AGE FRIENDLY PROJECTSHKPR DISTRICT HEALTH UNITBoard of Health PresentationApril 17, 2014Angela Andrewsand Doreen Boville

AGE-FRIENDLY DEFINED… Concept developed by the World Health Organization An age-friendly community encourages active aging by

optimizing opportunities for health, participation and safety

Enhances quality of life as people age; benefits all ages Theme Areas:

Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings Transportation Housing Communication and Information Civic Participation and Employment Community Support and Health Services Respect and Social Inclusion Social Participation

HOW IT ALL BEGAN… New Horizons for Seniors grants were

obtained in Haliburton and City of Kawartha Lakes

Community assessments were completed In Northumberland County, an Aging Well

Committee was established as an offshoot of the Northumberland Falls Prevention Coalition

Age Friendly initiatives focus more broadly on seniors health but policies and supportive environments resulting from AF work support falls prevention

AGE-FRIENDLY AND THE ONTARIO PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARDS

Accountability Agreement – Fall‐related emergency visits in older adults aged 65+ (rate per 100,000)

Ontario Public Health Units are required to address the prevention of injuries, including a requirement to “...influence the development and implementation of healthy policies and programs and the creation or enhancement of safe and supportive environments that address falls across the lifespan.”

The most effective policies that influence the prevention of falls among seniors as indicated by the Prevention of Injury Guidance Document reflects the work being done to create healthy, active age-friendly communities as well as reviewing the social determinants of health.

AF work is one project that helps us achieve the falls prevention outcome indicator. Look at falls as not one piece but many pieces from a seniors health and aging perspective.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Haliburton County

Aging Well Committee Haliburton County Falls Prevention Network

City of Kawartha Lakes Age Friendly Steering Committee Fenelon Falls Age Friendly Committee Omemee Age Friendly Committee Age Friendly presentations in partnership with CKL

Library Services in Bethany

Northumberland County Age Well Network of Trent Hills Northumberland Falls Prevention Coalition

HALIBURTON COUNTYACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATEOutdoor Spaces and Public Buildings Bench installments Automatic door opener for LifeLabs at the

Haliburton Family Medical Centre Arm chairs in community centers More use of handrails by local businesses Input into streetscape planning and official

plans Support for the Haliburton County Pool

Committee 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUED…Housing: Housing information sessions, forums and

research to create a county housing strategy Transportation: Awareness of the developing transportation

strategies for the county Communications: Creating a more positive image of seniors, and

raising older adults’ issues in radio, newspapers and other media

CITY OF KAWARTHA LAKESACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATEOutdoor Spaces and Public Buildings Bench installments Support for winter snow removal on sidewalks Spearheaded or participated in walkability assessments

and followup to address identified hazards Work closely with the CKL Accessibility Coordinator to

mutually support each other’s initiatives One result of this collaboration was additional disabled

parking spaces in Fenelon Falls

Housing: Supported Housing forum coordinated by Accessibility

Coordinator and other CKL staff 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUED…Transportation: Hosted an information session to promote the rural transit

service  Communications: Have raised the profile of the Age Friendly project and of

older adults’ issues through various media and presentations to community groups

Have begun compiling an inventory of senior related activities throughout CKL

Were successful in having a “senior-friendly” icon included in the Parks and Rec Leisure Guide

Have excellent working relationships with CKL Councillors in Fenelon Falls and Omemee

Poster series developed

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUED…Community Support and Health Services Hosted a Healthcare Community Consultation

Forum Have connections to the Family Health Teams,

Omemee Medical Centre Board and Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative

AF members were part of delegation that met with Ministry of Health representatives to advocate for improved local lab services

Seniors difficulty with using self-serve gas stations raised by AF; cause championed by Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee and endorsed by CKL Council

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUED…Respect and Social Inclusion/Social Participation Participate annually in Seniors Fair hosted by

MP and MPP Promote low cost social activities of other

groups

Other Strong relationships with other community

partners Participate in review of official, secondary

and sustainability plans

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTYACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE Shared information on seniors’ health Shared opportunities for professional

development related to seniors’ health including inviting 6 speakers to provide “Lunch and Learn” sessions in 2012/13

Promotion of seniors’ physical activity options (via “Rx for a healthier you” tearoff notepads)

Hosted the “Seniors Exercise in Northumberland” Think Tank with an emphasis on improving access and identifying gaps in opportunities

Think Tank led to the Heartwise Exercise Program being offered at the Cobourg Community Centre

CURRENT PROJECTSHALIBURTON COUNTY

StopGapAccess for All one ramp at a time

COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITYAODA Accessibility Standard for the Design of Public Spaces include: 

Recreational trails/beach access routes Outdoor public eating areas like rest stops or

picnic areas Outdoor play spaces, like playgrounds in

provincial parks and local communities Outdoor paths of travel, like sidewalks,

ramps, stairs, curb ramps, rest areas and accessible pedestrian signals

Accessible parking (on and off street)

HOW THE RAMP PROJECT WORKS Materials from local building supply stores Students from HHSS will build the ramps and will

work with seniors from the committee Businesses with single stepped storefronts in Dysart

et al. have expressed interest in participating to have a custom ramp made at no cost

Brightly coloured ramps that are light weight and have handles are built to improve access and get people talking about this design issue

CURRENT PROJECTSCITY OF KAWARTHA LAKESFenelon Falls Be a Good Neighbour Program Strengthening Partnership with Seniors Club Meet and Greet June 2014

Omemee Communications/Newsletter Committee

All CKL Promotion of Seniors Month in June

CURRENT PROJECTSNORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY Continue to network and move seniors health

issues forward

IN CLOSING…Contributors to our success include: Engaged community partners Supportive municipal councils and staff Passionate seniors in our communities that have

the interest, energy and connections to move ideas forward

Changing political and societal expectations and support that place a growing emphasis on the senior population which is quickly becoming the largest demographic group

All of this makes HKPR’s Age Friendly projects busy, dynamic and effective initiatives in our communities

THANK YOU!