Richmond Hill launches age-friendly community initiative

Residents aged 55+ invited to give feedback

Yorkregion.com
June 17, 2021
Yoyo Yan

The City of Richmond Hill is launching an Age-Friendly Community initiative, to help provide a safe, supportive environment for older residents now and in the future. As part of this initiative, residents 55 years of age and older will have multiple ways throughout the summer to provide input.

An online survey is available now until July 16. The survey asks residents for their thoughts on living in Richmond Hill in three specific categories: social participation; respect and social inclusion; and civic participation and employment.

In addition to the survey, city staff will be connecting with residents through online focus groups later this summer. Those who wish to take part in an Age-Friendly Community focus group are encouraged to email adults55+@richmondhill.ca. Residents who prefer to complete the survey through a live telephone interview can leave a message at 416-427-3623 to arrange an appointment.

Results of the research will be shared in fall 2021. It will inform the action plan of Richmond Hill's first Age-Friendly Community initiative, which is a key project under the Council Strategic Priority "Strong Sense of Belonging."

Residents can visit RichmondHill.ca/AgeFriendly for more information and subscribe to the page for updates.

QUICK FACTS

• Older adults aged 55+ comprised 24% of Richmond Hill's population in the 2016 census and that percentage is expected to grow with the release of the 2021 census.

• The Age-Friendly Community survey is a collaboration with the City's Comprehensive Zoning By-law project, Zone RH, and therefore includes questions about what types of aging in place options residents want in their neighbourhood.

• The World Health Organization's age-friendly cities approach highlights a number of categories that communities can address to better adapt their structures and services to the needs of older people. Richmond Hill's Age-Friendly Community initiative is focusing on three: social participation; respect and social inclusion; and civic participation and employment.

• Richmond Hill offers a wide range of programming and supports for our 55+ residents. Learn more at RichmondHill.ca/Seniors.