Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities: A Guide
The guide explains what is meant by “age-friendly” and how to identify the common barriers and assets to a community being age-friendly.
- Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities: A Guide –
PDF or HTML - Development of the Guide
- Related Guides
In September 2006, the Canadian Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors endorsed the Age-Friendly Rural/Remote Communities Initiative (AFRRCI) to:
- Increase awareness of what seniors need to maintain active, healthy and productive lives within their communities; and
- Produce a practical guide that identifies common barriers, and fosters dialogue and action that supports the development of age-friendly communities.
Focus groups were held in ten communities across the country. In Alberta, High Prairie was chosen for its vibrant and ethnically diverse seniors’ population, active seniors’ organizations representing Métis and Aboriginal interests, and strong Family and Community Support Services presence.
Seniors, caregivers, services providers, community leaders and other stakeholders were consulted on the age-friendliness of the physical environment, housing, transportation, community supports, and social and civic inclusion.
The Seniors F/P/T forum used the information from the consultations in developing the Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities: A Guide. The guide is designed to assist rural and remote communities with supporting, promoting and developing the age-friendliness of their communities.
In late 2007, the guide was presented by the F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors to the World Health Organization (WHO). The guide complements the WHO’s Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide. Both guides support the vision of healthy aging in Healthy Aging in Canada: A New Vision, a Vital Investment, From Evidence to Action - A Background Paper.
- WHO: Global Age-Friendly Cities: A Guide
- Healthy Aging in Canada: A New Vision, A Vital Investment, From Evidence to Action – A Background Paper
