Age-Friendly Communities: A global idea working in Nova Scotia communities Jacqueline Campbell Community Development, Department of Seniors October 29, 2009

Outline History Studies Resources Available

Population Aging – Statistics Seniors will comprise 25% of Nova Scotia’s population by 2026 (Strategy for Positive Aging in Nova Scotia, 2005,p.13) In Canada, within a decade, adults aged 65 and over will outnumber children under the age of 15 (PHAC, Centre for Health Promotion)

What is an Age-Friendly community? A community where the physical and social environments support and enable people of all ages, including older Nova Scotians, to live in a secure environment, enjoy good health, and continue to participate fully in society. (Global Age-friendly Cities: A Guide, World Health Organization, 2007)

Age-Friendly Community Building blocks include: Policies and services Physical environments (settings, structures) Social environment Benefits all ages, seniors included

Age-Friendly Domains 1.Outdoor Spaces & Buildings 2.Transportation 3.Housing 4.Respect & Social Inclusion 5.Social Participation 6.Civic Participation & Employment 7.Communication & Information 8.Community Support & Health Services

Age-Friendly Cities Project In 2006, World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the Age- Friendly Cities Project; Jointly funded in Nova Scotia by Department of Seniors and Halifax Regional Municipality

Age-Friendly Collaborating Cities AMERICAS Argentina, La Plata Brazil, Rio de Janeiro Canada, Halifax Canada, Portage La Prairie Canada, Saanich Canada, Sherbrooke Costa Rica, San Jose Jamaica, Kingston Jamaica, Montego Bay Mexico, Cancun Mexico, Mexico City Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Puerto Rico, Ponce USA, New York USA, Portland AFRICA Kenya, Nairobi EUROPE Germany, Ruhr Ireland, Dundalk Italy, Udine Russia, Moscow Russia, Tuymazy Switzerland, Geneva Turkey, Istanbul UK, Edinburgh UK, London EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN Jordan, Amman Lebanon, Tripoli Pakistan, Islamabad SOUTH-EAST ASIA India, New Delhi India, Udaipur WESTERN PACIFIC Australia, Melbourne Australia, Melville China, Shanghai Japan, Himeji Japan, Tokyo Credit: BC Ministry of Health

Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities Initiative 2 nd Age-Friendly project in 2007 Project of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the F/T/P Ministers Responsible for Seniors

Age-Friendly Collaborating Communities 10 Canadian communities participated

Nova Scotia’s International and National Involvement in Promoting Age-Friendly Initiatives WHO Age-friendly cities project - site Halifax PHAC/FPT Age-friendly rural/remote – site Guysborough

Funding Initiative: Age-Friendly Communities Grants All municipal units eligible to apply Receive up to 50% of total project cost, to a max of $5000. With other 50% matched by municipality either in cash or in-kind. One time costs eligible – project must not already be completed Next Call for Proposals – November 6 th, 2009

Examples: Projects funded fall 2008 Municipality of the County of Inverness [Construction of an age-friendly gazebo in Community Garden in Port Hood] Municipality of the District of Chester [Inter-generational outdoor fitness circuit located at the Chester Area Middle School]

Examples: Projects funded continued Municipality of the District of Lunenburg age-friendly upgrades to the trail surface at the Municipal Activity Recreation Centre, installation of benches along existing trails production of newsletters to outline senior specific municipal information age-friendly information collection from seniors

Next Steps: Moving Forward in Nova Scotia November 6 th, 2009, signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Department of Seniors and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities Partnerships and Funding initiatives Department of Seniors is committed to continuing to promote and support the development of Age-Friendly Communities in Nova Scotia!

Jacqueline Campbell Community Development Coordinator Nova Scotia Department of Seniors (902)