City of Brantford updates the Healthy Aging Strategy

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Senior couple walking with trees in the background

BRANTFORD, ON – At their Committee of the Whole meeting held on November 2, 2021, Council unanimously approved the City’s updated Healthy Aging Strategy. The update includes a summary of the successes achieved since 2018 and the plan to guide action for the next three years to ensure older adults remain engaged and enjoy a high quality of life in our community.

“City of Brantford staff have done an incredible job over the last three years building connections with seniors in our community and implementing new and exciting programs to help older adults remain engaged and healthy,” says Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “I look forward to seeing this important work continue that recognizes the many ways that seniors contribute to Brantford’s cultural, economic and social structure.”

Significant highlights and achievements since 2018 include:

  • Accessibility enhancements to various City buildings and spaces
  • Removal of interlocking brick in the downtown core for smoother walking surfaces and enhances accessibility
  • Deployment of accessible, ‘low floor’ buses
  • The development of John Noble Apartments added 57 affordable units designated for older adults
  • The Communications and Community Engagement Department led a project to redevelop the City’s website with enhanced AODA features
  • Implementation of Right Now: A Community Strategy to Prevent and Address Elder Abuse
  • The launch of various programs and initiatives such as the Let’s Get Moving campaign, Seniors’ Studio, Holistic Health Series, Seniors workshop and tech series, Healthy Aging Without Walls, Seniors Hotline, Community Workshop Series, Legal Education Series, Newcomer Workshops Series and many more.

The City of Brantford’s updated Healthy Aging Strategy for 2022-2024 includes 65 updated actions and 15 specific targets for measuring ongoing successes. Some of the actions include:

  • Continue to improve the walkability of municipal sidewalks, parks and trails.
  • Continue to improve accessibility of public transit, city roads, and municipal parking
  • Enhanced access to recreation and neighbourhood-based programming.
  • Support community partners in development of in-person and virtual programs to support socially isolated older adults.

“On behalf of the Grand River Council on Aging, we are very pleased and encouraged to see the City of Brantford working towards the development of an age-friendly community for all residents,” says Lucy Marco, President, Grand River Council on Aging. “We look forward to continuing to provide input to Brantford City Council and staff as they work towards the future.”

When the Healthy Aging Strategy 2022-2024 is approved by Brantford City Council, the full plan will be available online for residents to review at www.Brantford.ca/HealthyAging.

 Background:

In May 2018, Brantford City Council approved Healthy Aging: The City of Brantford’s Age-Friendly Strategy, a three-year plan based on the World Health Organization’s eight domains for an Age-Friendly Community, including outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; and community support and health services.

In 2017, the City was invited to join the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, and in the following year the Ministry of Seniors Affairs recognized the City of Brantford with the Ontario Age-Friendly Community Recognition Award. Other organizations, including the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) and the International Federation on Aging, have recognized Brantford as an example of progressive age-friendly planning.

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Media Contact:

Heather Carvalho, Acting Manager, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519-759-4150 ext. 5741 | hcarvalho@brantford.ca  

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