre for Education & Research on Aging & Health, Lakehead University. Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada3

S TAKEHOLDER B ASED C OMMITTEE Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada4 Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Committee For Profit Not For Profit Individuals Community Members at Large

C OMMUNITY S URVEY : P URPOSE Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada5 In 2010 a community survey was conducted by the Centre for Education & Research on Aging & Health, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay The purpose of the survey was: To look at the City of Thunder Bay from a critical “aging” lens in order to celebrate its strengths and determine potential areas of improvement”

C OMMUNITY S URVEY : M ETHODOLOGY Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada6 The research questions were: 1.How does the physical, social and cultural environment in Thunder Bay currently support and provide challenges to the quality of life and independence of its aging population? 2.How can the physical, social and cultural environment in Thunder Bay be modified to better support the quality of life and independence of the aging population? The survey information was collected by seniors. The information was gathered from seniors exiting public health flu clinics located throughout the Thunder Bay community.

C OMMUNITY F INDINGS : S TRENGTHS Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada7 Older people feel respected. There are pleasant outdoor spaces for walking and recreation. There are opportunities for meaningful involvement through volunteerism. Thunder Bay has opportunities to stay active. There is an affordable overall cost of living. There are many cultural opportunities.

C OMMUNITY F INDINGS : B ARRIERS Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada8 Affordable housing options (choice). Affordable and accessible transportation. Safe neighbourhoods. Easy access to information. Opportunities for meaningful involvement through employment. Feeling included within the municipal government.

Ontario Trillium Foundation Funding In November 2012 the AFTB Committee received $75,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The funding was managed by a steering committee comprised of a collaborative of organizations. The work was conducted by members of the AFTB Committee who volunteered to work in specific task groups. Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada9

S TAKEHOLDER B ASED C OMMITTEE Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada10 Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Committee For Profit Not For Profit Individuals Community Members at Large Collaborative Steering Committee Ontario Trillium Foundation Senior Charter Task Group Business Guide Task Group Intergenerational Education Task Group Public Awareness Task Group

AFTB Business Guide: Task Group Engagement Process Stage 1 The business guide development process took place over a year and a half. Representatives sitting on the Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Committee volunteered for a task group that guided the work. Literature was reviewed and best practices identified. The design and content of the business guide were developed and refined during several meetings of the task group over the late summer and fall of 2012: Development of draft ideas. Task group review and meetings. Refinement of ideas. Task group review and meeting. Development of draft business guides (two drafts). Task group review and meetings. Development of business guide prototype. Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada11

AFTB Business Guide: Underlying Principles Welcoming, appealing, attractive Easy to manage, portability, convenience Access options Provocation, reflection Inclusive Provides opportunity for input Provides opportunity for feedback (evaluation, reflection) Considers implementation process and the toolkit as a product Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada12

AFTB Business Guide: Task Group Engagement Process Stage 2 Key informants interviews were conducted with representatives from the community and local businesses who had reviewed the initial business guide prototype – Findings from the key informants were reviewed by the task group and changes were made to the business guide A second prototype was reviewed by focus groups conducted with seniors and owners of local businesses – Findings from the focus groups were reviewed by the task group and changes were made to the business guide The ongoing graphic design and printing of the materials were completed by locally owned and operated Thunder Bay businesses. Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada13

Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada14 The AFTB Business Guide “package” contains: A letter of introduction. A detailed business guide geared to senior managers. A condensed business guide geared to managers and supervisors. A checklist “card” for easy reference by staff and volunteers.

AFTB Business Guide: Distribution Process The goal of the distribution process was to ensure "quick successes" with locally owned businesses. The task group developed a priorised list of twenty locally owned small businesses. The packages were mailed through Canada Post Protocol for follow-up phone calls included three questions: – Did you receive the package? – Do you have any feedback with regards to the business guide? – Would you like to meet or hear from AFTB at a later date? Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada15

AFTB Business Guide: Contents The business guide is divided into 5 major sections: 1.Introduction 2.Communications 3.Inclusive Design 4.Iterative feedback loops 5.Business Quality Improvement Process Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada16

F OR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT : Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Centre for Education & Research on Aging & Health (CERAH) Lakehead University 955 Oliver Road | Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1 Tel: | fax: | fax: Web: Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Ontario Canada17