Age-Friendly Erickson Community Consultation Summary

Erickson, ManitobaMay 28, 2010

Community consultations are being held with seniors and community members across Manitoba as part of a larger Age-Friendly Initiative. The goal of these community consultations is to assist communities with prioritizing issues that will help them form action plans to make their communities age-friendly. On May 28, 2010, 25 residents from the Town of Erickson, Manitoba came together to talk about age-friendly priorities and issues within their community. Participants also had the opportunity to complete a survey of the age-friendliness of their community. The following is a summary of the age-friendly priorities identified at the meeting and survey results.

Summary of Group DiscussionAge-Friendly Erickson Benefits

Easy access for participation in outdoor activities ■Caring, supportive, and safe place to live ■Trans Canada Trail close by ■Affordable baseball program ($10) for school age ■childrenGrade 6 students mix with seniors at personal care ■homeTown wide project with Grade 5 class got involved ■with the Ladybug Foundation“Exploring Erickson” promotes the town online on ■FacebookStudents Making a Difference (SMD) high school ■initiativeArchery club is becoming a popular opportunity for ■all ages to get together

Priority: Provide More Social Opportunities For Youth and Seniors

Potential Actions:Increase interaction between seniors and youth with ■learning opportunities and mentoring Identify intergenerational activities to bring seniors ■and youth together more oftenRe-examine creating space for a senior drop-in ■centre and a youth centreOffer a life skills course for youth ■Identify an accessible space for seniors to exercise, ■e.g., the school gym outside school hours

Priority: Improve Town and Resident Communication MethodsPotential Actions:

Encourage a partnership with schools to develop a ■town map identifying key locationsClearly mark and identify key town locations with ■visible signage, such as Friendship GardensCreate a community calendar promoting key ■events in the Town of Erickson and the surrounding communitiesHold a community meeting with various ■organizations to determine the most effective way of sharing informationAdd more town information and organizational links ■on the Web site, e.g., school newsletter, “Exploring Erickson,” or postersApproach communication service providers to ■improve the cell phone and Internet coverage locallyDesignate and promote a central location to post ■community information and eventsShare community success stories more widely ■

Priority: Develop More Affordable Housing Potential Actions:

Encourage development of housing for rent or ■purchase for families and for those 55 plusOffer assisted living options for seniors ■Encourage developers to create affordable housing ■for seniors, rather than building high end housingCreate more senior housing for couples ■Approach the rural municipality to accommodate the ■needs for new housing development within town and not in the surrounding areas

Priority: Increase Building and Street SafetyPotential Actions:

Repair crumbling or steep stairs on buildings ■(Mountain Park Pharmacy, Nordic Inn, fitness centre)Redesign ramp slopes to buildings making them ■more usable and safe for those with wheelchairs, scooters, and for mothers with strollersImprove accessibility into buildings by replacing ■heavy doorsClearly identify crosswalks by increasing the line ■sizes and adding larger signsBuild awareness about street safety, e.g., motorists ■stopping to allow pedestrians to cross at crosswalksExplore options to improve sidewalk walkability by ■targeting the main walking areas: Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Centre Avenue, half of First and Second StreetEncourage homeowners and businesses to keep ■sidewalks clear of hedges and overgrown treesRelay concerns to drivers about the hazards of ■backing out of angled parking spots and driving across the double line

Priority: Build Awareness to Improve Personal SafetyPotential Actions:

Clearly identify handicap parking signs ■Add handicap parking signs on both sides of Main ■StreetApproach Manitoba Hydro to improve street lighting ■as the lights are dim and many street lights do not work

Priority: Encourage Businesses to Become More Age-FriendlyPotential Actions:

Approach the Chamber of Commerce to raise ■awareness of the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative using the age-friendly business checklistEncourage the Chamber of Commerce to promote ■age-friendly businesses through various means of communicationNotify business and building owners on Main Street ■about their responsibility to keep sidewalks cleared of ice and snowRaise awareness about safety with entrances, ■doors, steps and mats

Priority: Recognize Community Member Contributions More Often

Potential Actions:Recognize volunteer contributions more often ■Explore promoting volunteer contributions through ■“Volunteer of the month” in the school newsletter

Priority: Improve Accessibility to Public WashroomsPotential Actions:

Redesign doorways and stalls to allow space for ■wheelchairs, walkers, and strollersInstall baby changing stations ■Clearly identify buildings with available public ■washrooms by using large, readable signage

Priority: Determine How to Make Handi-Van Usage More Effective

Potential Actions:Encourage more volunteer drivers to drive the handi- ■vanLook at transportation alternatives such as providing ■a smaller vehicle to transport passengers or identify private drivers in the community

Summary of Survey ResponsesAs part of a community consultation held in Erickson on May 28, 2010, residents were asked to complete a brief questionnaire designed to collect information on the age-friendliness of their community. Nineteen residents living in Erickson completed questionnaires. This report summarizes the findings from the 19 residents who completed the Age-Friendly Communities Survey; 53% identified themselves as a senior.

Most Age-Friendly Areas Based on the survey responses, Erickson residents feel there are enough parking spaces close to services and stores. Many residents also identified that seniors are generally treated with respect.

Least Age-Friendly AreasTo become more age-friendly, residents identified that public transportation to health care services is not sufficient. Most residents noted that housing needs to be improved as there is a lack of housing for younger people and housing that meet seniors’ needs.To improve safety in the town, most Erickson residents do not feel that the sidewalks in most or all areas of the community are well maintained. Additionally they feel there are not enough street crosswalks in busy residential and/or recreation areas and seniors do not feel safe when walking alone at night.More social opportunities are needed in the town as survey responses indicated that seniors do not feel there are enough lifelong learning programs or exercise classes specifically for them. Residents also identified through the survey that congregate meal programs available (e.g., lunch at recreation or senior centre) are not sufficient.

Priority AreasResidents were also asked to write down the top five issues they felt needed to be most urgently addressed in their community. Fifteen out of the 19 residents identified at least one priority area. Written comments were grouped into the priority areas as shown in Figure 1:

Sidewalks/streets (e.g., better sidewalks, sidewalks need to be repaired, safe ■sidewalks, streets-crosswalks); Recreational/social activities/programs (e.g., more activities for seniors and youth, ■multigenerational programs); Buildings/accessibility (e.g., access to public facilities, public washrooms); ■Housing (e.g., more senior housing, assisted living); ■Communication/social inclusion (e.g., communication, volunteer involvement, ■economic development); Community programs/services (e.g., senior drop in centre, volunteerism, helping ■seniors get to appointments); and Transportation (e.g., more handi-van drivers, more affordable transportation) ■

Figure 1: Priority Areas Identified by Participants

67%Sidewalks/streets

47%

60%

67%

Buildings/accessibility

Recreation/social activities/programs

Sidewalks/streets

33%

40%

47%

60%

67%

Communcation/social inclusion

Housing

Buildings/accessibility

Recreation/social activities/programs

Sidewalks/streets

27%

33%

40%

47%

60%

67%

Community programs/services

Communcation/social inclusion

Housing

Buildings/accessibility

Recreation/social activities/programs

Sidewalks/streets

27%

27%

33%

40%

47%

60%

67%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Transportation

Community programs/services

Communcation/social inclusion

Housing

Buildings/accessibility

Recreation/social activities/programs

Sidewalks/streets

27%

27%

33%

40%

47%

60%

67%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Transportation

Community programs/services

Communcation/social inclusion

Housing

Buildings/accessibility

Recreation/social activities/programs

Sidewalks/streets

% of Participants who Identified Area as a Priority

Age-Friendly Survey Responses

Housing Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

There is enough housing that meets the needs of seniors. 0.0 72.2 27.8Housing for seniors is affordable. 64.7 11.8 23.5There is enough subsidized housing for low-income seniors. 31.6 42.1 26.3The waiting times are reasonable to get into senior housing that provides supports to seniors (e.g., assisted living, nursing homes).

33.3 27.8 38.9

There is enough housing for younger people. 5.6 55.6 38.9

Transportation Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

The public transportation (not provided by family or friends) to shopping, senior centres, religious events, cultural events, and so forth is sufficient.

26.3 57.9 15.8

The public transportation (not provided by family or friends) to and from medical appointments is sufficient. 47.4 26.3 26.3

The transportation that is available for individuals with disabilities (e.g., Handi-Van) is sufficient. 83.3 0.0 16.7

The public transportation (not provided by family or friends), including Handi-Van that is available in my community is affordable for seniors.

63.2 0.0 36.8

There are volunteer drivers or an informal network of drivers available for seniors who need transportation. 52.6 21.1 26.3

There are enough parking spaces close to services and stores. 89.5 5.3 5.3

There are enough “handicap” parking spaces close to services and stores. 47.4 36.8 15.8

Respect and Social Inclusion Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

Seniors are generally treated with respect. 82.4 0.0 17.6Seniors serve in an advisory role to municipal government (e.g., there is a seniors’ council). 5.6 55.6 38.9

Community consultations specifically include seniors. 29.4 17.6 52.9Planning processes specifically consider the needs of seniors (e.g., planning for housing or transportation). 35.3 17.6 47.1

Safety Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

Crime and vandalism are a problem. 72.2 16.7 11.1Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the day. 61.1 16.7 22.2Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the night. 11.1 38.9 50.0

Outdoor Spaces and Buildings Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

The road signs are easy to read and large enough for older drivers. 52.9 5.9 41.2

There are sidewalks linking residences and essential services in most or all areas of my community. 27.8 72.0 0.0

Sidewalks in most or all areas of my community are well maintained (even surfaces or paved, not a lot of cracks). 10.5 89.5 0.0

Snow clearing is done in a timely manner so walking and driving is safe. 70.6 29.4 0.0

There are enough street crosswalks in busy business areas. 42.1 52.6 5.3There are enough street crosswalks in busy residential and/or recreation areas. 5.3 63.2 31.6

There are enough public washrooms in key areas of my community (e.g., business and recreation areas). 26.3 73.7 0.0

Public washrooms accommodate people with wheelchairs. 22.2 50.0 27.8Most or all businesses and public buildings are easily accessible to everybody (e.g., have wheelchair ramps, automatic doors).

44.4 50.0 5.6

Community/Work Force Participation Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

There are enough volunteer opportunities for seniors. 52.9 17.6 29.4There is enough official recognition for seniors who volunteer (e.g., an appreciation banquet or volunteer awards). 41.2 47.1 11.8

There are enough paid job opportunities for seniors. 23.5 41.2 35.3The job opportunities in my neighbourhood accommodate the needs of seniors (e.g., part-time work is available). 38.9 22.2 38.9

Social Participation/Recreation Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

My community has enough pleasant places for walking (e.g., walking trails, parks, well-treed streets). 64.7 35.3 0.0

Local parks or walking trails are accessible and easy to use for seniors (e.g., paths with even surfaces). 42.1 42.1 15.8

There are enough resting areas with benches along paths or trails. 27.8 44.4 27.8

There are enough exercise classes specifically for seniors. 0.0 63.2 36.8There are enough recreation programs specifically for seniors (e.g., card games, arts, crafts). 27.8 44.4 27.8

There are enough lifelong learning programs specifically for seniors (e.g., learning new things such as the use of computers).

15.8 52.6 31.6

There are enough programs in my community that bring seniors and children together (e.g., school reading programs, children spending time with seniors).

22.2 44.4 33.3

Recreational activities, such as exercise and other recreational programs, are generally affordable for seniors. 31.6 42.1 26.3

Isolated seniors (e.g., those who don’t have anybody) are contacted, visited or taken to activities. 26.3 15.8 57.9

Information/Advocacy Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

Information about community events is readily available to seniors. 61.1 16.7 22.2

Information about the services and programs provided by various organizations is readily available to seniors. 62.5 18.8 18.8

Official, written information, such as forms or brochures is easy to read and understand (e.g., large print, clear language).

38.9 16.7 44.4

Public telephone answering services are adapted to the needs of seniors (e.g., instructions are given clearly and slowly). 0.0 12.5 87.5

There is enough assistance available for completing official forms (e.g., help with filling out government or income tax forms).

23.5 29.4 47.1

There are enough seniors’ advocacy services available (e.g., an ombudsman to inform others of seniors’ needs). 23.5 29.4 47.1

Health and Community Services Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

The home care services that support seniors in their own home (e.g., meal preparation, nursing care) are sufficient. 68.8 0.0 31.2

The services that help seniors around the home (e.g., snow removal, lawn care, garbage brought to the street) are sufficient.

27.8 22.2 50.0

The congregate meal programs available (e.g., lunch at a recreation or senior centre) are sufficient. 11.1 55.6 33.3

The meal delivery services that bring meals to seniors’ homes are sufficient. 58.8 11.8 29.4

The health care services that are provided in my community meet the needs of seniors (e.g., hospital, physicians, eye care).

43.8 31.2 25.0

Public transportation (not provided by family or friends) to health care services that are not provided in my community is sufficient.

11.1 44.4 44.4

Access to health care that are not provided in my community is generally convenient (e.g., services not too far away, appointment times are convenient).

21.4 35.7 42.9

The views expressed herein reflect the opinions of the participants and do not necessarily represent the views of the Age-Friendly Communities Community-University Research Alliance (CURA) or the Centre on Aging.

This summary was prepared by the Age-Friendly Communities CURA. The Age-Friendly Communities CURA is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Summary authors: Louise Hutton and Rachel Ines Team leader: Dr. Verena Menec, Canada Research Chair in Healthy Aging, Director, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba

For more information contact:

Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba 338 Isbister Building Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-8754 Fax: (204) 474-7576 Email: aging@umanitoba.ca Web site: www.umanitoba.ca/centres/aging/cura/

Published: June 25, 2010