Looking at concrete age-friendly measures reveals the extent to which age-friendly cities benefit everyone. For example, by applying an age friendly lens to the design of built environments, governments can maximize the utility of public spaces and avoid the expense of retrofitting buildings in the future. Similarly, creating affordable and accessible transit helps prevent sedentary living amongst older people and allows communities and the local economy to benefit from the financial and social contribution of older adults. Finally, programs that support social participation and inclusion ease the stress of families caring for their older relatives and allow for the kind of work and volunteering on the part of older people that helps build strong communities. These proposals benefit not just older people, but women, children, families and the taxpayer. To put it simply, urban spaces that work for older people, work for everyone. The good news is that Municipal leaders are beginning to catch on to this idea.
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June is Seniors’ Month in Ontario and the theme in 2009 was Age Friendly Communities. Over a dozen initiatives have sprung up around the province. Seven regional dialogues were held last fall to inspire local action while the francophone community undertakes a similar effort. www.ontarioseniors.ca/ Eight Essential Features of an Age-Friendly Community
1. Outdoor spaces and public buildings that are pleasant, clean, secure and physically accessible.
2. Public transportation that is accessible and affordable.
3. Housing that is affordable, appropriately located, well built, well designed and secure.
4. Opportunities for social participation in leisure, social, cultural and spiritual activities with people of all ages and cultures.
5. Older people are treated with respect and are included in civic life.
6. Opportunities for employment and volunteerism that cater to older persons’ interests and abilities.
7. Age-friendly communication and information available.
8. Community support and health tailored to older persons’ needs. http://www.seniorsincommunities.ca/age-friendly/
We were represented on the recent update of the North Bay official plan and ensured Zoomer issues were considered at each step of it’s development
IdeaCity!!! CARP National President, Moses Znaimer offered complimentary video access to ideaCity via high-speed internet to all CARP Chapters across Canada. IdeaCity, also known as ‘Canada’s Premiere Meeting of the Minds’, is an eclectic gathering of artists, adventurers, authors, cosmologists, doctors, designers, entertainers, filmmakers, inventors, magicians, musicians, scientists and technologists. Fifty of the planet’s brightest minds converge each June to speak to a highly engaged audience. Only 700 are privileged to attend in person.
Produced and presented by Moses Znaimer, ideaCity is not themed around any one topic, issue or business. There are no scripted speeches or, breakout or parallel sessions. Rather, everyone is in one place and in on the same narrative.
Visit http://www.ideaCityonline.com for more information and links to videos from the past 10 years of the Conference. We’ve been asked to arrange for the streaming of the conference to our local university and are looking into the logistics.
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DID YOU KNOW? – Scientists at Boston University have discovered the genetic code for longevity, and have said a public test will be available this year to determine if you can live to 100 years.
