Age-friendly Peterborough Community Dashboard

Age-friendly Peterborough (AFP) has compiled a list of data related to older adults in the greater Peterborough area.

The objective of the dashboard is to help our community better understand what local older adults need to support healthy aging. It contains a snapshot of data to support the development of projects, initiatives, and resources that address barriers and issues experienced by local older adults. We have posted local Statistics Canada data and results from our 2022 Community Engagement Survey. We will continue to add to the dashboard. Our goal is to provide key demographic and psychographic information to help inform strong grant and research applications, which lead to a stronger age-friendly community.

Community-based Performance Metrics Project

In 2022, AFP in partnership with the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility recruited members for a Performance Metrics Task Force. The Task Force created Community-Based Performance Metrics to answer the question 'What is required to ensure the safety and well-being of seniors in Peterborough?'

Community-Based Performance Metrics are measurable goals that are relevant, meaningful and specific for improving the quality of life for seniors in the Peterborough area. Standardized measurement tools allow organizations to pool data so that the community can learn and benefit from shared experiences. Data from programs developed by senior serving organizations will be posted on the dashboard. Our objective is to measure key performance metrics over time to demonstrate how the greater Peterborough area has worked together to support healthy aging and become a more age-friendly community.

Population Demographics of the Greater Peterborough Area

Demographics: Older Adults in the Greater Peterborough Area

Population of Older Adults Living in the Greater Peterborough Area (2016 and 2021)
Community	Census 2016	Census 2021	% Change 2016-2021
Asphodel-Norwood	900	1,115	19.28%
Cavan-Monaghan	1,685	2,110	20.14%
Curve Lake First Nation	180	265	32.08%
Douro-Dummer	1,365	1,760	22.44%
Havelock-Belmont-Methuen	1,275	1,520	16.12%
Hiawatha First Nation	85	90	5.56%
North Kawartha	690	1,025	32.68%
Otonabee-South Monaghan	1,390	1,695	17.99%
Peterborough	18,100	20,265	10.68%
Selwyn	4,190	5,350	21.68%
Trent Lakes	1,635	2,090	21.77%
Total Peterborough City and County	31,495	37,285	15.53%

(Source: Statistics Canada)

Demographics: Proportion of Seniors in Municipal Populations

Proportion of Seniors in Each Municipal Population
Community	2016	2021
Asphodel-Norwood	22.40%	23.90%
Otonabee-South Monaghan	21.10%	23.90%
Hiawatha First Nation	20.70%	27.70%
Cavan Monaghan	19.30%	21.00%
Peterborough	22.30%	24.20%
Selwyn	24.60%	28.70%
Curve Lake First Nation 35	17.50%	21.50%
Douro-Dummer	20.10%	23.00%
Havelock-Belmont-Methuen	28.00%	29.90%
North Kawartha	27.80%	35.40%
Trent Lakes	30.20%	32.50%

(Source: Statistics Canada)

Age-friendly Peterborough 2022 Community Engagement Survey

Between March and June 2022, Age-friendly Peterborough conducted a community consultation survey and discussion groups to determine how age-friendly the greater Peterborough area is. The survey encouraged older adults to provide input on how the greater Peterborough area can be more age-friendly and what needs to change to support their healthy aging.

Some of the key findings from the survey are included below. You can submit an online request form to request a copy of the complete survey results.

Survey Respondent Demographics

Where survey respondents live
Community	% of Survey Respondents
Township of Asphodel-Norwood	0.90%
Township of Cavan-Monaghan	3.60%
City of Peterborough	65.30%
Township of Douro-Dummer	0.90%
Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen	0.90%
Hiawatha First Nation	0.50%
Township of North Kawartha	0.50%
Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan	2.70%
Township of Selwyn	19.40%
Township of Trent Lakes	4.50%
Curve Lake First Nation	0%
Other	0.90%

Age ranges of survey respondents
Under 55	55-64	65-84	85+
9.00%	29.00%	56.20%	5.00%

Individual after-tax annual income of survey respondents
Less than $19,000	$19,000-$29,999	$30,000-$44,999	$45,000-$99,999	$100,000+
6.90%	13.80%	14.70%	39.20%	7.90%

Basic Needs - Health and Housing

Basic Needs - Housing

We asked respondents questions about where they live, why they live there, and where they envision themselves living in the future.

Top five identified supports to help older adults feel independent and comfortable living at home
Home Renovation Retrofit Programs	Government Rebate Programs	Social Engagement Opportunities	Home Maintenance Services	Not Applicable
27.23%	27.60%	38.01%	33.48%	33.94%

Top five housing options most appealing to older adults
Rental Housing	Retirement Communities	Collective Dwellings	Supportive Collective Dwellings	Home or Condo Ownership
16.67%	26.39%	30.09%	25.93%	72.69%

Top five identified supports to help older adults stay in their preferred housing choice
Home Renovations/Upgrading	Community Engagement Opportunities	Healthcare Supports	Home Maintenance Services	Meal and/or Grocery Delivery Programs
36.36%	40.64%	33.16%	58.29%	25.13%

Other top identified concerns regarding housing in the greater Peterborough area:

Affordability concerns (40%)
Need for more accessible, affordable, innovative, and supportive housing options (28.4%)

Basic Needs - Community Supports and Health Services

We asked respondents questions about how they access local health and social services and how well the services meet their needs.

Top five challenges identified by individuals who are family caregivers
Financial Difficulties	Meeting the Needs of Other Family Members	Receiving Respite Services	Emotional or Mental Distress	Self Care
31.82%	50.00%	38.64%	72.73%	54.55%

Top identified supports and services to help caregivers support their families
Financial Help/Basic Income	Affordable Respite Care	Homecare Supports	Awareness of Available Supports
28.57%	17.86%	17.86%	10.71%

Services older adults need to maintain their health and independence
Transportation	Personal Care Services	Access of Physical and/or Mental Health Services	Home Maintenance Services
36.70%	23.40%	19.86%	14.89%

Barriers older adults face when accessing the services needed to maintain their health and independence
Affordability	Lack of Safe and Reliable Transportation	Lack of Local Healthcare Services and Providers	Unsure Where to Find Services
27.36%	27.36%	11.33%	5.66%

Staying Mobile - Transportation

We asked respondents questions about how they get around the community including the different forms of transportation they use, and how well they meet their needs.

Top five ways older adults get around the community
Walk or Wheel (Wheelchair or Scooter)	Public Transit (bus service)	Bicycle	Drive	Driven by Family/Friends
36.41%	10.14%	17.51%	88.94%	18.89%

Top five transportation barriers experienced by older adults
No Access to Public Transportation	Public Transportation Frequency	Availability of Safe Sidewalks/Trails	Seasonal Access Challenges	Not Applicable
5.67%	15.46%	22.68%	33.51%	42.27%

Biggest unmet transportation needs of older adults
Local Medical Appointments	Out of Town Medical Appointments	Personal Trips	Accessing Public Services	Not Applicable
9.60%	22.22%	10.10%	5.05%	68.69%

What would make active transportation a more appealing choice to older adults?
Dedicated Cycling Infrastructure	Improved Snow/Ice Removal	More Sidewalks	Better Lighting
20.87%	13.91%	13.75%	10.43%

Learning and Contributing - Social Connections, Civic Engagement, Communication and Information

Learning and Contributing - Social Connections

We asked respondents questions about their awareness of, and involvement in community activities.

How older adults connect with others
Telephone	Mobile Phone	E-Mail	Social Media	Video Calls
50.93%	82.41%	91.20%	66.67%	66.20%

How older adults stay physically and mentally active
Community Fitness Classes	Social Clubs	Visit the Library and/or Read	Member at Local Activity Centre	Independent Activities
25.00%	17.59%	51.85%	9.72%	79.63%

What prevents older adults from socializing and/or staying physically active?
Physical/and or Mental Health	COVID/Pandemic Concerns	Transportation	Lack of Available Amenities/Facilities
26.32%	25.26%	9.47%	8.42%

Learning and Contributing - Volunteering and Civic Engagement

We asked respondents questions about their work, both paid and voluntary, and their involvement in the community.

Is continuing to work, whether full-time or part-time, mentoring, or volunteering, important to older adults?
Yes	No	Not Sure
64.00%	28.90%	7.10%

Top five barriers older adults perceive to staying in the workforce
Do Not Want to Work Full Time	Lack of Awareness About Opportunities	Age Discrimination	Lack of Flexible Work Arrangements	Not Applicable
31.86%	15.69%	25.00%	20.59%	41.18%

What limits older adults from volunteering
Lack of Time	Physical and Mental Health	COVID/Pandemic	Unaware of Opportunities	Lack of Transportation
43.27%	18.27%	8.65%	4.81%	3.85%

Learning and Contributing - Communication and Information

We asked respondents questions about how they access news and information about community events and services.

Topics older adults want to know more about
Community Resources	Information on How to Stay Healthy and Well	How to Get More Help to Stay at Home	Signs of Scams and Fraud	Wills and Powers of Attorney	Advanced Care Planning
54.94%	27.16%	36.42%	28%	30%	33%

Top five preferred ways for older adults to get information about programs, services, and resources
Dedicated Information Website for Older Adults	Media	Social Media	Professionals or Service Providers	Events, Workshops, Education Sessions
59.61%	54.19%	51.23%	46.80%	42.86%

Where older adults go to find more information about personal care supports
Local Home Care Organization	Local Older Adult Community Agencies	Family Doctor and/or Health Team	Word of Mouth	Unsure Where to get More Information
57.80%	16.97%	63.85%	34.27%	18.31%

Other top comments and concerns regarding communication and information in the greater Peterborough area:

Information is not easily accessible
Communication through a variety of different media forms is needed
There is a need for in-print resources for those without access to technology