With Saskatchewan’s population aging and creating demands for the sustainability of communities, city council has decided to work with a group that promotes the well-being of older persons.
During its April 12 regular meeting, council voted unanimously to support and endorse the Age-Friendly Community organization in Moose Jaw while agreeing to work in partnership with the group to promote, support and participate in its initiatives to improve accessibility and involvement for all ages and abilities.
There will be no financial cost to the city to support this group.
Council discussion
“I’m really happy to support this and the work they’re doing in our community, as well as across Saskatchewan. The age-friendly organization has been endorsed by … 15 to 20 other communities, so I’m happy (for Moose Jaw) to join that list,” said Coun. Crystal Froese.
This committee is critical to society’s well-being, especially since there is an ongoing pandemic and many people are isolated and require assistance, said Coun. Doug Blanc. He thought the committee would be a good mechanism to facilitate that connectedness.
“… I think this is a great cause and I look forward to their work,” he added.
Background
Established in 2018, the Moose Jaw Age-Friendly Community organization’s objective is to recognize the city as an age-friendly place in Saskatchewan, a council report explained. There are four milestones the organization must attain before the provincial government recognizes the group.
The milestones include establishing an age-friendly committee; securing municipal government support, assessing the community, determining where age-friendly initiatives are needed; and developing and implementing an action plan.
In an age-friendly community, businesses, organizations and municipal governments are mindful of the challenges and opportunities with the physical and social environment to help seniors age actively, a letter from Age-Friendly Moose Jaw explained. The community should be set up to help seniors live safely, enjoy good health and stay involved.
Looking through an older adult perspective serves people of all ages and abilities. Ramped sidewalks serve those who use wheelchairs or scooters and young parents pushing strollers. An age-friendly community that actively supports aging adults helps these individuals stay in the community.
While support from council does not require financial or staff resources, it does mean the committee will communicate with council when needed and that age-friendly projects should be considered during planning and policymaking, the letter said. This will ensure age-friendly initiatives become “part of the natural flow” of physical and social improvements and could become part of regular budget planning.
An age-friendly designation by the province could help Moose Jaw apply for federal capital, infrastructure and other grants, such as Canada’s Healthy Communities Initiative, which hands out $31 million annually.
The Moose Jaw Age-Friendly organization is working with other non-profit groups this year to address certain seniors’ needs that the pandemic has generated, including food security, isolation and information. The organization has used various digital and traditional mediums to communicate with seniors and its partners in the past year.
Other goals the organization has this year include building its committee, identifying needs and developing a concrete plan of action to respond to the needs of older adults, demonstrating a commitment to action by publicly posting its action plan, and committing to measurable activities, reviewing action plan outcomes and reporting them publicly.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, April 26.
