Age-Friendly Community Plan

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Background

In 2023, the District worked with local service providers to develop an Age-Friendly Plan. The plan helps us understand how to best create age-friendly services and infrastructure to support the growing number of seniors in our community. An age-friendly community is where all members of the community are supported, active, and engaged throughout all stages of life.

Importantly, the Plan is not meant to replace or repeat what other initiatives, such as the Accessibility Plan and Active Transportation Plan, are doing. This process allowed us to have specific conversations on age-friendliness and to identify priority areas.

What is an Age-Friendly Plan?

Age-friendly communities support older people to age with dignity, respect, and independence, and promote the inclusion of older adults in all areas of community life. Importantly, age-friendly communities are designed to address the needs of all residents.

The World Health Organization identified eight key areas of community life in which communities can become more age-friendly:

  • Outdoor spaces and buildings
  • Transportation
  • Housing
  • Social participation
  • Respect and social inclusion
  • Civic participation and employment
  • Communication and information
  • Community support and health services

The age-friendly planning process will explore issues, opportunities, and priorities across these 8 areas, to develop a framework to guide the development of the Age-Friendly Plan and implementation of the recommended actions.

About the Project Process

A comprehensive engagement process took place in 2023 that included input from residents, community organizations, health partners, and our municipal neighbours. In addition, a review of community data and background information and existing District strategies, and research on best practices and successful initiatives other similar communities are undertaking shaped the committee's understanding of the community needs and opportunities.

The development of the Plan was funded by a grant provided by Plan H.

Background

In 2023, the District worked with local service providers to develop an Age-Friendly Plan. The plan helps us understand how to best create age-friendly services and infrastructure to support the growing number of seniors in our community. An age-friendly community is where all members of the community are supported, active, and engaged throughout all stages of life.

Importantly, the Plan is not meant to replace or repeat what other initiatives, such as the Accessibility Plan and Active Transportation Plan, are doing. This process allowed us to have specific conversations on age-friendliness and to identify priority areas.

What is an Age-Friendly Plan?

Age-friendly communities support older people to age with dignity, respect, and independence, and promote the inclusion of older adults in all areas of community life. Importantly, age-friendly communities are designed to address the needs of all residents.

The World Health Organization identified eight key areas of community life in which communities can become more age-friendly:

  • Outdoor spaces and buildings
  • Transportation
  • Housing
  • Social participation
  • Respect and social inclusion
  • Civic participation and employment
  • Communication and information
  • Community support and health services

The age-friendly planning process will explore issues, opportunities, and priorities across these 8 areas, to develop a framework to guide the development of the Age-Friendly Plan and implementation of the recommended actions.

About the Project Process

A comprehensive engagement process took place in 2023 that included input from residents, community organizations, health partners, and our municipal neighbours. In addition, a review of community data and background information and existing District strategies, and research on best practices and successful initiatives other similar communities are undertaking shaped the committee's understanding of the community needs and opportunities.

The development of the Plan was funded by a grant provided by Plan H.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded. Please check back for the results in October.

    Share your thoughts on the draft plan!

    Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and share your thoughts on the draft actions. While completing the survey, also think about other members of your community and their experiences. 

    This survey is estimated to take 10 minutes to complete. All information collected will be kept confidential and used only in a summary of input received.

    About the draft!

    After completing the first round of community engagement in Spring 2023, draft actions have been prepared based on input received from the community and the Age-Friendly Advisory Committee, which is comprised of local service organizations, such as the Centre for Active Living, Panorama Recreation, Beacon Community Services, Tsartlip and Tsawout Health Offices, Greater Victoria Housing Society, Mt Newton Society and more. 

    The Age-Friendly Plan considers 8 key areas of community life in which communities can become more age-friendly:

    • Outdoor spaces and buildings
    • Transportation
    • Housing
    • Respect and social inclusion
    • Civic participation and employment
    • Communication and information
    • Community support and health services
    • Social participation

    Action items have been drafted to work towards the goals of each of the 8 key areas listed above. These actions will not be undertaken by the District alone. Leads and partners for each action will be identified to aid in implementation of the Age-Friendly Plan. 

    A summary of the 8 key areas of community life can be viewed here. They will be helpful to reference as you complete the survey.

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Community Survey - Spring 2023

    This survey is open until May 14; please share your knowledge and experiences and help shape the direction of the Age Friendly Plan. This survey is estimated to take 10 minutes to complete.

    Introduction

    The Age-Friendly Plan will consider 8 key areas of community life in which communities can become more age-friendly:

    • Outdoor spaces and buildings
    • Transportation
    • Housing
    • Respect and social inclusion
    • Civic participation and employment
    • Communication and information
    • Community support and health services
    • Social participation

    While completing the survey, also think about other members of your community and their experiences.  


    Personal information is collected by The District of Central Saanich (DOCS) under the authority of the Community Charter/Local Government Act and the DOCS bylaws, and is only used for purposes necessary and consistent with operation of DOCS’ services, programs and/or activities. Disclosure of personal information by DOCS is subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have any questions about collection, use or disclosure of personal information by DOCS, please contact: the DOCS FOI Head, 1903 Mt. Newton Cross Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 2A9 250-652-4444.

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Page last updated: 04 Dec 2023, 04:32 PM