AGE-FRIENDLY THUNDER BAY

ONTARIOA Grassroots Stakeholder Based Approach

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AGE-FRIENDLY THUNDER BAY ONTARIO

Age-Friendly Thunder Bay was initiated on the basis of

community-based research conducted by Dr. Mary Lou

Kelley and the Centre for Education & Research on

Aging & Health, Lakehead University.

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Thunder Bay’s Population is Aging

The senior population will be:

Better educatedMore financially secure

More influential

Thunder Bay Seniors will create change – all levels.

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AGE-FRIENDLY THUNDER BAY ONTARIO

The Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Committee was founded

in 2009 and is chaired by Rebecca Johnson, City

Councillor-at-Large.

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COMMUNITY SURVEY: PURPOSE

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• In 2010 a community survey was conducted by the Centre for Education & Research on Aging & Health, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay

• The purpose of the survey was:To look at the City of Thunder Bay from a critical “aging” lens in order to celebrate its strengths and determine potential areas of improvement”

COMMUNITY SURVEY: METHODOLOGY

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The research questions were:

1. How does the physical, social and cultural environment in thunder Bay currently support and provide challenges to the quality of life and independence of its aging population?

2. How can the physical, social and cultural environment in Thunder Bay be modified to better support the quality of life and independence of the aging population?

The survey information was collected by seniors.

The information was gathered from seniors exiting public health flu clinics located throughout the Thunder Bay community.

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Ontario Trillium Foundation Funding

• In November 2012 the AFTB Committee received $75,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

• The funding was managed by a steering committee comprised of a collaborative of organizations:

• City of Thunder Bay

• Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health, Lakehead University.

Community Member-at-LargeLakehead Social Planning Council.Retired Teachers of Ontario, District 2.Canadian Red Cross, Thunder Bay Branch.Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.

• The work was conducted by members of the AFTB Committee who volunteered to work in specific task groups.

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STAKEHOLDER BASED COMMITTEE

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Age-Friendly Thunder Bay Committee

For Profit Not For ProfitIndividuals

Community Members at Large

Collaborative Steering Committee Ontario Trillium Foundation

Senior CharterTask Group

Business GuideTask Group

Intergenerational EducationTask Group

Public Awareness Task Group

The Thunder Bay Senior Charter was endorsed by Thunder Bay City Council in June 2012.

In late April 2013, 30 local organizations were invited to endorse the Thunder Bay Senior Charter.

Thunder Bay organizations are welcome to join in the endorsement process.

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The Thunder Bay Business Guide was distributed to 20 local businesses.

The Business Guide “package” contains:• A letter of introduction.• A detailed business guide

geared to senior managers.

• A condensed business guide geared to managers and supervisors.

• A checklist “card” for easy reference by staff and volunteers.

The package will also be available to local businesses.

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The Lakehead District School Board and the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board appointed trustees to serve on the AFTB Committee and teachers to serve on the intergeneration education task group.

Lakehead University’s Faculty of Education appointed a faculty member to serve on the AFTB Committee.

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www.agefriendlythunderbay.ca

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STRATEGIC PLANNING FRAMEWORK 2014- 2017

Vision (our preferred future):

Citizens of Thunder Bay age with dignity in a community recognized by the World Health Organization Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities.

Mission (who we are today):

Age-Friendly Thunder Bay is a community based stakeholder group advocating for seniors’ independence and quality of life in Thunder Bay

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STRATEGIC PLANNING FRAMEWORK 2014- 2017: GOALS

Goal # 1:To develop the "Thunder Bay Council on Aging" (TBCA). Goal # 2:In collaboration with identified partners to provide leadership in the development of the three-year community wide plan of action as required by the WHO age-friendly designation. Goal # 3:To conduct a community-based study with the goal of understanding how seniors living in Thunder Bay engage with their communities. Goal # 4:To continue the development of innovative community based age-friendly initiatives related to intergenerational activities and the Age-Friendly Business Guide.

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CURRENT ACTIVITIES

• THE AGE-FRIENDLY THUNDER BAY BUSINESS GUIDE PRESENTED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION’S 2ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES: LIVING AND AGING TOGETHER IN OUR COMMUNITY (QUEBEC CITY, SEPTEMBER 2013).

• PROPOSALS FOR FUTURE FUNDING, BASED ON THE REVISED STRATEGIC PLAN, ARE BEING DEVELOPED BY THE AFTB COMMITTEE.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Age-Friendly Thunder BayCentre for Education & Research on Aging & Health (CERAH)Lakehead University955 Oliver Road | Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1Tel: 807-766-7123 | fax: 807-766-7222Email: info@agefriendlythunderbay.caWeb: www.agefriendlythunderbay.ca

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