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Press Release

County hosts Age-Friendly public consultations

 

Midhurst/August 22, 2016 County of Simcoe is hosting a series of public consultations throughout September to gain further input from residents and stakeholders about the age-friendliness of our communities. The consultations will serve as the final step in the Age-Friendly Community initiative's public engagement process, which has been ongoing since January 2016.

"It is extremely important that we have the right services, resources, infrastructure and programs in place to meet the needs and demands of our aging population," said Warden Gerry Marshall. "Through our engagement process, the voice of our older adults is being heard. Please join us in September and continue to help reshape our communities for an even brighter future for all our residents."

Attendees will learn about how communities worldwide are being made friendlier for aging residents, and have the opportunity to provide additional input into local research on priorities for continuing improvement that were identified within the eight World Health Organization's Age-Friendly dimensions: housing, outdoor spaces, transportation, communication, respect, social participation, employment, and community and health services.

Results from the consultation sessions and the full community engagement process will be utilized to determine the guiding principles of the County's Age-Friendly Community Planning Framework. The final report will be reviewed by the Age-Friendly Community Project Steering Committee and submitted for endorsement by County Council in spring 2017.

Scheduled sessions:

Alliston
September 12, 2016
2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m.
Nottawasaga Inn

Collingwood
September 14, 2016
2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m.
Sunset Manor
49 Raglan St., Collingwood, Ontario

Orillia
September 19, 2016
2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m.
Orillia Legion – Vimy Lounge
215 Mississauga St. E., Orillia, Ontario

Penetanguishene
September 30, 2016
2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m.
Georgian Village
101 Thompson St., Penetanguishene, Ontario

Feedback and interest in the Age-Friendly Community initiative has been tremendous. The County received 3,048 completed Age-Friendly surveys, conducted 10 key informant interviews and hosted 15 focus groups across our municipalities. These focus groups were held with caregivers, service providers, social club members, Francophones, newcomers, business owners, aboriginals and senior-living communities based on suggestions received from the Age-Friendly Community Project Steering Committee. Telephone interviews were also conducted in an effort to gather information from harder to reach, isolated and low income older adults.

About the Age-Friendly Community Initiative
In July 2015, the County of Simcoe received funding from the Government of Ontario as part of its Age- Friendly Community Planning Grant Program. The funding program is operated through the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat and supports local governments and community organizations to undertake strategic planning and develop local plans to address aging demographics and further enable people of all ages to fully participate in community life. The County has received approval of up to a maximum amount of $50,000 from the Government of Ontario to execute the program. For full details, visit simcoe.ca/age-friendly.

The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

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​Contacts:

Allan Greenwood
Director, Corporate Communications 
705-726-9300 ext. 1230
705-794-9301 (mobile) 
Allan.Greenwood@simcoe.ca

Collin Matanowitsch
Communications Co-ordinator
705-726-9300 ext. 1430
705-734-8386 (mobile)
Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca