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.

 

A needs assessment and community engagement process identified key strategies and priorities that the City and community partners can implement to help support older residents in remaining in their community with appropriate supports and community amenities, services and programs.

 

The following actions were recommended for implementation under the World Health Organization eight domains.

• Identify volunteer and employment opportunities and services
• Expand digital access and literacy among residents and seniors
• Support Lakehead University in taking steps to be an age-friendly university

• Establish an online Community Service Portal
• Ensure communication and promotional materials create positive and inclusive images celebrating the City’s diversity
• Create age-friendly communications checklist
• Host age-friendly expos

• Coordinate and promote virtual learning workshop series
• Establish caregiver ‘Coffee Chat’
• Explore opportunities to coordinate monthly ‘Seniors Together’
• Support community partners in efforts to increase in-home supports for seniors and people with disabilities
• Re-establish Community and Health Service Provider Coffee Time Network (Unity in the Community)

• Ensure municipal policies support a range of housing forms that meet the diverse and changing needs of residents
• Advocate for additional funding for affordable, transitional, and supportive housing
• Explore opportunities for funding and community partnerships to pilot a HomeShare program in Orillia

• Ensure community parks, open spaces, and trails are accessible and encourage recreational and wellness opportunities for all ages
• Identify opportunities to improve maintenance of sidewalks, multi-purpose trail, and driveways
  • a. Continue to evaluate and enhance existing snow removal services
  • b. Explore opportunities for community ‘snow angels’ program
• Support the growth of community gardens that are accessible to all ages and abilities

• Explore opportunity to work with a community partner(s) to conduct an annual ‘Living Well at All Ages’ art exhibit
• Engage and partner with community organizations to expand and promote programing options that support diverse needs of residents
• Work with community partners to promote friendly-visiting programs
• Expand age-friendly awareness among local businesses

• Continue to explore options to expand diversity of recreational program delivery [through Seniors at Play