Thu, 16 Jun 2016
The Town of Oakville is taking steps to become a more age-friendly community where all residents can be active and engaged members of the community at every stage of life.
As part of this work, residents aged 50 and older are invited to share their input by completing an Age-friendly Needs Assessment Survey that will help shape the community to meet the needs of older adults now and into the future.
“Building a more livable Oakville means supporting the health and wellbeing of residents as they get older,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. “The results of this survey will help the town identify ways we can more effectively meet the needs and priorities of our older residents.”
According to 2011 census data, residents aged 50 or older make up about 33 per cent of Oakville’s total population. Fifteen per cent of residents are 50-59 years old, nine per cent are 60-69, five per cent are 70-79 and four per cent are 80 years old or older.
In an age-friendly community, policies, programs, services and environments support and enable people to live and age safely, enjoy good health and stay active and involved. The survey asks a range of questions that address the eight age-friendly community features identified by the World Health Organization: outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, community support and health services, and social participation.
The survey is part of a broader community engagement plan that also includes focus groups and one-on-one interviews with stakeholders. An open house for the public is also being planned for the fall.