Transcript Slide 1

In 2006, Province of BC selected Saanich
as a partner city to collaborate in
Global Age-Friendly Cities Project
With support from the Ministry of Health,
the University of Victoria Centre on Aging,
Community Task Group members
And the Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee
World Health Organization defines an “age-friendly”
community as one which:
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Recognizes the great diversity among older persons
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Promotes their inclusion and contribution to community
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Respects their decisions and lifestyle choices
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Anticipates and responds flexibly to aging related needs and
preferences
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Largest municipality on Vancouver Island; 7th largest in British
Columbia, Canada
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Includes a diverse population
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Urban and rural mix
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Four recreation centres; 1 golf course
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169 parks, 1 skate park, 1 water park
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100 km of trails and 37 beach accesses
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Sportsfields, playgrounds, sport courts, tennis courts, lacrosse boxes,
lawnbowling greens, seniors centres
Numbers and Proportion of Older Persons
Population in Saanich 2011
(Total population = 109,752)
Ages
% of Pop.
Total persons
Male
in Age Group
Female
60-74
16%
17,575
8,330
9,245
75 & older
9%
10,225
4,350
5,875
Data Source: Statistics Canada 2011 Census Profile
Past Successes (2008-2013)
• Senior Friendly Service Decal Program 2008
• “Quiet” times in recreation facilities
• Development of Trail Guidelines, 2007
• Bench adaptations implemented
• Completion of Centennial Trails Project
Phase I (no funding for Phase 2)
• ‘Measure Up’ project (grant) in 2010 to
complete an accessibility inventory of
recreation facilities and some parks & trails
Current & Future Initiatives
Residential sidewalks near regional and
neighborhood centres and villages have been
identified for new sidewalk construction.
New practice to construct two metre wide
sidewalks, and 3-4 metre sidewalks near
regional and neighborhood centres and villages.
New standards adapted for driveway drops
Current & Future Initiatives
Shelbourne Valley Action Plan - New
Development Permit Guidelines to consider
seniors’ needs for major centres,
neighbourhoods and villages.
Ongoing accessibility improvements for
parks & trails – 97% of seniors live with
500m of a park
Past Successes (2008-2013)
Implemented “Access to Transit”
recommendations
Changes made to Engineering Service
Requirements
Since 2008:
• 80 new transit shelters were installed & 92
bus stops made wheelchair accessible
• 22 km of new sidewalk constructed
• 28 km of cycling routes implemented
(road, off road, and shared)
Past Successes (2008-2013)
Adopted new design guidelines for
major centres that consider
accessibility
New sidewalk construction priorities
given to proximity to senior housing
units, regional and neighbourhood
centres
Current & Future Initiatives
Audible crosswalk signals installed
Count down timers installed and
adjusted for slower mobility
Encourage mixed use and
intergenerational opportunities; a new
sidewalk was built providing access to
Cordova Bay 55+ Community Place
Current & Future Initiatives
Redesign street network to add connections for pedestrians/cyclists,
break up superblocks, improve crossings of major streets and
improve public transit access
- 90% of seniors housing is within
400m of a bus stop
Improvements to building
access & ensure safe and convenient
travel for a range of abilities
Past Successes (2008-2013)
2008: Council adopted Sustainable Saanich
Official Community Plan, reflecting the
accelerating proportion of older adult age
groups
Zoning bylaw amended - voluntary guidelines
for townhouses & single family dwellings
http://www.saanich.ca/living/community/ocp
Past Successes (2008-2013)
Zoning Bylaw changes to permit secondary suites
in single family dwellings (2010). Policy amended
to include Adult Day Care (2012) in commercially
zoned areas.
Saanich Adaptable Housing Guidelines
implemented.
Over 725 multi-family units and applications
approved for construction
Current & Future Initiatives
Improved accessibility at multi-family
Housing
• elevators
• disabled parking
• HandyDart pick/up drop off area
• scooter charging stations
Development guidelines provide adequate
indoor/outdoor space
– Mt.View Campus includes adjacent new park
Current & Future Initiatives
Encourage mixed-use housing options in all neighbourhoods to enable
‘aging in preferred place’
A 45 unit supportive housing complex approved, for senior’s (55+) who
have been homeless or are at risk of homelessness.
3223 Quadra Project is in partnership with CoolAid Society.
Past Successes (2008-2013)
Minds In Motion Program partnership
with Alzheimer's Society
Cordova Bay Community Place – a 55+
centre built in a K-5 school
Finding Home Dialogues – Resulting
Conversation cafes
Trust Us Intergenerational Program
Current & Future Initiatives
High representation of older adults on Advisory
Committee and Task Forces
Presentations & tours with
Multicultural Groups,
Intercultural Association
Current & Future Initiatives
Foods Skills for Seniors
Community Kitchens for Seniors
Gorge Community Garden
(incorporating Trust Us
Intergenerational Guidelines )
Successes ongoing (2008-2014)
Ongoing Leisure Involvement for
Everyone – L.I.F.E. program provides
access to recreation for low income
individuals and families
Partner with Senior Living Magazine to
host annual Seniors Expo
Successes ongoing (2008-2014)
Free opportunities for seniors:
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social drop in,
ballroom dance,
‘Seniors’ Days’ in centres,
walking programs,
Music In The Park
90+ Pass For Life
Current & Future Initiatives
Partner with/support not-for-profit
organizations to deliver neighbourhood
recreational and social services
Seniors Community Garden Group
Steps to Connect program
Greater Victoria Public Library pass
Past Successes (2008-2013)
Presentations and tours with assisted
living residences
Improved audio & visual systems in
Council Chambers
Current & Future Initiatives
Social & Recreational Guide for Older Adults
Bi-annual meetings with Saanich Partners
Use of Social Media – eNewsletter, Facebook
Ongoing Webpage updates
Past Successes (2008-2013)
Facilitate active participation of older adults on Advisory
Committees, Design Panels, Task Forces, and on Healthy Saanich
Advisory Committee
High representation of older
adults as volunteers in
Emergency Preparedness Program
2011 implemented mail-in ballot
Current & Future Initiatives
Mobile polling stations travelling to assisted
living and seniors’ residences for 2014
Seniors focus groups held for community
planning and policy development initiatives
Volunteer opportunities in Block Watch,
Emergency Preparedness Program, Fire
Safety and Parks & Recreation
Past Successes (2008-2013)
Saanich Fire Department
- Seniors Slip/Fall Prevention
- Fire Prevention
Saanich Police Department
- Seniors Fraud Awareness Workshops,
- Mature Driving Workshops
- Preventing Elder Abuse
Current & Future Initiatives
Expand Rehab and Therapy services in recreation centres
Expanded partnership programs
with Island Health Authority:
• Boost Your Brain Power
• Falls Prevention
• Steps To Connect
Lessons Learned
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Resources must be allocated for success
Regular evaluation process designed
Internal collaboration between departments required
Needs to tie into Saanich communication, municipal strategic
plans and master plans.
May 2014
An Age-Friendly future
is exciting!!
For more information:
Julie Wallace & Sandra Pearson
District of Saanich
Community Services
(250) 475-5424
[email protected]
[email protected]