county of simcoe 1110 highway 26, toll free 1-866-893-9300 ... · county of simcoe 1110 highway 26,...

County of Simcoe 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst, ON L0L 1X0

Main Line 705-726-9300 Toll Free 1-866-893-9300 Fax 705-792-5743 simcoe.ca

MINUTES

SUBJECT: Age-Friendly Community Project Steering Committee MEETING DATE: June 21, 2016 TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. LOCATION: Simcoe County District School Board – Georgian Room (1170 Highway 26, Midhurst, ON L0L 1X0) CHAIR: Jane Sinclair, General Manager, Health and Emergency Services ATTENDANCE:

Christina Strong, Public Education Trainer, Independent Living Services Simcoe Connie Sheridan, Administrator, Georgian Manor Denise Hayes, General Manager, Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce Elizabeth Ozga, Divisional Controller, Finance, County of Simcoe Gayle Hall, Chief Librarian, County of Simcoe Jim Gough, Senior's Representative Joanne Lane, Accessibility Consultant, County of Simcoe Kelly Swift-Jones, Museum, County of Simcoe Kevin Beaulieu, Executive Director, Public Interest Strategy & Communications Laura-Lynn Bourassa, Alzheimer’s Society Linda Flemington, Chair, CARP, Georgian Bay Margaret Adolphe, Seniors Representative Mary Small Brett, Councillor, County of Simcoe Melissa Mei, Planning, Integration, Evaluation & Community Engagement, NSM LHIN Ron Coutts, Senior's Representative Rosslyn Junke, United Way Greater Simcoe County Sandi Robinson, Real Estate Manager, Procurement, Fleet & Property, County of Simcoe Sarah Orr-Shaw, Public Health Nurse, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Scott Warnock, Councillor, County of Simcoe Susan Plewes, Community Representative Guests: Pam Hillier, Executive Director, Community Connection Regrets: Asa Klint-Piggott, Coordinator, Research and Project Management David Parks, Director of Planning, Development & Tourism, County of Simcoe Emma Dickson, Public Interest Strategy & Present Communications Georgina Veldhorst, Senior Director Planning, Integration & Community Engagement, Central LHIN Greg Bishop, General Manager, Social & Community Services, County of Simcoe Heather Hollingshead, Regional Services Coordinator, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario Karen Taillefer, Vice President, Patient Services, NSM CCAC Meredith Morison, Deputy Chief, Quality Programs, County of Simcoe Paramedic Services Dr. Bella Kogan Tom Johnston, Branch Manager, Seniors for Seniors (Simcoe-Muskoka)



1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS (Jane Sinclair, Chair) Jane Sinclair, General Manager of Health and Emergency Services welcomed the group and provided a brief overview of the day.

2.0 APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented.

3.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the May 17th meeting were approved as presented.

4.0 WHAT’S HAPPENING (local community initiatives) - ROUNDTABLE A roundtable discussion took place regarding local community initiatives. A summary of the discussions are below:

a) A new Family Doctor has been hired in Victoria Harbour, running a clinic two (2) days per week and has joined the Family Health Team.

b) A motion was passed at a Township of Tay Council meeting to plow and

sand all sidewalks in the Township of Tay in Winter 2017.

c) A discussion took place regarding communication and the use of social media and websites to communicate Age-Friendly information. The County Libraries will add a County of Simcoe Age-Friendly link to their websites. The Briar Criar (news publication) has offered to market information pertaining to the Age-Friendly Simcoe County initiative. Fallpreventioninfo.ca has also offered to promote the Age-Friendly initiative on their website.

d) The Town of Collingwood is working to make curbs accessible. The issue of

cabs/taxi’s not being able to transport scooters has been raised with the Province of Ontario. Accessibility Committee members have been visiting old buildings in Collingwood to see if ramps are required.

e) CARP recently hosted a seminar with hospice and the hospital on dementia.

f) Elizabeth to email Christy a copy of her Age-Friendly Research Paper for

posting on the County’s Age-Friendly website.

g) Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is currently accepting applications from organizations interested in receiving funding from the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) to support capital costs of construction and renovations related to improving physical accessibility and safety for people with disabilities in Canadian communities and workplaces. The deadline for submissions is July 26, 2016

Elizabeth to email research paper to Christy for website. Joanne to post link to grant on County website.



(http://www.edsc.gc.ca/eng/disability/eaf/index.shtml). Joanne to post a link on the County’s website and send notification to municipalities.

h) The Simcoe Muskoka Integrated Falls Strategy is looking to partner with a

Long Term Care Home in Barrie to host a viewing of the Cyber Seniors video in November. High schools and senior’s communities will be invited to the event.

i) There is an initiative underway in the County that is looking to develop new

sections of recreational trails to create linkages between communities. It was also discussed that there may be opportunities for funding this initiative through cycling initiatives.

j) A discussion took place regarding the importance of linkages between

organizations to avoid replication of projects and initiatives. Each month Christy will highlight local age-friendly community initiatives on the County’s age-friendly website (simcoe.ca/age-friendly).

Christy to highlight local initiatives/good news stories on AFC website.

5.0 COMMUNITY CONNECTION & 211 PRESENTATION

Community

Connection Presentation.pptx Pam Hillier, Executive Director of Community Connection provided the attached presentation on Community Connection and 211. Community Connection is an accredited non-profit community information and referral agency whose mandate is to connect people and organizations with information and resources. Community Connection serves the Collingwood area and is one (1) of seven (1) organizations networked to provide 211 services to all of Ontario. 211 is a free, confidential, three digit phone number that helps people find services in their community. 211 is answered by trained Community Navigators who use a continually updated database to provide information and connect callers with needed services.

211 has the capability to track caller needs and report statistics to organizations. The 211 website will be rebuilt in the upcoming year with help from the province of Ontario to make more user friendly. A discussion took place regarding the Home for Life program in South Georgian Bay. Home for Life rrecruits and trains volunteers to provide friendship and support to individuals and couples helping them to remain independent and confident in their home as long as possible. Home for Life's volunteers provide one time, occasional and on-going activities such as friendly visiting, social outings, laundry assistance, grocery shopping, transportation, yard & lawn help and computer training.

http://www.edsc.gc.ca/eng/disability/eaf/index.shtml



A discussion took place regarding Volunteer Connection (www.volunteerconnection.ca). Through the volunteer centre, Community Connection promotes and supports volunteerism in an effort to connect all people to volunteer opportunities. Services include a referral and matching service for volunteer placement within the community for all ages, education and support for volunteers and community service agencies and organizations through topic and issue related workshops, and community outreach. Community Connection is a member of the Volunteer Coordinators Network of South Georgian Bay, and is a recognized Volunteer Centre with the Ontario Volunteer Centres Network. The Volunteer Centre is working to streamline processes by creating a volunteer passport. The volunteer passport will eliminate the need for multiple organizations to maintain copies of volunteer driver documents such as licenses, insurance, abstracts as well as eliminate the duplicate activity of screening the same volunteers. Anyone volunteer with a passport will be capable of volunteering at participating organizations. The expected launch date for the passport program is Fall 2016. It was discussed that in countries such as Japan and London, when people serve as volunteers they earn credits which can be used by them to obtain similar services when they are need. A link to Community Connection and 211 will be placed on the County of Simcoe Age-Friendly website. It was also suggested that 211 should be promoted on utility bills, visitor guide books and County of Simcoe maps.

Christy to add link to 211 on County AFC website.

6.0 UPDATE ON FOCUS GROUPS Kevin provided an overview on the Focus Groups conducted to date. During the interview the following were suggested as being priorities or gaps in the community: communication and information and transportation. The attached presentation details feedback from focus group participants.

Focus Group

PowerPoint - June 21.pptx A discussion took place regarding the use of mobi-mats on beaches and alternative devices. The City of Orillia was named as an example of using alternative devices as they lay down frost fence to allow individuals with assistive devices to access the beach.

7.0 NEW BUSINESS

No new business.

8.0 NEXT MEETING:

The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

9.0 ADJOURNMENT: 12:00 p.m.

http://www.volunteerconnection.ca/

Age‐Friendly Community Project Steering CommitteeJune 21st, 2016

CommunityInformation Centre

Established 1969

Community information and referral service organizations connect people with resources that can help them

211 is a free, 24/7 helplinethat connects people to community, social, healthand government servicesin their communities

211 – public information & referral services

311 ‐ non‐emergency municipal government services

411 ‐ directory assistance

511 – roads and traveler information

611 ‐ telephone company repair service

711 ‐message relay for telephone devices for the deaf

811 ‐ non‐urgent health care telephone triage services

911 ‐ emergency police, fire and ambulance

This list is the current N11s assigned in Canada

Not all assigned N11s are in place across Canada

N11s are assigned to a service not an organization

N11s access services of universal social value

The CRTC Assigns Three‐digitPhone Numbers called N11s

Canada60% or 20 million Canadians

Current Population Served by 211

United States 90% or 283 million Americans

The 211 Ontario Network

6

Central East Region is served byCommunity Connection in Collingwood

Seven Regional Service Partners serve Ontario

Ontario 211 Services (based in Toronto) provides oversight and coordination for the Ontario system; reports to Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services

36 Data Partners across Ontario share local data to support 211 service delivery

211 Service Every Day

Public Inquiry Online Directories Caller Needs

Why people call

I hope you can help.

Hydro has disconnected me.

I already applied for LEAP funding and no one has called me.

I don’t know what to do.

Yes, hi. I’m calling from the medical clinic. I’m calling regarding a adult male patient who’s saying that he’s a victim of abuse. If I give him the phone, can you discuss his options for support services?

Hello. I just need help finding the phone number for the library.

Hello. I got your number from the Red Cross.

So, our sewage line in the back yard ruptured and we’re not able to live in the house now.

And, I have three kids and a dog and I don’t know what to do.

Oh, hi. I am looking for a day program for my mother….

Hello. Can you tell me where the nearest walk‐in clinic is that is open tonight?

Good morning. What is there for a senior citizen to do? I am so lonely.

Hello, I’ve been served some legal papers, and the court office gave me this number to find a legal aid attorney.

Hello, I’m trying to find out if my father qualifies for dental assistance.

His teeth are really bad and he has trouble eating.

Hello, I’m going to court today for an eviction, and I need some help with rent assistance.

I can’t take much more. I don’t have much time left for those pills to kick in.

Hello, I’m trying to find affordable home care for my dad. He needs help getting up in the morning, and I have to be at work for 6 a.m. and I can’t be there.

Hello, I was told you can help me find a residential program for substance abuse.

Yes. Hi. I was just laid off from my work and I was wondering what services there are for finding jobs or maybe re‐training classes?

Range of Caller Needs

46% ‐ information only44% ‐ information & referrals6% ‐ information & assistance 4% ‐ complex

Integrated Human Services Database

Central East Ontario 15,000+ listings9 data partners11,000 uploaded to 211Ontario.ca3,500 uploaded to nsmhealthline.ca Anyone can suggest

changes or new listings for any online

directory

Once changes are published, the listing

is updated within each online directory

where it appears

Custom Online Directories40+ online directoriesCommunityReach.cainfoSimcoeCounty.caFoodinSimcoeCounty.caFallsPreventionINFO.ca…

Simcoe Muskoka listings:NSMHealthLine.ca

Simcoe Muskoka ListingsCCAC Custom Online DirectoriesMental Health at SchoolCaregiverexchange.caBehaviour supports OntarioHealth Care OptionsChronic Disease Prevention & Management

211Ontario.ca60,000+ listings35 data partners

Provincial Online DirectoriesEmploymentOntario.caSettlement.org…

2015/2016 – Calls to 211 from Simcoe Muskoka14,381 Contacts Answered

Simcoe County Caller Needs#1 Health Services#2 Individual & Family Services#3 Legal#4 Housing#5 Information Services#6 Income Support/Assistance #7 Transportation#8 Utility Assistance#9 Mental Health & Addictions#10 Food/Meals

Muskoka District Caller Needs#1 Health Services#2 Individual & Family Services#3 Legal#4 Utility Assistance#5 Housing#6 Transportation#7 Information Services#8 Government#9 Mental Health/Addictions#10 Income Support/Assistance

It’s Official – Community Connection is now a

Volunteer CentreRecognized by the Ontario Volunteer Centres Network

Collaborate to CentralizePublic Access to Volunteer Resources

Collaborate to Create aShared Database of Volunteers

Let’s eliminate the need for multiple organizations to maintain copies of volunteer driver documents, such as license, insurance, and drivers abstracts

Let’s follow the highest standards for screening, police checks, and reference interviews

Let’s eliminate the duplicate activity of screening the same volunteers

Collaborate to Create Shared Volunteer Training Opportunities

Questions ?Pamela Hillier, Executive DirectorCommunity Connection/211 Central East OntarioCollingwood, Ontario705.444.0040 x [email protected]

Focus Group Summary

Delivered to the Age-Friendly Simcoe County Steering Committee

Tuesday June 21, 2016

Outline of presentation

• What the focus groups looked like

• 8 dimensions

2

Focus Groups• Held 10 Focus Groups to date

• Data included here is from 6 analyzed groups

– Victoria Harbour, Bayshore, Sandy Cove, Stayner, urban Aboriginals in Midland, and caregivers

• Represents 44 participants, average of 7 per group

• Each Focus group explored the 8 dimensions of an age-friendly community, with questions tailored to the specific area, or area of expertise

• Each interview was transcribed and recorded, and answers were coded to identify the top issues

3

Communication and Information

• Most common sources of information identified included:

– Local newspapers and magazines

– Newsletters, pamphlets, posters

– Online webpages and e-bulletins

– Word of mouth through existing organizations

– Local Radio

• Some immediately recycled newsletters, pamphlets, posters. Not used

4

Communication and Information

• Most common barrier across all dimensions was lack of information and communication

• The need for a central repository was raised several times as a recommendation

– Quarterly publication for seniors’ resources

– Designated community offices with these resources available

– Accessible monthly calendars

5

Transportation• Seniors draw on support from family,

neighbours and friends, as well as Red Cross, VON and other medical appointment services

• Rely on personal vehicles, either cars or alternatives such as scooters, golf carts, bikes etc.

– Taxis and accessible buses were also mentioned in some communities

• More difficult in winter6

Transportation• Second most commonly raised concern

– Few options, expensive, often needs to be covered by social benefits (ODSP etc.)

• Priority is to get into major centres (Barrie, Orillia).

• There is an awareness of bus pilot projects and enthusiasm for town-to-town links

– Apprehension that it will not attract sufficient ridership

7

Community Support and Health Services• Many communities expressed a need for

doctors and specialists

– Clearview Township was a notable exception

• Home care services were recognized as valuable by many– Concerned about CCAC closing and cut-backs– Acknowledged need for greater support for

home care workers and PSWs– Caregiver burnout impacts mental

health and social inclusion

8

Community Support and Health Services• Transportation was noted as a major barrier

– Care givers noted that lack of information around available services was a barrier as well

• 211 identified as a valuable source of information

– Nearly as many suggested they had either never heard of 211, or that it was not well known

• Safety was not a significant concern

– General impression was that problems came from outside the community

9

Housing• Seniors’ housing is ‘formidably expensive’

– Retirement residences, long-term care homes

– Difficult to maintain home

– More difficult after dependants lose their spouse and source of income

• Lack of rental stock

• Strong urge for alternatives to home ownership

– Condos, affordable life lease, assisted living, in-law suites

10

Housing• Appetite for mixed market housing

– Mixed income, mixed stock

• Frustration that housing stock is inaccessible

– County should incentivize mixed and accessible housing (rather than mandate ramps, bars etc.)

• Seniors do not want to move out of their communities and want more support to stay

– Access to grants for age-friendly retrofits

– Additional Rent-geared-to-income properties

11

Outdoor Spaces

• Many properties have green space

• Conflicted on accessibility of green space

– Level grade paths and parks centrally located were considered accessible.

– Uneven pavement, poor lighting, distance and parking restrictions were identified as barriers

– Mobi-mats raised as valuable resources for accessing the beach

12

Mobi-mats

13

Outdoor Spaces

• Lack of public washrooms, water fountains, benches and seating in shaded areas was raised

• Lack of audible traffic signals, poor signage

14

Buildings

• Old buildings in small communities are difficult to retrofit

– Current system does not do enough to offset the expense

– Buildings were not designed to be accessible

• Public buildings, large commercial buildings and churches were identified as structures that are increasingly accessible

• Elevators are not common in smaller towns

15

Civic Participation and EmploymentEmployment

• Those who work are often in retail shops and chain restaurants. Commonly part time.

– Wal mart, Tim Hortons, Home Hardware, Harvey’s raised as examples

– Displacing youth in some cases

• Gig work was also common.

– Landscaping, construction, window cleaning

16

Civic Participation and EmploymentVolunteering

• Feeling that communities are self-starting and self-propelled

– Many elements of Simcoe communities depend on and are unsustainable without volunteers and volunteer initiatives

– Plenty of volunteer opportunities available

17

Civic Participation and Employment• Initiatives are often driven by core group of

volunteers

– Engagement is driven by personal relationships

– Volunteering seen as a highly enriching experience

– Burnout and high turnover rate was very common, most communities encountered difficulties replacing volunteers

• Lack of consensus regarding inclusion in local governance

18

Social Participation

• Churches, libraries and service clubs raised as major hubs for social participation

– Bingo, cards, health related groups, arts and culture, festivals, hunting and angling groups

• Existing communities support each other

– Carpool, share food, share information

• Perpetual challenge to attract participants

– Difficult to travel between towns

– If you feed them they will come

19

Respect and Social Inclusion• Some identified social isolation as a problem,

while others acknowledged that it is difficult to know

– Cost of transit and fees, lack of mobility and information identified as significant factors

– Depression was cited as result of isolation

• Churches, service clubs help to foster social inclusion and fight isolation

• Communities did not typically feel connected to adjacent communities

20

Respect and Social Inclusion

• Barriers to inclusion included lack of information, lack of mobility, technology, cost and lack of mental health supports

• Adult children matter

– Children and families can help foster respect and support aging

– Often move away

• Repeatedly suggested that community members should be celebrated more to help foster a deeper appreciation

21


First Nations, Metis, Inuit

• Appreciate increased acknowledgement of First Nations land and culture

• Lack of communal public spaces that accommodate smudging, powwows, sweat lodges etc.

• Youth are disrespectful toward elders, though this is improving

– Intergenerational programs help

22


• Health system risks alienating Aboriginal seniors by discriminating against and not respecting traditional practices and medicines

• Few Metis specific services

– Those that exist need to improve confidentiality

• Aboriginal seniors often have to raise grandchildren in lieu of parents

– Leads to stress, financial strain23

Regional Themes

• Clearview participants were more likely to feel connected to adjacent communities

– Also expressed much greater satisfaction with available services/resources

• Towns that expressed a greater sense of isolation were less satisfied with services/resources

24

Regional Themes

• Participants in Stayner, Sandy Cove and Victoria Harbour looked forward to pilot bus projects

– Accessible buses were available in Collingwood and Sandy Cove

– Taxis raised only in Victoria Harbour and Collingwood as means of transportation

• Use of alternative vehicles was raised everywhere except Victoria Harbour

– Scooters, golf carts, tractors etc.25

Regional Themes

• Senior-specific communities at Bayshore and Sandy Cove expressed a greater sense of inclusion within the community

– However one participant shared her struggle with depression and frustration at lack of support

• Bayshore and Sandy Cove were the only groups not to mention 211 as a resource

– Bayshore residents were not aware of transportation services for medical appointments

26

Overarching Themes

• Respect and social inclusion is intimately related to civic and social participation

– Isolation a significant concern

• Sense of community and self sufficiency is important to life in Simcoe County

• Common barriers

– Mobility and lack of affordable transportation

– Communication and information

• More rental stock27

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