Report to: General Committee Date
Report Authored:
SUBJECT: Establishment of a Seniors’ Advisory Committee
PREPARED BY: Cheryl McConney-Wilson, ext 2557
Nadine Daley, ext 3225
RECOMMENDATION:
- To establish a diverse Seniors’ Advisory Committee to actively
engage and increase participation from seniors in
- To create opportunities for
- and that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the report is to obtain
approval to establish a Seniors’ Advisory Committee. There is an opportunity to enrich and enhance
the lives of seniors within
Social Inclusion is an essential feature of a sustainable community. The establishment of a Seniors’ Advisory Committee creates a vehicle for social inclusion. The active participation of this committee will allow a wide range of perspectives from the community to be brought forward.
BACKGROUND:
Council’s strategic direction recognizes
the need to hear from the seniors community. In addition to providing services
to a demographic which includes retirees, pre-retirees, those who are active,
or less active,
·
By 2016, it is projected that
the older adult population in
·
Seniors 65+ are most highly represented
in Wards 1, 3, and 4[3]
·
In 2011, the first baby boomers
will reach the age of 65. With age 65 being the typical retirement age, it is
expected that 25% of York Region’s workforce will retire in the next several years[4]
DISCUSSION:
Through a series of internal and external consultations, it was revealed that seniors have many common concerns. The concerns identified include improving transportation, developing more effective communication, and creating affordable and accessible multipurpose meeting spaces. In the initial phase of operation, the Seniors’ Advisory Committee may wish to explore these concerns and investigate the following opportunities:
- Promoting intergenerational opportunities to benefit seniors and their families. i.e. Advisory Committee-led opportunities to liaise with those responsible for Elder Care planning, partnering between single parent-led families and seniors
- Subsidizing some of the necessary services to seniors (such as transportation) and exploring the challenges of limited income support.
- Partnering with the Accessibility Committee on issues concerning access and disability
- Exploring Federal partnerships such as New Horizons for Seniors (Community Partnership and Leadership, Capital Assistance and Elder Abuse Awareness)
- Ensuring that spaces and parking for seniors are specifically
allocated and designed to be accessible and safe
Best
Practices:
As a best practice, several organizations have recognized that the needs of seniors require immediate attention and strategic responses. Creative organizational practices include:
- Offering senior-friendly programs in the
evenings and on weekends for seniors who are otherwise occupied during the
day or unable to rely on caregiver support during the day
- Providing Customer Service training for
front line staff which is focused on welcoming and providing high support
and direction to seniors
- Requesting seniors with a broad range of
experiences and perspectives “test out” or evaluate levels of customer
service at Town facilities
- Instituting a program of “Senior Greeters” to increase the
visibility of active seniors
See Appendix A for additional examples of organizational best practices in the area of aging.
committee Role and Composition:
The overall role of the committee is to provide Council with advice, identify barriers and opportunities, and form partnerships. An annual action plan will be prepared and the committee will report to Council on its accomplishments.
The Seniors’ Committee will be:
- Comprised of twelve members of the public appointed by Council. At least six of the members shall be individuals 55 years of age or older. Members are to be selected for their knowledge, expertise, community experience and ability to participate in meetings
- One member shall be chosen from the executive of the Seniors’
Clubs in
- Five members shall be chosen from not-for-profit community agencies servicing the needs of the seniors’ community
- Five members shall represent the seniors’ community-at-large in
- A Regional Councillor shall also be appointed to facilitate the discussion of Regional issues
- At least six of the members shall represent visible minority or new immigrant communities
All appointments to the Seniors’ Advisory
Committee shall follow the Town of
The inaugural meeting will be held as soon as representatives are confirmed. A schedule of meeting dates will be finalized at the first meeting.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Meeting expenses in 2010 will be addressed through existing Accessibility and Human Resource accounts.
It is recommended that the Seniors’ Advisory Committee be eligible for an annual grant under the Seniors Grant Program to facilitate activities that may be identified in their action plan.
The Town of
HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS:
Consistent with the resources provided to other Council Advisory Committees, the Clerk’s department will assign resources for administrative support.
The Town’s Seniors Coordinator from Recreation Services, Community and Fire Services Commission, shall provide advisory support to the Committee.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
The development of a Seniors’ Advisory Committee is central to Council’s overall focus on diversity and inclusion. Consideration of these issues also informs the planning of the other strategic areas of Growth Management, Parks, Recreation, Culture and the Library.
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix A: Best Practices
Appendix B: Seniors’ Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Staff from various Town departments and external agencies were consulted and may have representation or be requested to provide support for the Advisory Committee.
RECOMMENDED
BY: ________________________ ________________________
Sharon Laing John Livey
Director
of