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 Domains1. 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 AMERICASArgentina, La PlataBrazil, Rio de JaneiroCanada, HalifaxCanada, Portage La PrairieCanada, SaanichCanada, Sherbrooke Costa Rica, San JoseJamaica, KingstonJamaica, Montego BayMexico, CancunMexico, Mexico CityPuerto Rico, MayaguezPuerto Rico, PonceUSA, New YorkUSA, Portland

AFRICAKenya, Nairobi

EUROPEGermany, RuhrIreland, DundalkItaly, UdineRussia, MoscowRussia, TuymazySwitzerland, GenevaTurkey, IstanbulUK, EdinburghUK, London

EASTERN MEDITERRANEANJordan, AmmanLebanon, TripoliPakistan, Islamabad

SOUTH-EAST ASIAIndia, New DelhiIndia, Udaipur

WESTERN PACIFICAustralia, MelbourneAustralia, MelvilleChina, ShanghaiJapan, HimejiJapan, TokyoCredit: BC Ministry of Health

Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities Initiative

• 2nd 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 6th, 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 6th, 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) 424-6211

Jacqueline.campbell@gov.ns.ca