Aging-Well in Haliburton County Barrie Age Friendly Communities Forum October 29, 2009 Angela Van Berlo Health Promoter, HKPR District Health Unit

Introduction to Haliburton County

Community Education and Awareness Exercise Programs Falls Prevention Referral Program VON SMART Program Age-Friendly Haliburton County Communities in Action Committee “Building Healthy Active Rural Communities” Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team HKPR District Health Unit Building Collaboration with Community Partners Partnership with U-Links Centre for Community Based Research Working Together To Prevent Falls Among Older Adults

Haliburton County – Approximately 4000 seniors % of our population is 65+ There are at least 2000 falls in Haliburton County each year among seniors and 800 falls result in fracture. Falls are a major reason for hospitalization, loss of independence and potentially death What We Know…

Winter 2008 Breathe, Stretch and Have Fun Exercise Program at two seniors apartment buildings in Haliburton Village March 2008 Research brought forward the World Health Organization Age-Friendly Communities Framework Goal of creating an Age-Friendly Haliburton County Aging Well in Haliburton County Timeline

May 2008 Created the Aging-Well Committee to give a voice to seniors’ concerns (grown to approx. 16 people) Includes individuals committed to advocating for seniors in the County June 2008 Funding application became available through New Horizons for Seniors Submitted application to fund an Age-Friendly Haliburton County project. Aging Well in Haliburton County Timeline

September 2008 “The bench, donated by Ray and Marilyn Selbie, acts as a rest spot for seniors who walk into town from Echo Hills apartments. It’s located on the steeper section of Highland Street and is just one of the projects that the Aging Well Committee is helping to promote for seniors. Matt James – Haliburton Echo”

Aging Well Haliburton County Timeline February 2009 Received funding from New Horizons for $25,000 Link with the Communities in Action Committee to create a “Healthy, Active, Age-Friendly Community” Partnered with U-Links Centre for Community Based Research to assist in project research May 2009 Survey Design U-Links Centre for Community Based Research – Trent University Student to assist with survey design, methodology, data collection and analysis Committee Input Quality of Life Survey – Chilliwack Social Research and Planning Council Friendly to Seniors Program, City of Greater Sudbury

June 2009 Launch project - Seniors Seminar –Promotion –Survey distribution Aging Well Haliburton County Timeline

A community where policies, services, settings and structures support and enable people to age actively by: -Recognizing their wide range of capacities, talents and gifts -Responding to their needs and preferences -Respecting their decisions and lifestyle choices -Protecting those most vulnerable -Promoting their inclusion in, and contribution to, all areas of community life Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors. (2007). Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities: A Guide. p. 5. What is a Healthy, Active Age-Friendly Community?

A healthy, active community is… …a place where people of all ages and abilities can interact, participate and contribute …a great place to live and visit …a healthy place to live, work, learn and play Which leads to… …more visitors …healthier people …economic vitality …cleaner environment (Healthy, Active Communities Roundtable, 2008)

1.To assess the social and physical environment of Haliburton County based on the 8 key features from the World Health Organizations Age-Friendly Cities Framework 2.To identify current initiatives and opportunities that create an environment for active, positive aging. 3.To identify key priority areas in creating an age-friendly community – through focus testing, survey and community walk ability assessments. 4.To increase awareness of key priority areas for seniors to maintain active, healthy and productive lives within their communities 5.To produce a practical tool to be used among decision makers and community stakeholders. It will form a framework with recommendations to guide advocacy, community development and policy changes to create a Healthy, Active Age-Friendly Haliburton County. Objectives for the project

Implementation Plan Increasing Awareness Keep it local! - Hired local graphic designer to create ads for newspapers Ads in 3 local newspapers Press release issued Local Story for newspaper Radio interview with local radio stations Presentations to 4 Municipal Councils in May/June 2009 Designated Municipal Liaisons

Survey Distribution and Data Collection County-wide distribution –Seniors groups –Apartment Buildings –Medical/Health Centre –Organizations and Agencies (Community Care) –Committee Meetings (Nutrition) – lists –Drop Off/Pick Up Locations Health Unit, Family Health Team Offices, Medical Centres, County of Haliburton Office, Community Care, Libraries Online survey To date – 354 written + 94 online = 448 completed! Implementation

Focus Groups Keep it Local! - Hired consultant – Fay & Associates ( Inclusion Research Method 4 Municipalities – 1 Host/Hostess for each Community - Dysart (Monday, October 19) Sir Sanford Fleming College - Highlands East (Tuesday, October 20) Lloyd Watson Centre in Wilberforce - Algonquin Highlands (Thursday, October 22) Club 35 in Halls Lake - Minden Hills (Friday, October 30) OPP Detachment in Minden Analysis Day – to analyze research and create priority areas (County- wide and for each Municipality) Press Release Implementation

Sustaining Awareness in the Community Newspaper articles – Haliburton Echo/Minden Times to highlight the 8 key topic areas Open Houses to inform public Aging Well – The Personal Experience U-Links Project to supplement the research Collection of Personal Interviews from older adults in the community Future Project… Walkability Assessment Implementation

Taking Action Advocacy Presentations to council Using the plans to advocate for change Linking with current initiatives and plans Input into County Official Plan Review/Municipal Official Plans **Winter Snow Removal** Committee members want to take action before snowfall Moving forward with an action plan Contacted representative from the Haliburton Business Improvement Association and Dysart et. al municipal council Attend BIA meeting to voice concerns

Final Thoughts… Find the common links in your area –Find partners (Make Friends) –Who’s working on similar projects? –Who has a similar mandate? –Is there a committee you can join? Talk to older adults/seniors! –Find out who they are, what they like/dislike –Do they have concerns about aging? Find out who the decision makers are –Have a conversation with them – share your ideas Research –Find out what has already been started and adapt –Go to the Age Friendly Communities Website:

Thank You! Ed Muenzel Ginger Muenzel Art Wall Bob Stinson Aileen Bruce June Stewart Miles Roberts Robert Young Bob Penfold Mary Pearsell Diana McCullough Marjorie Cartwright Jean Hutchinson Angela Van Berlo Carol Browne U-Links Centre for Community Based Research Aging Well Committee Members For More Information Please Contact: Angela Van Berlo (705) ext. 239