Committee aims to make Bruce County an age-friendly community
The Bruce County age-friendly committee, formed in June of last year, has a vision of having the county recognized as an age-friendly community by the World Health Organization.
At the Jan. 9, county council meeting, Megan Garland, director of long-term care and senior services, highlighted this committee which consists of a dedicated group of local leaders, community members, and stakeholders, created to guide initiatives that support older adults in the region.
“An age-friendly community is one that addresses both the opportunities and challenges of an aging population by creating a physical and social environment that promotes independent, active living, and enables older individuals to continue contributing to all aspects of community life,” said Garland.
The committee is composed of representatives from the public sector, lower-tier municipalities, and various organizations that support, or serve, seniors. It has focused on establishing a strong foundation for its work, including developing guiding principles and creating a community profile to frame its efforts.
To date, the committee has successfully completed its 2024 work plan, which included drafting terms of reference, defining guiding principles, and finalizing the community profile. It has also partnered with Brock University students to begin drafting a comprehensive needs assessment for Bruce County. This research will help inform the development of policies and strategies that address the specific needs of older adults across the region.
Looking ahead to 2025, the committee is committed to expanding community engagement to gather input from seniors to ensure their voices continue to shape future initiatives.
Explore the new
Senior Services page on the Bruce County website, featuring a growing list of resources and programs that support active living for seniors.
Written ByNo bio for this author.
Related Stories
No related stories.