Population projections in Canada If you live to be one hundred, you’ve got it made. Very few people die past that age . George Burns 1896-1996 Life Expectancy in Canada is 80 for men, 84 for women. By 2061, it is estimated that there will be more than 78,000 centenarians living in Canada.
Aging and Frailty • The Canadian Frailty Network (CFN) describes frailty as “a patient health state associated with getting older. • In 2013 there were approximately 1 million community-dwelling seniors in Canada from 2009-2010 who were considered frail with about 1.4 million considered to be pre-frail. • In Ontario one in 10 individuals over the age of 65 is living with dementia
Aging and Frailty Falls are the leading cause of injury hospitalizations for seniors across the country, contributing to 9% of all emergency department visits by seniors. (Caring for Seniors in Residential Care)
Prevalence of Disability Increases • Prevalence of disability increases steadily with age: 15-64 10.1% 65+ 33.2% • Prevalence types by age: 45-64: Pain 12.7% Flexibility 9.8% Mobility 6% 65+: Pain 22.1% Mobility 20.5% Flexibility 19.3%
Elder Abuse In the 2016 Chief of Public Health Report: Focus on Family Violence in Canada: • Over 766,000 or 8% of Canadians over the age of 55 years said they had experienced abuse or neglect in the previous year.
County of Simcoe Demographics • 65 years + 18.0% Simcoe County 16.7% Ontario 16.9% Canada • 31% of Simcoe County’s population is 55+. By 2041, that population is expected to increase to 41% • Wait lists for senior’s housing • (2012) 40% seniors on social housing wait list. Average time for wait time 3-6 years. My mo the r always use d to say: T he o lde r yo u g e t, the b e tte r yo u g e t, unle ss yo u’ re a b anana. Be tty White
Background • 2007 : WHO & International Partners Developed “ Global Age-Friendly Cities: A Guide that outlines the framework for creating age-friendly communities” • 2013: Guide launched by Seniors Secretariat “Finding the Right Fit: AFC Planning” • 2015 : AFC Grant – Simcoe County • 2016 : Simcoe County - AFC Project Committee • Engage Older Adults • Identify Themes & Priorities
Age-Friendly Communities • The WHO identified Eight dimensions to assess a city’s environment, services & policies that reflect the determinants of active aging.
WHO Age-Friendly Initiative The County of Simcoe has joined a global effort led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to become an Age-Friendly community.
An Age-Friendly Simcoe County 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.
• map Population 479,520 2016 Stats Canada
Engagement Goals • Engage Older Adults • Identify Common Themes & Priorities • WHO 8 dimensions of AFC • Involve Diverse Communities of older adults, including those who may be harder to reach • Build on Local Knowledge & Wisdom to guide planning
Engagement Methods • Steering Committee including older adults • Newsletters, event outreach • Survey: 3,048 respondents • “Key Informant’ interviews with 16 community leaders • 16 Focus groups – approx. 125 people • 16 local municipalities • Francophone, newcomer, caregiver & indigenous communities • 4 Public Consultations
Project Timeline March April/May June/July September October 2016 – August 2016 2016 2016 2016 April 2017 2017 Presented Prepare Needs Key Focus Public Needs Assessment Survey Informant Groups Consultations Assessment Report to Interviews Report County Council
Highlights of Project Findings • The County is considered a positive & supportive place for older adults • There are opportunities for improvement • 4 predominant themes as being particularly significant through the needs assessment process: 1. Transportation 2. Communication / Information 3. Affordability 4. Accessibility
Transportation • ↑ accessible parking spaces near buildings • ↑ reliability & frequency of public transportation • Improve accessibility to bus stops & taxis • Make transportation schedules accessible & easy to understand • Improve public transportation options in & around the County
Outdoor Spaces & Buildings • Improve overall accessibility of public & private buildings • Improve sidewalk safety • ↑ access to public wash-rooms in the community • Install more seating in the community to allow for greater social participation • Improve pedestrian safety
Housing • Develop more affordable housing to address waitlists • More diverse housing options • Improve awareness of housing options for older adults • More age-friendly housing developments with accessible amenities
Social Participation Participants praised seniors’, social clubs & church organizations for providing opportunities for people to connect. • Ensure spaces where programs & services are held are accessible • Provide information about activities & events, including details about accessibility of facilities & transportation options • Find ways to encourage a variety of people to come out to social events & activities— including those on fixed incomes, less mobile & who live alone
Respect & Social Inclusion • In general, older adults are treated with respect • Appreciation for their neighbours, many whom are also older adults, noting that overall, people are helpful, courteous & kin. • ↑ involvement of older adults in community consultation & decision-making • Encourage & celebrate inclusion of older adults in the community • Develop outreach systems where people check- in on one another when someone is living alone, has mental health or mobility issues • Extend personal invitations to people who are socially isolated • ↑ Intergenerational Programming
Civic Engagement, Volunteerism & Employment • Improve access to information of where to look for employment & volunteer opportunities • Create awareness with local businesses about the value of hiring older workers Positive link between volunteerism & mental & physical health. The general attitude of older adults is that volunteering keeps them healthy & active. Factors that facilitate them engaging in volunteer work & civic opportunities include knowing where to access these opportunities, transportation to get to & fro, & having the flexibility of being able to volunteer at times that are convenient for them.
Communication & Information • Improve communication of information of services, programs & events in the community • ↑ the coordination of information & services among service agencies • ↑ access to computer literacy training 59% of respondents don’t know about 2-1-1
Community Support & Health Services • Improve & expand health care services in the County • Improve the communication of information about existing health services • Coordination of health services & community supports • Enhance transportation services to get to medical appointments
Communication Plan - Objectives • ↑ awareness of AFC activities in Simcoe County from 2017-2019 • Disseminate our Positive Aging Strategy & Planning Framework to stakeholders • Encourage & recognize AFC local planning by engaging local municipalities, businesses & service providers • Ensure sustainability of the AFC program by utilizing communication strategies as set out within the Communications Campaign
Next Steps • Disseminate 2016 Community Needs Assessment Report to stakeholders • Utilize report findings to create the Simcoe County Positive Aging Strategy: Older Adults Strengthening Our Communities • A Planning Framework will be developed as part of the Positive Aging Strategy for endorsement by Council in early 2018
Living to a 100 Fauja Singh – at the age of 82 he started to run and train for marathon.
The Icing on the Cake – Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011 Fauja became the first centenarian to complete a marathon - 8 hrs 11 min 6 sec.
Anothe r Mile stone • Ja n 2016,a t the a g e 104, F ua ja c o mple te d Mumb a i Ma ra tho n
Questions? Visit our Website at: www.Simcoe.ca/age-friendly
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