Age Friendly Focus Groups in Oakville

Are you a senior living in Oakville that has some feedback you would like to share about healthy and active aging in your community? Halton Region with the assistance of their Elder Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) wants to hear from local seniors about their thoughts on age friendly communities. There will be six focus groups held in Oakville in October and November to collect information from seniors and their caregivers to support a research project ESAC is conducting on age friendly communities.

“Age friendly communities make it easier for seniors to be safe, maintain their health and participate fully in their community,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “I encourage seniors to get involved in the focus groups to have their voice heard.”

Focus groups in Oakville are as follows.

October 7, 2010, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Oakville Seniors Centre.

October 13, 2010, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Oakville Senior Citizens Residence.

October 15, 2010, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Post Inn Village Long-Term Care Home.

October 20, 2010, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Sir John Colborne Seniors Centre.

November 5, 2010, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Maple Grove United Church.

November 8 & 22, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Acclaim Health Alzheimer Spousal Support Group, St. Paul’s United Church (Caregiver forum).

“Halton Region is interested in the views of seniors,” said Sheldon Wolfson, Commissioner of Social & Community Services for Halton Region. “One of the main responsibilities of the Elder Services Advisory Committee is to investigate and report back to Regional Council on issues of interest to seniors in Halton. The goal of the project is to develop recommendations for age friendly communities that can be shared with Regional Council and the Halton community.”

The age friendly project is based on an approach developed by the World Health Organization that looks at eight aspects of urban living: outdoor spaces and building; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; and community support and health services.

If you would like to participate in a focus group please contact Halton Region by dialing 311 or 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866, TTY 905-827-9833.

The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 450,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; emergency medical services; waste management; public health; Ontario Works (formerly social assistance); children’s and seniors’ services; social/non-profit housing; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development.

For more information, dial 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.