Age Friendly Communities and seniors

The third topic I think is important is the issue of the concept of Age Friendly Communities. Since 2005, the provincial government has provided $6.25 million to support the program. To date, more than 148 local governments have completed projects or been approved for funding. There are two streams that a municipal government can apply to for funding. The first is adding an age-friendly or seniors’ lens to existing plans or policies, such as:

• Official Community Plans, Integrated Community Sustainability Plans, Health and Wellness Plans, or community or neighbourhood plans

• Zoning and other bylaws (subdivision, snow removal, parking, etc.)

• Development permit requirements

• Emergency response, evacuation and/or emergency social services plans

• Design guidelines

• Active transportation planning Age-friendly Projects

The second stream for funding is to support local governments to undertake local projects that enable seniors to age in place and facilitate the creation of age-friendly communities. In order to be eligible for Stream 2, eligible applicants are required to have a completed an age-friendly assessment or action plan, or demonstrate that their Official Community Plan, Integrated Sustainability Community Plan, or an equivalent plan, is inclusive of age-friendly planning principles. Under Stream 2, eligible activities must be cost-effective and may include:

• Support for persons with dementia

• Increased community accessibility (transportation, housing, services)

• Provision of recreation and healthy living activities and/or referral and support to link seniors with recreation and healthy living services

• Community gardens and healthy eating

There are many examples of programs that have been started as a result of this funding. Such as the town of Oliver developed an outdoor fitness park with input from partners including Interior Health, service clubs and seniors’ groups. The year-round park is well utilized and provides a no-cost opportunity for seniors to be physically active. Or the District of Invermere created an age-friendly business directory, companion program, monthly luncheons and a mentorship program. The companion program matched seniors with volunteers who will assist with everyday living activities such as shoveling the sidewalk, driving to and from the grocery store or appointments. Business owners and employees offered training on how their operations can be more age-friendly.

The issue is not that these programs have been funded, but the concern is how many projects undertaken in phase one have been developed to a stage two project. How many of these phase two projects are still being offered and are they still providing what seniors need to stay in place or where they one hit wonders and no longer operating?