Newsletters, Resources & FAQ’s

Newsletters

Resources

Manitoba

Manitoba Association of Senior Communities

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Transportation Options Network for Seniors

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Intergenerational Manitoba

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Active Aging Manitoba

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Dementia-Friendly Communities - Alzheimer Society of Manitoba

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Age-Friendly Business Checklist

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2021/22 Age Friendly Manitoba New Horizons Summary Report

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2022/23 Age Friendly Manitoba New Horizons Summary Report

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Canada

Public Health Agency of Canada — Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities: A Guide

Public Health Agency of Canada — Age-Friendly Communities

World

WHO — Global Age Friendly Cities: A Guide

WHO — World Health Organization Age-Friendly World

FAQ’s

Question: What is an Age-Friendly Community?

Answer: An Age-Friendly community is for people of all ages and recognizes the important role that those in a community play to contribute to the health and well-being of its citizens.  An Age-Friendly community is a healthy community that allows people of all ages to lead an active lifestyle and to continue to live where they wish to be as they age.

Answer: Large or small, rural, remote or urban, communities throughout Manitoba, across Canada and around the world are working to become more age-friendly. Becoming more age-friendly is a shared responsibility. Residents of all ages, the business community, service providers and the municipal government all have key leadership roles to play.

Answer: In Manitoba, communities are invited to apply to formally become an Age-Friendly community.

Answer: A legal entity that is incorporated, such as a city, town, village, rural municipality or local government district can apply.

Answer: A small grant is available from the Government of Manitoba, upon successful completion of the registration form, to help the community get started. The grant is offered to the Age-Friendly committee or incorporated group through the local government.

Answer: A registration form is available on the website (click here) and can be completed by a local contact person and signed by the local reeve or mayor.

Answer: Both the built and social environments of a community contain key components of the age-friendly model. Transportation, social participation and inclusion, housing, recreation, social services, health and community services as well as effective communication and opportunities for voluntarism, employment and civic participation are central to a healthy and active life.

Becoming more Age-Friendly is a shared responsibility. Residents of all ages, the business community, service providers and the municipal government all have key leadership roles to play. Viewing projects, programs, spaces and services through an Age-Friendly lens help to make the best age-friendly choices.

Answer: As our population continues to age, we now have more Canadians over the age of 65 than under the age of 15. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to promote the importance of health aging through the development of Age-Friendly communities. Manitoba communities and neighbourhoods offer a broad range of resources for people to do the things important to them.

Answer: While Age-Friendly communities offer resources that support older residents, so too do older citizens support their community. Every day, older people contribute to their community as employers and employees, as innovators and caregivers and as volunteers and role models. And with more people in Canada over the age of 65 than under the age of 15, it is important that older people and their community remain connected.

Answer: As the WHO notes, ageist attitudes remain a fundamental barrier to building inclusive and age-friendly environments. Manitoba, like other Provinces, has much to still accomplish, in promoting more positive attitudes and images with respect to aging. As one realizes that program and service delivery are not costs but rather are investments that reap many returns.

Answer: Age-friendly communities have grown into a global movement, with hundreds of communities in more than 40 countries. Manitoba has been a global leader with more than 90 local governments engaged. The 90 communities represent 80% of the population that live in communities that are on the path to becoming more age-friendly.

Answer: In creating the Age-Friendly movement, the WHO has provided guidelines for communities to built on the resources that support healthy aging. It also gives communities a platform to identify and address barriers that limit opportunities for older people to age well and contribute to their community.

Answer: The Manitoba Association of Senior Centres (MASC) is Manitoba’s champion in working with communities to support healthy aging. With funding from Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living as well as the Winnipeg Foundation, MASC has been and will continue to host workshops and discussions that allow for collaboration and planning.
MASC has an Age-Friendly Resource Team that can visit communities (in person or virtual) across the Province and support local interests in becoming more age-friendly.