Provincial Support for Age Friendly Pilot Sites and Community Initiatives
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Government of Alberta to establish a specific ongoing fund for provincial “age friendly” pilot sites and initiatives throughout Alberta.
WHEREAS Alberta has an aging population;
WHEREAS the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the WHO Age Friendly Cities Guide and Checklist of Essential Features of Age Friendly Cities;
WHEREAS international research demonstrates that age-friendly cities benefit everyone: children, persons of all abilities and seniors;
WHEREAS communities across Alberta need to proactively plan to support and involve the growing number of seniors in their community;
WHEREAS “age friendly funding” and community pilot sites currently exist in the provinces of British Columbia, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Manitoba; and
WHEREAS provincial “age friendly” funding is not available in Alberta.
Jun 16, 2010 - Seniors and Community Supports
Due to the current fiscal situation there is currently no funding available within Seniors and Community Supports for age-friendly pilot grants. However, the Rural Alberta Development Fund fulfills a commitment by government to support communities, regional alliances, government departments and not-for-profit organizations to invest in projects that stimulate economic growth and address rural challenges and opportunities. Initiatives which would support the creation of Age-friendly communities would fall within the scope of this fund.
In addition, the Municipal Sustainability Imitative provides municipalities with sustainable funding to assist in meeting the challenges of growth and enhancing long-term sustainability. Municipalities can consider initiatives that support age friendly communities in concert with other priorities such as infrastructure, public transportation and recreational facilities, as well as support non-profit organizations.
On June 11, 2010, Health and Wellness announced a new initiative to help seniors age in place in their own community. Through this initiative, Health and Wellness is providing $500,000 over two years to support “neighbours helping neighbours” initiative that partner volunteers with seniors and persons with disabilities to help them with everyday tasks and keep connected with their community.
Seniors and Community Supports will be continuing to consider ways to facilitate and support the development of age-friendly communities in Alberta. A webpage which will provide insight and practical ideas to support communities in developing age-friendly communities and finding potential solutions to overcome challenges in becoming age-friendly will soon be available on the Ministry’s website.
AUMA files this response.