Age-friendly Peterborough
Our communities are aging. In Peterborough, individuals over the age of 65 account for over 20% of our regional population. The shift towards an older population will have profound implications for individuals, families, and communities. With this shift also comes opportunity for community building and social development.
This Age-friendly Peterborough Community Action Plan identifies a clear path forward to enhance programs, services, and infrastructure for older adults in the Peterborough region; including the City and County of Peterborough, and the Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.
The Plan identifies four goals:
- Older adults' basic needs are met
- Older adults are able to get around the community
- Older adults are supported to build and maintain relationships
- Older adults have the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute
Age-friendly Peterborough Impact Report: 2017-2020
The Age-friendly Peterborough 2017-2020 Impact Report highlights accomplishments of Age-friendly Peterborough including our partners since the release of the 2017 Community Action Plan. We recognize some "Champions of Change" and how they have helped the greater Peterborough area become more age-friendly. In the report, Age-friendly Peterborough acknowledges the support we have received from our network partners and volunteers, funders and sponsors, and older adults who have participated in our projects.
Social Isolation to Social Connection is a partnership project that was built on the AFP Health and Housing Navigation Study. The health and social services, and housing inventory is expected to be available to the community in June. Social Isolation to Social Connection projected the needs of older adults in the future and proposed promising practices. The Social Isolation Task Force thanks the research team, collaborators, funders, and seniors, family and formal caregivers who shared their stories with us. Special thanks to Trent Centre for Aging and Society for their support by highlighting the project in a video. www.trentu.ca/aging/research
Research was gathered through:
- Senior and their caregiver interviews about their experiences with social isolation
- Social isolation reports and documents
- Community member and provider discussion about what is needed to reduce the negative physical, mental, and social impacts of the pandemic
View a summary of the Social Isolation to Social Connection project. If you would like to review the full document, please email jculbert@peterborough.ca As a result of the research, ten recommendations were developed. These include advocating for additional support for seniors to age at home and enhanced social and physical activities; advocating for affordable, supportive, communal housing options; promoting local programs and services available including transportation options and technology support; and providing communication about public health guidelines and health care.
Age-friendly Peterborough Newsletter and Service Directory – COVID-19 edition
Age-friendly Peterborough is working diligently with our community partners to ensure that older adults who live in the greater Peterborough area have access to the most updated information on available resources and services, and ways to connect with their neighbours if they require support or want to assist those in need. Our goal is, as a community, to help everyone remain safe, stay well and continue to be connected while we remain apart.
Age-friendly Peterborough and our community partners have collaborated to provide this May newsletter to older adults who live in the Greater Peterborough area. In it you will find contact information and resources intended to assist you with:
- Staying Well
- Accessing Food and Medication
- Support for Family Caregivers
- Home Support Services
- Staying Safe
- Housing
- Transportation
- Staying Active and Connected
- How You Can Help
- Service Directory
The newsletter can be viewed below. There are direct links to an organization’s website and resources embedded in the newsletter. Click on the link below (blue lettering) to go directly to that site.
Download accessible and printable version of Age-friendly Peterborough Newsletter-Covid 19 Edition eBook
Perhaps you know someone else who may benefit from this newsletter. We would encourage you to have a Neighbour for Neighbour mindset and pass the information along to someone who may find it helpful. It may be the lifeline they need.
If you or your neighbour require an in-print newsletter, please email Jayne Culbert, Age-friendly Coordinator at jculbert@peterborough.ca and one will be mailed to you.
We are providing the most up-to-date information at the time of release. This newsletter will be updated as information changes, please visit the website often.
Neighbours for Neighbours: Supporting our Local Seniors
Bring back a sense of community and be Neighbours for Neighbours. If you know a senior who lives in your neighbourhood, think about how you can make their day.
Write a letter and put it in their mailbox introducing yourself, how you can help and include your phone number. Can you pick up groceries? Do yard work? Walk a dog? Call for a daily check-in? Use the Neighbour card.
The hope is that once COVID-19 passes we will have a stronger community and there will be more opportunities for connections. Neighbours for Neighbours is a way of life.
We shared the Neighbour for Neighbours concept with Peterborough This Week, “Leave a Note Offering to Help a Senior in Peterborough”
Age-friendly Peterborough Advisory Committee
The Age-friendly Peterborough Advisory Committee is implementing the Age-friendly Peterborough Community Action Plan through a community-based collaborative that brings together local governments, First Nations, organizations, businesses, and older adults with the goal of building a more inclusive, respectful, and accessible community for our aging population.
Working groups
We have four working groups that focus on the four goals of the Plan.
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Basic needs: Health and housing
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Strategic directions
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A diverse housing supply
Diversifying the housing stock in our region will provide the infrastructure necessary to support aging in place.
Appropriate housing choices
Ensuring a diversity of housing choices can support older adults to select and transition to appropriate housing as needed.
Supports to age in place
Providing a range of supports, including home maintenance and in-home care, can help older adults to remain in their homes for as long as possible.
Health care on time and in place
Increasing the availability and coordination of health care across the region will enhance older adults' ability to access appropriate and timely care.
Diverse community support programs
Community support programs that go beyond primary health care recognize and respond to the unique needs of older adults.
Enhanced support services for vulnerable older adults
Some older adults, especially those living in poverty, may benefit from specific programs and services to help them as they age.
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Current activities
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Health and Housing Navigation Study*
The goal of the Study is to improve awareness of and access to housing and health resources now and into the future for our aging population. Age-friendly Peterborough will use these resources to assist local seniors, their care-givers, and families to find the appropriate health services and housing accommodations so they may stay in their homes as long as possible.
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Staying mobile
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Strategic directions
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Affordable and flexible rural transportation options
Rural transportation options help older adults access services, and take part in social activities, supporting them to remain in their community of choice as they age.
Improved public transit in the City of Peterborough
Reliable, affordable, accessible, and convenient public transit systems increase older adults' mobility and ability to travel independently in the community.
A safe and well-maintained road network
Well-maintained roads with enhanced safety features can support older adults to travel safely and confidently throughout the region.
A Safe, well-maintained, and connected active transportation network
Active transportation infrastructure supports people to remain active as they age.
Adequate, accessible parking
Accessible parking can enable older adults to complete daily tasks, run errands, and easily access services.
Complete community design
Communities that include a mix of housing, services, and recreation spaces support older adults to remain in their community of choice as they age.
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Current Activities
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Walkability Assessments*
The purpose of the Walks is to identify physical features in a specific area, such as a stretch of sidewalk or municipal park, which may be barriers for older adults to use and enjoy. The Walks also identify opportunities of enhancement to these areas that would improve the accessibility and enjoyment of the area by older adults.
Transit Training
The goal of the Transit Training program is to improve the mobility of older adults by increasing their ridership on Peterborough Transit. This will be done by increasing awareness of transit and reducing barriers to the service.
Rural Transportation Initiative
The Township of Selwyn will receive a 5-year grant of $1.488 million starting in 2019 from the Ministry of Transportation to implement a rural transportation program that services the Township of Selwyn, Curve Lake First Nation and the City of Peterborough. Community Care Peterborough is also a partner in this program.
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Building relationships
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Strategic directions
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Vibrant downtown commercial areas
Commercial areas that are accessible, vibrant, and welcoming can support older adults to engage in the social, civic, and economic lives of their communities.
Age-friendly parks and community facilities
Parks and community facilities that include age-friendly amenities and features can support older adults to remain socially connected and active as they age.
Outreach to isolated older adults
Older adults may experience periods of social isolation; outreach and engagement programs can support these individuals to re-engage in their communities or mitigate the negative effects of isolation.
Intergenerational programming
Fostering intergenerational connections can support older adults to build and maintain lasting relationships and dispel myths and misperceptions about aging and older adulthood.
Diverse representations of aging
Recognizing the diversity of individuals' identities and experiences as they age creates an inclusive environment for older adults of varied cultures, races, genders, sexual orientation, abilities, and economic circumstances.
Age-friendly businesses
Businesses with accessible features and age-friendly customer service will empower older adults to confidently purchase services and products.
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Current activities
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Age-friendly Business Program
The goal of this Program is to improve and increase the experiences older adults have with local businesses and organizations. Important factors that help make a business age-friendly include: better customer service, accessibility enhancements, and more employment opportunities.
We want older adults to have improved access to the local goods and services they need while increasing the customer base and revenue of local businesses.
Digital Story Telling
This project will see older adults make short 2-3 minute digital videos with the objective of bringing life experiences and stories to video and the world of aging. It is anticipated that these stories will begin to shift stereotypes of aging.
This is a research project being led by Dr. Nadine Changfoot, professor in Political Studies at Trent University.
Combating Isolation Initiative
Isolation is being recognized as a serious social and health issue facing a growing number of older adults. Age-friendly Peterborough is taking initial steps toward developing a strategy for combating isolation in partnership with local service providers who work in this area.
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Learning and contributing
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Strategic directions
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Accessible public meetings and events
Accessible meetings and events support older adults to remain active and engaged as they age.
Support for volunteerism
Well-coordinated and well-promoted volunteer opportunities can help older adults identify and engage in roles that align with their skills and interests.
Diverse and flexible employment opportunities
Flexible employment opportunities support older adults to remain employed in appropriate roles as they age.
Transparent and participatory decision-making
Transparent and participatory decision-making processes empower older adults to contribute their unique perspectives, experiences, and skills to decision-making processes.
Access to information
Making information readily accessible in a variety of formats will help older adults obtain the information they need to remain engaged and informed.
Life-long learning opportunities
Providing education and learning opportunities for older adults allows individuals to continue to learn and grow as they age.
Diverse social and recreation opportunities
Access to a variety of social and recreational opportunities can support older adults to remain socially engaged as they age.
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Current activities
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Summit on Aging
The Summit on Aging is our annual one-day conference that provides an educational experience addressing issue related to aging. Past Summits have focused on topics including: dementia; healthcare and technology; metal well-being; and housing. In 2019 we are focusing on legal and medical issues.
Seniors Showcase
The Seniors Showcase is an annual event where we bring together over 100 business and organizations to promote their products and services related to aging. We also host many workshops on topics important to aging. At past events workshop topics have included: being good to your brain; Tai Chi; medical assistance in dying; depression and anxiety; decluttering; and chair yoga to name a few.
The event takes place every June at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre in partnership with the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.
Age-friendly Report*
This program will develop videos that explore important issues related to aging. The videos will educate on key topics, showcase local services relevant to the topics, and encourage engagement of local seniors on the topics. Once complete, the videos will be broadcast on YourTV (formerly Cogeco) and online through social media.
Recreation, Leisure, and Facilities Study*
This main goal of this study is to develop a strategy that will lead to improved access, awareness, and participation among older adults in the recreation and leisure opportunities available in the City, County, Townships and First Nations. This strategy is scheduled to be ready in June 2019.
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* These projects have received funding support from the United Way of Peterborough and District.
These Working Groups are open to public and we welcome new volunteers who are interested in making a difference in the community by implementing the Age-friendly Peterborough Community Action Plan.
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