Ottawa, City of

The City of Ottawa is leading an Older Adult Plan that supports a long-term vision for a community that values, empowers, and supports older persons and their quality of life.

The Seniors Roundtable provides feedback to City staff on the Older Adult Plan. This forum allows the Seniors Roundtable to engage residents and identify emerging issues affecting older adults. Members of the Seniors Roundtable are residents of Ottawa who are 50 years or older and reflect the City’s diverse population.

The City also works closely with the Council on Aging of Ottawa that leads an Age-Friendly Community Action Plan.

The City of Ottawa is taking action to make Ottawa a more age-friendly city and has been implementing an Older Adult Plan (OAP) since 2012. The OAP 2015-2018 is based on much research and consultations with Ottawa older adults. It contains 51actions to address the needs of Ottawa’s older residents and is organized under the eight age-friendly domains:

• Outdoor spaces and City buildings
• Transportation and mobility
• Housing
• Communication and information
• Social, recreational, and cultural participation
• Civic participation and volunteering
• Community supports and health services
• Respect and social inclusion 

The City of Ottawa is currently planning for its third Older Adult Plan 2019-2022.

Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings

• Sidewalk Curbs (Sidewalk curbs graded from the top of the sidewalk to the street to eliminate tripping hazards)
• Accessibility Upgrades (City facilities had accessibility upgrade)
• Accessibility Rating Tool (City facilities were rated using the new Accessibility Rating Tool)
• Snow Go and Snow Go Assist (Snow removal matching program for seniors to help with snow removal. Snow Go Assist can provide financial assistance for this service)
• Accessible Benches (Installed where older adults travel, including transit stations)

Transportation

• Crosswalk Signals Lengthened
• Accessible Pedestrian Signals (Intersections modified with accessible pedestrian signals and countdown timers)
• Bus Stop Improvements

Housing

• Seniors Affordable Housing Development
• Home Safety (Smart burners, carbon monoxide alarms, and smoke alarms installed for low-income seniors)

Social Participation

• New Fitness Equipment (Locations equipped with older adult appropriate fitness equipment)
• Fall Prevention Workshops
• Techno Buddies (One-on-one computer and technology assistance by teen volunteers)

Respect & Social Inclusion

• Annual Flag Raising (Ceremony to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons)
• Snow Angels (City recognition program for individuals who help seniors or people with disabilities with snow related accessibility)

Civic Participation & Employment

• Senior of the Year Award

Communication & Information

• Programs and Services for Older Adults Guide (Distributed in 5 languages)
• Older Adult Recreation Guides (Distributed in French and English)
• Mental Health Caregiver Guide
• Older Adult Emergency Preparedness kits (Distributed in 6 languages)

Community Support & Health Services

• Free Dental Screening (For low-income seniors)

• Older Adult Plan (2015-2018)
• Older Adult Plan Accomplishments 2015-2017