Burlington, Age-Friendly Council

In 2016, Community Development Halton received a three-year Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow Grant to enhance the work of the Burlington Age-Friendly Council (BAFC). The Council is made up of an independent body of individuals and organizations dedicated to improving the well-being of older adults. The BAFC works collectively with community members, groups, and organizations to achieve common goals. Currently, there is a focus on building capacity to deliver Empowering Seniors Education Series on topics that are relevant to older adults. The BAFC committee work includes Housing, Transportation and Mobility, Communication & Information, Respect and Social Inclusion and Social Participation.

The BAFC will be addressing the domain of Civic Participation and Employment, its challenges, implications, gaps, and strengths from a variety of perspectives, including issues pertaining to ageism.

Currently, the BAFC is undergoing an evaluation process with results expected in early 2019.

Transportation

• “Let’s Ride the Bus” (3-hour event on a bus with lunch included)
• Free Transit (Offered by the City of Burlington to seniors 65+, Monday to Friday 9:30 am. to 2:30 p.m. This is an 18-month pilot beginning in June)

Housing

• Halton HomeShare Program (Matches older adults with renters who can help with household responsibilities. Halton Housing Help screens applicants and provides follow-up monitoring services)

Social Participation

• Life After Retirement (Lunch and learn sessions for corporate and non-profit partners that explore topics that focus on active aging and are led by volunteer senior connectors)

Respect & Social Inclusion

• Grandpals Program (Intergenerational program where seniors in community and retirement facilities exchange letters with grades 4.5, and 7 classes)
• French Connection (Intergenerational program where French speaking seniors meet every other week with grade 7/8 French immersion students to hold French conversations – improving language skills, breaking down barriers of ageism, and cultivating and enhancing French language)
• ‘It’s Not Right’ Elder Abuse Prevention 

Communication & Information

• Senior Connector Program (Local services train senior volunteers who then set up booths in public spaces to share information with and answer questions from their peers)
• Speakers Bureau (Series on Age-Friendly Topics given in Burlington)
• Empowering Seniors Education Series