Hamilton, City of

Hamilton is currently at the end of their 4th year of a 5 year implementation plan. This is the first Seniors Strategy (Age Friendly Plan) for Hamilton. In 2019, they will be developing the second iteration of Hamilton’s Age Friendly Plan.  This will include broad community engagement across greater Hamilton, including all rural areas.  The focus will also be reaching diverse populations.

Hamilton’s Age Friendly Plan has 7 goals, 25 objectives and 101 actions.  As of March 2018, 40% of the actions were completed, 50% in the planning or implementing stages, and 10% will be assessed for completion by 2019.

Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings

• All Season Walkability Checklist (Walkability checklist for older adults to audit the walkability and safety of an area)
• Pedestrian Crossovers and Signalized Intersections
• Seniors and Pedestrian Safety Workshops (To increase the safety of senior pedestrians by building capacity around the use of new pedestrian crossovers at signalized intersections)

Transportation

• “Let’s Get Moving” (Two year project designed to inspire older adults to become engaged in active forms of transportation. Comprised of three types of workshops: “Let’s Take the Bus”, “Let’s Ride a Bike”, and “Let’s Take a Walk”)
• Community Bus Program (One year funding to continue to offer free or low cost transportation for seniors and older adults residing in rural communities)
• Grocery Shopping for Older Adults (Brochure to increase awareness about services to assist with grocery shopping in greater Hamilton)

Housing

• Brochures for Landlords (Information and tips about home adaptations for tenants and owners)
• Intergenerational Co-Housing (McMaster University piloting a co-housing program that matches grad students looking for low cost housing with older adults age 55+ in exchange for help with household chores)
• Advocacy for National Housing Strategy (Released in 2017)
• “Housing Options for Older Adults in Hamilton” (Housing Guide)

Social Participation

• Seniors Centres and Clubs (New Seniors Centre in Flamborough in 2015, new Seniors Club in Strathcona neighbourhood in 2017, and new Centre set to open in October 2018)
• 55+ It’s Your Day Recreation Programming (Expanded programming for seniors)
• 55+ Program Guide
• Cyber Seniors (Intergenerational pilot project where seniors are matched with secondary and post-secondary students to learn the basics of the iPad, and to create and share videos stories)
• IMHope (Student-led program that partners elementary schools with retirement homes in their local community for a month-long music engagement program facilitated by McMaster University students)
• Seniors Kick-Off Event (Includes various exhibits, workshops, entertainment, and a luncheon)

Respect & Social Inclusion

• Hamilton Seniors Isolation Impact Plan (3 year funded collaborative (2016-2019) aimed at reducing social isolation among seniors)
• Portraits of Aging (Senior-led initiative to combat ageism by sharing stories, lessons, wisdom and inspirational messages from local older adults)
• Seniors of Canada, Hamilton Project (Led by Gilbrea Student Group at McMaster University, aims to portray seniors as they are to combat age stereotypes through intergenerational picture and story sharing,  funded by the Student Proposals for Intellectual Community and Engaged Scholarship (SPICES))
• Age-Friendly University (McMaster University is the second university in Canada to join the International Age-Friendly University (AFU) network)
• New Customer Service Model (online customer service training program for all City staff)
• Do you Know your Neighbour?
• Positive Aging virtual programming

Civic Participation & Employment

• Peer Connectors (Program recruits and trains older adult volunteers to provide face-to-face contact, connecting seniors with community information and services)
• Senior of the Year Awards (Celebrates those citizens over the age of 65 who have voluntarily contributed to their community in various areas)
• Volunteer Fair (50 organizations and 200 people in attendance, education provided on volunteer opportunities)

Communication & Information

• Community Resources for Older Adults (Guide, available in print or online)
• Resources Webpage for Older Adults (Central source of information and links for older adults)
• Digital Literacy for Older Adults (Programs are offered by the Public Library, YWCA Seniors Active Living Centres and the City’s Recreation Department)
• GERAS Workshops (A series of 12 workshops on a variety of topics including health, housing, etc. developed by GERAS and delivered by volunteer retired experts in the fields)

Community Support & Health Services

• Community Paramedicine Supporting Seniors (Hamilton Paramedic Service supports through home visits, City Housing Hamilton health clinics and remote patient monitoring)
• Elder Abuse Education: “It’s Not Right!” (Train the trainer workshops are being provided by Elder Abuse Ontario in partnership with Hamilton organizations)
• Financial Empowerment Strategy (Social Planning and Research Council (SPRC) has received 3 year funding (2018 to 2021) to help low-income citizens, including seniors access financial resources they are entitled to)

• Action Plan (2014)
• City AFC Website
• CoA AFC Website
• Community Progress Report 2022