Access the Age-Friendly Communities Planning Guide

Access the Age-Friendly Communities Planning Guide

Burlington, Age-Friendly Council

AFC Communities - Central, Age-Friendly Communities, Age-Friendly Communities Outreach

Community Profile

Name of Committee: Burlington Age-Friendly Council
Population: 183,314
Contact:

Funding:

  • Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant

This profile was updated July 2018.

 

Age-Friendly Program Description

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.

Current and Completed AFC Projects, Programs and Initiatives

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

 

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