Volume: 1 ❘ October 2020

Communities committed to healthy, active aging

Mission: To facilitate healthy aging by providing leadership and encouraging collaboration in creating age-friendly places (communities) that optimize the ability of all older Manitobans to do the things they feel are important. MOVING AGE-FRIENDLY (AF) FORWARD Your age-friendly community is in good company, • The AF initiative is alive and well in many communities globally, across Canada and throughout . but in others, interest and action has waned Yours is one of 90 Manitoba communities that have embarked on the journey of becoming more age- • Many communities are looking for ways and means friendly, sharing in a unique vision that integrates a to re-activate, refresh and renew community’s social environment - the people part, • Local government is a key player in success moving with the built environment - the place part. There are forward but there is recognition that success is a fundamental outcomes everyone wants from the shared responsibility community in which they live - healthy active lifestyles, staying in their neighbourhood, feeling safe and being • Amalgamations, elections and competing demands valued and respected. have dimmed awareness of AF in some communities This new e-newsletter will arrive in your inbox monthly • Engaging volunteers and community champions is and we encourage you to share the information widely important but not always easy in your community. The Manitoba Association of Senior Centres (MASC) is providing leadership to the Age- • Several communities would like to participate in a Friendly Manitoba Initiative and this includes the services network to share promising practices. and consultative support o ered by the Age-Friendly The Team appreciates the perspectives that have been Resource Team. shared through this consultation process and we will Members of the Team have recently conducted phone share our ideas in future newsletters as we look for ways interviews, perhaps with you, as we endeavor to take to collaborate with you in your age-friendly journey. the pulse of initiatives at the community level. We want MASC is very excited to introduce all of you to the most to express a heartfelt thank-you for the meaningful input recent community to join the AF Manitoba Initiative, we received and want to share some of the fi ndings: Pine Dock ... Research Project on the Impact and Sustainability of Age-Friendly Community Initiatives in Manitoba

A team of researchers from the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative. encountered, as well as, what University of Manitoba and Brandon In this 3-year research project, the the impact of the age-friendly University has partnered with the researchers aim to fi nd out how initiative on older people and the Age-Friendly Resource Team to communities have become more community, and what would help fi nd out what’s been happening in age-friendly, what has worked well communities sustain or revitalize the communities that are part of the and what challenges have been Continued on page 2 Continued from page 1 initiative. Dr. Verena Menec Age-Friendly Cities project. This have since been involved in (Community Health Sciences, project was the beginning of the numerous projects on age-friendly University of Manitoba), who is the global age-friendly movement and communities. The team hopes that lead on the project, fi rst started to set the stage for the Age-Friendly their research will help communities research age-friendly communities Manitoba Initiative. Both she on their journey to become more in 2006, when and her colleagues, Drs. Richard age-friendly and, ultimately, will became one of 33 cities around Milgrom (City Planning, University benefi t older adults in their daily the word that participated in the of Manitoba) and Nancy Newall lives. World Health Organization Global (Psychology, Brandon University)

AF Manitoba Initiative: Pine Dock

Pine Dock is a small fi shing have been purchased and community by Lake with placed in locations throughout a population of 55 ( 2016 census) the community which provide with over half the population age a resting, visiting and refl ective 55 years or older. In February 2020, spot for community members following a community council who are out walking. Discussion resolution to support, promote and has commenced with local Lots of laughter, work toward the coming becoming businesses in the area for visiting, friendly more age friendly and a community support of updating playground competition, and round table to develop age friendly equipment and increased use good food. There were challenges priorities, Pine Dock was designated of the green space…for residents and concerns with COVID 19, as an Age-Friendly Community and for children and grandchildren but physical distancing was through Manitoba Health, Seniors who come to visit. encouraged with the gathering and Active Living Department. A BBQ and lawn games evening being held outside, setting up of During the past 6 months, were held to celebrate Manitoba’s seating arrangements and food discussions and planning have 150 Birthday on July 15th. There prep and serving being done with taken place to address the priorities was a great turnout with 35 people masks and gloves. It was a great established from the community attending with ages ranging from community evening! round table meeting. Park benches 1 year old to 80 years of age!

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Contact our consultants Don Fletcher Jim Hamilton Louise Hutton Mary Mitchell Connie Newman Brenda Tonn

Through MASC - Connie Newman at (204) 792-5838 or [email protected]