Age-Friendly Rural Municipality of Alexander Community Consultation Summary

Rural Municipality of Alexander, ManitobaSeptember 8, 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 September 8, 2010, 19 residents from the Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Alexander (Bird River, Great Falls, Silver Falls, St. Georges, Stead, Lester Beach, Belair, Traverse Bay, Hillside Beach, and Albert Beach), and the surrounding communities of the R.M. of Victoria Beach, and Powerview-Pine Falls, 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 the survey results.

Summary of Group DiscussionAge-Friendly Benefits of the R.M. of Alexander, R.M. of Victoria Beach, and Powerview-Pine Falls

Many places to walk ■Reasonable services available ■Affordable housing ■Safe community with many opportunities for social ■interaction and volunteers feel appreciatedThe SSMILE intergenerational program, supported by ■the Selkirk School Division, has been successfulMidway Foods provides a bus that brings seniors to shop ■at the storeVictoria Beach has its own policing for improved safety ■and responseThe Senior Scene at Victoria Beach is receiving needed ■renovations, e.g., a lift to access the lower levelInformation is shared between communities through local ■newspapers A community directory is available through Wings of ■Power and Edgewater Recreation Commission

Priority: Increase Walking and Biking Safety in CommunitiesPotential Actions

Build safe and level bike paths in communities ■Add lighting to illuminate street signs and improve safe ■walking and bikingFinalize planning the TransCanada Trail at Lester Beach ■Add a pedestrian corridor along Hillside Beach Road ■Designate an area for residents to access the lake at ■Victoria BeachAdd more benches to beach areas and the main highway ■where people walk. For example, encourage adding benches through business and individual partnerships and sponsorships

Priority: Increase Senior Housing OptionsPotential Actions

Define the upcoming need for independent and assisted ■living Consider building condos for individuals 55+ in specific ■communities

Priority: Bring Different Government Levels Together to Discuss Increasing Highway Safety and Connecting Communities

Potential ActionsImprove the shoulders of Highways 11 and 12 by making ■them level and widerCut the grass for increased visibility especially when deer ■are most active Improve blind corners in communities, e.g., on Art Street ■in Powerview-Pine Falls by rerouting traffic or adding a sidewalkAdd and repair existing sidewalks for safe walking where ■needed, especially in business areasReview speed limits in and around communities for ■safety and traffic flowIncrease sanding icy curves on Highway 304 in poor ■weather

Priority: Involve Business Owners to Improve Street Approaches and Parking Lot Safety

Potential ActionsApproach business owners to ask about improving their ■parking lots and approaches, e.g., Highway 59 and 11 at Traverse Bay and Dancy’s Foods to upgrade parking lot and paint linesAdd handicap parking spots where needed ■Paint a crosswalk at Saffies Store in Albert Beach for ■safe crossing and at the Wings of Power building in Powerview-Pine Falls

Priority: Discuss Increased Policing With RCMPPotential Actions

Determine which communities need increased policing, ■e.g., Powerview-Pine FallsIncrease the presence of RCMP officers in the ■communities more regularlyFind ways to decrease RCMP response time ■Ask the RCMP to regularly publish a report informing ■residents of crime, trends, and activities

Priority: Clearly Identify Buildings and Public Places to Assist Visitors and to Improve Emergency Response Times

Priority: Improve Accessibility Within and to Public BuildingsPotential Actions

Build awareness of how individuals can find updated ■public building accessibility codesShare accessibility information with groups and ■businesses Encourage key businesses and public buildings to install ■automatic doors, e.g., financial institutionsIdentify renovations to arena and consider adding an ■indoor walking oval

Potential ActionsAdd more signage on public buildings ■Number roads and buildings, ensuring they are clear and ■visibleAdd trail signs, e.g. North Star Trail ■Update the Pine Falls sign at the junction of highways 59 ■and 304

Priority: Increase Medical and Community Services for SeniorsPotential Actions

Offer meal programs and meal delivery services to ■seniors as neededDiscuss long-term commitment, through incentives, for ■doctors to stay at the local clinics and hospitalsAsk grocery stores and pharmacies to provide a delivery ■service for seniors

Priority: Provide Residents With Updated Information Potential Actions

Disseminate community emergency information as a ■quick reference guide for residentsLobby Internet providers to bring high speed Internet into ■growing rural communitiesOffer computer training courses ■Prepare and distribute a consolidated community map ■Change public notices in a timely manner ■Place public notices at post offices and businesses ■Provide a “Welcome Wagon” package for newcomers ■

Summary of Survey ResponsesAs part of a community consultation held in Victoria Beach on September 8, 2010, residents were asked to complete a brief questionnaire designed to collect information on their community’s age-friendliness. Nineteen residents living in the R.M. of Alexander, and the surrounding areas of the R.M. of Victoria Beach, and Powerview-Pine Falls completed questionnaires. This report summarizes the findings from the Age-Friendly Communities Survey; 63.2% identified themselves as a senior.

Most Age-Friendly Areas The majority of residents feel that seniors are generally treated with respect. Many identified that seniors have enough volunteer opportunities; the recreational activities, such as exercise and other recreational programs, are generally affordable for seniors; seniors who volunteer receive enough official recognition; and there are enough pleasant places for walking.

Least Age-Friendly AreasResidents identified that sidewalks are not well maintained and do not link residences and essential services in most or all areas of the communities. Services for seniors, such as meal delivery services and ones that help seniors around the home are not sufficient. Residents also identified housing as an issue for seniors due to the lack of subsidized housing and long waiting times to get into supportive senior housing. Businesses and public buildings were noted as being inaccessible to most community residents.

Priority AreasIndividuals were also asked to write down the top five issues they felt needed to be most urgently addressed in their community. Seventeen out of the 19 individuals (89.47%) identified at least one priority area.

Figure 1: Priority Areas Identified by Participants

35%

41%

47%

71%

76%

Recreation

Health care

Transportation

Accessibility

Housing

24%

24%

35%

41%

47%

71%

76%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Communication

Streets

Recreation

Health care

Transportation

Accessibility

Housing

% of Participants who identified area as a priority

These written comments were grouped into the priority areas as shown in Figure 1:

Housing (e.g., assisted living complex, affordable housing, and independent living); ■Accessibility (e.g., better building access, automatic doors, handicap/wheelchair access, ■access to public buildings and businesses); Transportation (e.g., affordable transportation especially to take seniors to medical ■appointments, new highway); Health care (e.g., better medical and health services, visiting “proctors” for isolated ■seniors, Medi van); Recreation (e.g., new community centre, new pleasure rink (skate), shopping); ■Streets (e.g., better paths for walking and biking); and ■Communication (better communicator services, visiting “proctors” to help with ■communication and information, linking seniors with school children, provide assistance with new technologies).

Age-Friendly Survey Responses

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

There is enough housing that meets the needs of seniors. 26.3 63.2 10.5Housing for seniors is affordable. 38.9 44.4 16.7There is enough subsidized housing for low-income seniors. 5.6 77.8 16.7The waiting times are reasonable to get into senior housing that provides supports to seniors (e.g., assisted living, nursing homes). 5.6 50.0 44.4

There is enough housing for younger people. 44.4 38.9 16.7

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. 33.3 66.7 0.0

The public transportation (not provided by family or friends) to and from medical appointments is sufficient. 33.3 61.1 5.6

The transportation that is available for individuals with disabilities (e.g., Handi-Van) is sufficient. 50.0 44.4 5.6

The public transportation (not provided by family or friends), including Handi-Van that is available in my community is affordable for seniors. 35.3 29.4 35.3

There are volunteer drivers or an informal network of drivers available for seniors who need transportation. 61.1 11.1 27.8

There are enough parking spaces close to services and stores. 78.9 21.1 0.0There are enough “handicap” parking spaces close to services and stores. 44.4 44.4 11.1

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

Crime and vandalism are a problem. 42.1 52.6 5.3Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the day. 89.5 5.3 5.3Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the night. 50.0 33.3 16.7

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

Seniors are generally treated with respect. 100.0 0.0 0.0Seniors serve in an advisory role to municipal government (e.g., there is a seniors’ council). 42.1 36.8 21.1

Community consultations specifically include seniors. 50.0 5.6 44.4Planning processes specifically consider the needs of seniors (e.g., planning for housing or transportation). 36.8 42.1 21.1

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

The road signs are easy to read and large enough for older drivers. 52.6 36.8 10.5There are sidewalks linking residences and essential services in most or all areas of my community. 17.6 70.6 11.8

Sidewalks in most or all areas of my community are well maintained (even surfaces or paved, not a lot of cracks). 20.0 73.3 6.7

Snow clearing is done in a timely manner so walking and driving is safe. 78.9 15.8 5.3There are enough street crosswalks in busy business areas. 42.9 42.9 14.3There are enough street crosswalks in busy residential and/or recreation areas. 50 28.6 21.4

There are enough public washrooms in key areas of my community (e.g., business and recreation areas). 17.6 76.5 5.9

Public washrooms accommodate people with wheelchairs. 16.7 66.7 16.7Most or all businesses and public buildings are easily accessible to everybody (e.g., have wheelchair ramps, automatic doors). 5.3 89.5 5.3

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). 73.7 26.3 0.0

Local parks or walking trails are accessible and easy to use for seniors (e.g., paths with even surfaces). 52.9 41.2 5.9

There are enough resting areas with benches along paths or trails. 36.8 63.2 0.0There are enough exercise classes specifically for seniors. 57.9 31.6 10.5There are enough recreation programs specifically for seniors (e.g., card games, arts, crafts). 73.7 10.5 15.8

There are enough lifelong learning programs specifically for seniors (e.g., learning new things such as the use of computers). 31.6 42.1 26.3

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

31.6 47.4 21.1

Recreational activities, such as exercise and other recreational programs, are generally affordable for seniors. 78.9 10.5 10.5

Isolated seniors (e.g., those who don’t have anybody) are contacted, visited or taken to activities. 42.1 31.6 26.3

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: November 10, 2010

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

There are enough volunteer opportunities for seniors. 78.9 10.5 10.5There is enough official recognition for seniors who volunteer (e.g., an appreciation banquet or volunteer awards). 73.7 15.8 10.5

There are enough paid job opportunities for seniors. 5.6 61.1 33.3The job opportunities in my neighbourhood accommodate the needs of seniors (e.g., part-time work is available). 36.8 36.8 26.3

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

Information about community events is readily available to seniors. 89.5 10.5 0.0Information about the services and programs provided by various organizations is readily available to seniors. 73.7 5.3 21.1

Official, written information, such as forms or brochures is easy to read and understand (e.g., large print, clear language). 57.9 21.1 21.1

Public telephone answering services are adapted to the needs of seniors (e.g., instructions are given clearly and slowly). 16.7 33.3 50.0

There is enough assistance available for completing official forms (e.g., help with filling out government or income tax forms). 63.2 21.1 15.8

There are enough seniors’ advocacy services available (e.g., an ombudsman to inform others of seniors’ needs). 27.8 27.8 44.4

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. 36.8 36.8 26.3

The services that help seniors around the home (e.g., snow removal, lawn care, garbage brought to the street) are sufficient. 15.8 47.4 36.8

The congregate meal programs available (e.g., lunch at a recreation or senior centre) are sufficient. 52.6 15.8 31.6

The meal delivery services that bring meals to seniors’ homes are sufficient. 16.7 50.0 33.3

The health care services that are provided in my community meet the needs of seniors (e.g., hospital, physicians, eye care). 38.9 50.0 11.1

Public transportation (not provided by family or friends) to health care services that are not provided in my community is sufficient. 17.6 64.7 17.6

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).

42.1 42.1 15.8