Shining a spotlight on Vaughan seniors
City receives grant to support new Older Adult Strategy
Seniors are the fastest-growing segment of the population in Canada. In 2011, Census data revealed baby boomers made up almost 30 per cent of the population and that number will continue to grow until 2031 as many have yet to reach the age of 65.
Seniors are the fastest-growing segment of the population in Canada. In 2011, Census data revealed baby boomers made up almost 30 per cent of the population and that number will continue to grow until 2031 as many have yet to reach the age of 65.
In Vaughan, more than a quarter of the population are baby boomers and seniors make up 11.1 per cent. Recognizing the population of aging adults is growing, the City is developing an Older Adult Strategy to promote age-friendly communities, and to ensure that seniors lead longer and healthier lives. In an age-friendly city, policies, services and structures are designed so that older adults can safely and actively participate in community activities, regardless of age.
The City of Vaughan was recently awarded a $50,000 Age-Friendly Community Planning Grant through the Ontario Seniors Secretariat that will aid in the implementation of the Older Adult Strategy. The grant supports governments and community organizations to undertake strategic planning with a focus on seniors.
The strategy will address the evolving recreational, social, cultural and physical needs of seniors throughout the next 10 years and will have several objectives, including:
- assessing existing older adult programs, services, facilities, policies, clubs, fees and resources
- identifying older adult leisure trends and best practices
- consulting with older adults and key stakeholders to identify gaps in program and service delivery
The City wants the community to get involved in developing this important strategy. Residents 55 years and older are encouraged to provide their input by taking the Older Adult Strategy survey available at vaughan.ca/RecFYI. Printed copies of the survey are available at community centres across the City.
QUOTE
“As a City that promotes and encourages involvement at every level, we take pride in offering opportunities that create meaningful experiences for seniors who have given so much to our community. This grant to support age-friendly community planning will allow us to develop a specialized strategy and build on the many programs and services available to older adults. Helping our seniors remain active and involved is our priority, and it contributes to the exceptional quality of life we enjoy in the City of Vaughan.”
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- The Older Adult Strategy for the City of Vaughan will be developed in collaboration with urban planning consultant LeisurePlan International.
- The City currently offers various registered and dropin leisure opportunities to keep older adults physically and socially active. These include painting and musical theatre, line dancing, tai chi, yoga, Pilates and Zumba, walking groups, aquafitness, swimming, fitness and bocce.
- There are 20 older adult groups that meet at recreation facilities across the City.
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