Master Aging Plan for Brantford and Brant County
Discussion Paper

A Request for Stakeholder Input

Our population is aging rapidly and we need to plan today to meet the needs of tomorrow. The Ontario Trillium Foundation has funded the development of a Master Aging Plan for Brantford and Brant County. The plan will serve as a road map for change and development in preparation for the expected increased demand on services for seniors. Development of the plan is being overseen by a Steering Committee of local community members and work has been underway for several months. This discussion paper has been prepared to inform you about the project and solicit your responses to the emerging goals and objectives.

The Process to Date

• The Steering Committee recruited a consultant to support the project and established three separate planning committees of service providers to focus on different segments of the aging population - well and fit seniors, seniors requiring some assistance with daily living and seniors requiring 24-hour assistance.
• Each planning committee met in May to review data collected by the consultant and make a preliminary identification of the needs of seniors in their target group.
• During the first two weeks of June, seven community forums were held at different locations to gather information about the views and experiences of seniors and their family members concerning the range of health, recreational, educational and other community services available to older adults in Brantford and Brant County.
• The planning committees met again in late June to review the feedback from the forums and develop some preliminary goals and objectives.

What Happens Next?

The next step of the consultation process begins with this discussion paper, which reflects the thinking of the participants in the planning process so far. This is "work in progress" that will evolve as we hear more from our various stakeholders. Please read it carefully and consider the questions posed.

Individuals, groups or organizations may complete the following discussion paper. Submissions go directly to the planning consultant. Focus questions have been provided to guide discussion and feedback. Your responses need to be received by Friday, August 8, 2008.

You can reply on line below by typing your comments in the spaces provided. At the end of the paper you will have an opportunity to edit your responses. It is not necessary to answer all the focus questions - just pick the items that you are interested in.

A comprehensive plan will be developed based on input received, finalized by the Steering Committee in late August and presented to the community in the fall.

SITUATION ANALYSIS

Population Trends

Currently the highest concentrations of seniors are in areas that were developed 40 to 50 years ago such as the Henderson survey, Fairview, Green Briar and the East Ward area of Brantford. Many areas of Brant County have relatively lower concentrations of seniors, suggesting that there may be a movement of older individuals from rural Brant County to Brantford or Paris where more services are available.

The seniors' population has been increasing in Brantford and Brant County, and will continue to do so at an accelerating rate as the "baby boomers" age. The area already has fewer people in the 20 to 44 age group and a higher proportion of seniors than the provincial average. A review of recent census data and projections from established sources shows that the growth of the over 65 age group will have a significant impact on the Brantford and Brant County community in the next two decades. The population of seniors will more than double, growing from 19,000 in 2007 to close to 40,000 people in 2031. This projection does not take into account seniors moving into the area, so the actual increase will likely be much larger.

All reports suggest that the new "crop" of seniors will be active, engaged, demanding and have high expectations of community services.

Seniors' Needs

Seniors needs identified by the planning committees and participants at the community forums related to transportation, housing, social and recreational opportunities, safety, professional and retail services and health care.

Transportation

Transportation was regarded as a major priority by all three planning committees and by participants at all the community forums. Specific needs identified included:

• Improved traffic signs, parking, graduated licenses and driver training for seniors who drive their own vehicles
• A simplified bus schedule for seniors using public transit
• More "pedestrian friendly" urban environments - with ramps, level sidewalks, benches, etc.
• Regular transportation from the rural areas to Brantford and Paris
• Expanded and more flexible transportation services for the mobility impaired
• Subsidized taxi fares
• Expanded home delivery services
• Improved accessibility and attendant support for seniors once they arrive at their destinations
• Transition planning for individuals as their transportation options change

Housing

Housing is also a major priority emerging from the consultation so far. Identified needs included:

• Home maintenance support for seniors living at home as well as relief in property taxes and house upgrade costs
• An increase in the supply of seniors apartments that are affordable, accessible and appropriate in size and layout
• More RGI (rent geared to income) units
• Greater availability of long term care beds and reduced wait lists
• Transition planning and support for seniors dealing with a change in their housing situation

Housing needs are particularly acute in the rural areas where there is a lack of housing facilities and an understandable reluctance of seniors to move out of their home communities.

Social and Recreational Opportunities

This was the third most frequently mentioned category of needs and is affected by transportation, accessibility and housing circumstances. A lack of recreational activities can lead to declining physical health and a lack of social activities can lead to isolation and declining mental health.

Many outlets for social and recreational activities exist in Brantford and Brant County including formal recreation centres as well as identified gathering points such as libraries, community centres and legion halls. Faith-based organizations, particularly the traditional churches, have high concentrations of seniors active in committees and events, but congregations are declining. Legions are also losing members. Seniors in retirement homes and long-term care homes have access to in-house social and recreational programming but often drop their ties to community recreation when they enter a long-term care home.

There was a low level of knowledge of seniors about the full range of social and recreational options that are in fact available to them. An example would be in the case of education where many educational options for seniors are offered by Nipissing University, Mohawk College and Wilfrid Laurier University but the uptake of these by seniors has been low.

Needs identified by forum participants and members of the planning committee included:

• Greater variety in social activities (Card games were the most common event)
• Increased intergenerational programming, linked to existing generic programming where possible
• Improved accessibility to facilities and events for people with physical disabilities
• More information about services available

Safety and Security

Seniors at the forums did not raise major concerns about their safety and security, but there were some reports of attempted door-to-door, phone and Internet scams and some mentions of recent crime reports in Brantford. The revitalization of Brantford's downtown area may be moving crime out to the East Ward which has a high concentration of seniors. All participants in the sessions had high praise for the police and emergency response personnel. However, some needs re: safety and security were identified by the planning committees, particularly in the case of mobility impaired seniors.

• Continued crime prevention and awareness initiatives
• Safety training for mobility impaired seniors
• Ongoing support by police and other emergency services personnel

Professional and Retail Services

Retail services for seniors were rated as good in the urban areas, but there was limited choice and some gaps in the rural areas. Professional services, such as financial and legal advice are available, but were seen as costly and sometimes difficult to access. Seniors would sometime rely on family members but in many case families were not living in the area or were busy and unable to assist. Government services are available in Brantford and through full-service post offices in rural areas. There were some issues reported re: complexity and voice mail. Identified needs included:

• Simple, transparent "one-stop shopping" access to government services
• Independent and objective financial and legal advice
• Reduced cost legal services for seniors
• More services in rural areas

Health Care

Most seniors attending the forums had family doctors, who in many cases were nearing retirement and/or working reduced hours. Seniors did refer to long waits for specialists, the high cost of dental care, and in some cases a certain amount of "ageism" and lack of understanding on the part of health care professionals. Pharmacists emerged as a significant provider of information and advice. As with the other categories, many seniors were unaware of the services that were in fact available to them through the CCAC and local health associations and agencies. Identified needs included:

• More family physicians and improved access to specialists
• Provider education re: specific seniors needs and issues
• Increased awareness of therapies available
• Reduced cost dental services for seniors
• More lab services in rural areas
• More information about health services available and how to access them

Seniors and Mental Health

A recent research project commissioned by the Brant Mental Health and Addictions Network and funded by the Brant Geriatric Outreach Program looked at the needs of seniors with mental health and addictions issues living in Brantford and Brant County. The study projected large increases in the numbers of seniors with mental illness living in the community. Identified needs were:

• More family physicians, specialized care providers and family/caregiver supports
• Improved linkages, communication and follow-up between and among service providers, especially family physicians, geriatricians and psychiatrist
• Greater knowledge and understanding of seniors' mental health and addictions issues and services by service providers
• Improved transportation
• Public education to reduce stigma

VISION

A vision statement describes the "preferred future state" of a community and its stakeholders. The planning committees engaged in a visioning exercise to develop elements of a future vision for seniors in Brantford and Brant County:

A senior population that is independent, healthy, aware, informed, active and connected with the community through:

• An integrated transportation system
• Expanded programs, services and facilities
• Coordination across agencies
• Improved resources and supports
• A high level of community engagement

EMERGING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The following draft goals and objectives were developed at the second round of planning committees in June. They pertain to infrastructure, community services, health and wellness, support systems and community profile.

• Coordinated and integrated with seniors' housing
• Encompasses rural as well as urban areas
• Builds on and enhances the regular transportation system
• Addresses seasonal needs
• Funded and coordinated by multiple community organizations

Respondent Profile

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Feel free to make any other comments or suggestions to assist us with our planning process.