aging in place edmonton’s perspective · aging in place 50 stakeholders attended: health care...

Aging in Place Edmonton’s ApproachPresented by:

Linda Sloan, City CouncillorBrenda Wong, Seniors CoordinatorSheila Hallett, Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council

IFA Conference, September 2008

1

Session Overview1. Overview of Edmonton2. Edmonton’s Seniors

Services3. Highlighting Edmonton’s

Promising Practices for Seniors

4. Sharing Your Community Successes and Learnings

Overview of EdmontonCapital City of Alberta, western CanadaFifth largest municipality in CanadaBlue sky and sunshine through all seasonsA booming, vibrant city that bustles with arts, theatre, cultural events: festivals, world’s largest mall, sports teams

Photo provided by Edmonton.com

Overview of EdmontonCultural Capital of CanadaKnown as Festival City River valley is an enormous band of natural green space 22 times larger than Central Park in New York City, filled with parks and trails

Edmonton’s New VisionEdmonton is a city of:

EnergyDesign - urban, architectural, environmentalDestination that links North America with the Arctic and AsiaRecreation and artsMany cultures, educational opportunities, all political and social orientations

Overview of Edmonton

Current population 730,372Experiencing rapid population growth:

Increased by 15% from 1996 to 2006

Expected to increase by 51% by 2041 0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031 2036 2041

Edmonton Population 1996-2041

Overview on Edmonton

Current issues :

Tight labour market - increased demand for youth and foreign workersIncreasing housing costs, lack of affordable housingRising consumer prices/construction costsIncreasing environmental impacts

Edmonton’s Seniors Demographics 11% of population is age 65 yrs or overSeniors population (55+) is growing:2008 - two of ten 2041 - three of ten

More seniors are coming to Edmonton:8,708 moved to Edmonton6,803 moved away

Edmonton’s Seniors Demographics95% of seniors live in private dwellings5% in long-term care settings

Edmonton’s seniors are diverse, multicultural, multiracial:35% seniors 75 yrs.+ - were born outside of Canada

Edmonton’s Seniors DemographicsFastest growth of older seniors(with 229% increase by 2041)

With aging in place, more seniors in suburbs

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031 2036 2041

Population Projections by Selected Age Group2006-2041

0-19 20-54 55+

Edmonton’s Seniors ServicesCity Council’s Seniors Portfolio

Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council

Community Services Department

Edmonton’s Seniors ServicesSeniors Portfolio

Edmonton’s City Council - focused effort on seniorsLinda Sloan – City Councillor with Seniors Portfolio

Community Services Seniors Coordinator Brenda WongMain City contact for seniors issuesSupports all City departments regarding seniors issues

Edmonton’s Seniors ServicesEdmonton Seniors Coordinating Council

Increases coordination and capacity of organizations providing social support and recreation services to seniorsUnified voice on seniors issues

Central information resource on seniorsAddresses seniors issuesBudget and strategic planning input to City CouncilNon-profit organization which receives civic funding

Promising Practices - Seniors

Aging in PlaceElder AbuseSenior Centres/ ProgramsPersonal Emergency PreparednessSenior Friendly Training

SafetyTransportationDiversityHome Support/ HousingArts FestivalAge Friendly Design

Aging in Place StudyStudy

Understand the needs of older seniors (age 85+)Provide future direction

Methodology12 focus groups of 148 seniors3 stakeholder meetingsInterviews (isolated seniors)SurveyLiterature reviewEnvironmental scan

Aging in Place StudyKey Issues

Transportation Information on services/help navigating systemHome adaptations/housing optionsHelp with personal care, home support servicesHome care/health servicesAge friendly designSupport for immigrant seniors

Aging in Place StudyRecommendations: Next Steps

Aging in Place Pilot Projects in the CommunityReview of Outreach ServicesImplement Seniors Transportation RecommendationsDevelop Implementation Plan: coordinated approach with different levels of government and stakeholders

Aging in Place Pilot Projects

Health Services

Businesses

Informal Neighbourhood

Support

Government

Senior Services

Community Groups

SENIORS

Elder AbuseTV Public Service AnnouncementsElder Abuse Intervention Team (tri-partite team with Edmonton Police, Catholic Social Services and Edmonton Community Services) Seniors Help LineProvincial Financial Abuse Legislation

Support to Senior Centres10 year Funding Strategy for Seniors CentresNew Seniors Centre Grant Program: $1.3 million

OperatingMinor Capital GrantFunding for Emerging Seniors Centres

Seniors Friendly™ TrainingTraining for all Transit and Library staffOngoing training workshops for City staffFirst Canadian municipality to receive “Senior Friendly” certification (for City Hall)

Seniors Critical Response ModelNew coordinated approach to address seniors’ safety needs: Community Services, Police, community groups, SafedmontonNew resourcesPersonal follow-upWorkshops

TransportationTwo Seniors Transportation Roundtables in 2007/2008Follow-up plans

New Assisted Transportation ProjectData BaseSocial MarketingTransit Support/OutreachSidewalk, Crosswalk, Bus Shelter ImprovementsRegional Planning

DiversityWorkshop on needs of refugee and immigrant seniors in 2008Developing new resources for seniors groups Information on cultural groups and helpful strategiesSeniors Community Garden Project (SAGE)

Snow AngelsNew recognition program for community volunteersSeniors nominate volunteer Snow Angels350+ Snow Angels in 2008Angels received letter from Mayor, Snow Angel pins, prizes

Creative Age FestivalEdmonton’s newest festival and one of Canada’s largest arts and aging celebrations

“Seniors who are involved in the arts report improved health, fewer doctor’s visits, decreased use of medication, decreased loneliness and depression, and increased morale.” S. Perlstein, 2008

Festival highlighted seniors’ contributions to the arts and the importance of the arts to older adults

Creative Age FestivalFocused on:

visual arts theatre/performancemusicliterary artsFilm

Attracted over 2,000 participants

www.creativeagefestival.ca

Creative Age FestivalHighlights:

Launch celebrationFree SymposiumTen free art workshopsTwo film events

Creative Age FestivalFour Community Arts CafesArt Gallery – Free AdmissionCalendar of EventsFestival Party

Senior Services Vision Edmonton’s senior serving agencies –designing broad “age friendly” strategic plan

Nine strategic areasCommunity servicesCommunicationSocial participation/ engagementTransportationHealth careSafety/ securityUrban designHousingIncome security

Fire SummitEdmonton 2008

Aging in Place

50 stakeholders attended:

health care providersbuilding ownersdevelopersfire services personnelsafety code consultantscommunity groups

Identified aging in place issues and potential solutions:

building code changes/ improvementsfire safety informationeducation of housing providers, developers, seniorsfunding for fire safety housing improvements

Seniors Falls PreventionEdmonton Emergency Medical Services implemented comprehensive falls prevention initiative in 2007

Targeted to seniors who have had a fall or are at risk of falling

Seniors Falls PreventionProject included:

Creating database of resources and promising practicesEstablishing referral networkParamedic training, assessment, follow-upNew resources - magnets, display panels, resource informationComprehensive evaluationOne year pilot project in 2007/ 2008

Personal Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

Provincial project to research needs of seniors and help prepare them for a disasterAge Friendly training resources

Edmonton was site of 4-month provincial pilot12 seniors trained to deliver workshops to 150 seniorsOngoing program within the City of Edmonton

Seniors Housing ForumHousing adaptations and housing options –essential to positively “age in place”Housing forumsEdmonton Consortium for Seniors Housing

National RoundtableResource information (universal design)Pilot projects with housing developersCoordinated application process/fundingAge friendly design (new housing)

Age Friendly Urban DesignStrategic Plans: Focus Edmonton, SidewalkStrategy, Great Neighborhoods,Walkability, Smart Choices,Transit, Urban Renewal,Bicycle/Transportation Plan

Inclusive age friendly consultation processes

Support Edmonton’s Vision: livable communities, quality of life

Addresses urban design, policy, programs

Age Friendly Urban Design

Walkability Strategy www.edmonton.ca\walkableAudit Tool: physical design, safety, aestheticsCommunities on Foot: neighbourhood walking maps

Community Initiatives Design CharrettesWalking ClubsWalking MapsWorkshops

Contact InformationSheila Hallett

Executive Director, Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council780-423-5635

sheila@seniorscouncil.netwww.seniorscouncil.net

Linda SloanCity Councillor, City of Edmonton

780-496-8122linda.sloan@edmonton.ca

www.edmonton.ca

Brenda WongSeniors Coordinator, City of Edmonton

780-944-0462brenda.wong@edmonton.ca

www.edmonton.ca

Sharing Your Successes and

Learnings!