Age-Friendly Rural Municipality of Brokenhead and Town of Beausejour Community Consultation SummaryBeausejour, ManitobaMay 5, 2010

Community consultations are being held with seniors and community members across Manitoba as part of a larger Age-Friendly Initiative. The goal of these community consultations is to assist communities with prioritizing issues that will help them form action plans to make their communities age-friendly. On May 5, 2010, 37 residents from the Rural Municipality of Brokenhead (Beausejour, Garson, and Tyndall) came together in the Town of Beausejour, Manitoba to talk about age-friendly priorities and issues within their community. Participants also had the opportunity to complete a survey of the age-friendliness of their community. The following is a summary of the age-friendly priorities identified at the meeting and survey results.

Summary of Group DiscussionAge-Friendly Town of Beausejour and Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Brokenhead Benefits

Sun Gro Centre and walking trail available year ■roundThe Wally Chryplywy Trail on the edge of ■Beausejour is partly paved for cross country skiing, walking and bikingA plan of action is proposed for Beausejour to ■increase safety on Park Avenue and to renew this main streetSenior organizations welcome participation ■Businesses deliver groceries and medications as ■neededResidents are willing to volunteer at large events ■and with senior services, e.g., volunteer driversWeekly column by Services to Seniors provides ■information in The Clipper and the ReviewThe R.M. of Brokenhead and Town of Beausejour ■are welcoming, inclusive and friendlyLiving in the R.M. of Brokenhead and Town of ■Beausejour is affordable and close to larger urban centres and recreational spacesProximity to medical services (local hospital and ■relative proximity to Winnipeg)

Priority: Improve the Trails in Beausejour

Potential Actions:Connect the parks with trails ■Add benches to the 14 km trail ■Increase the safety around the trail areas by making ■trails more usable for those who require mobility aids

Potential Actions—R.M. of Brokenhead:Explore option to clear snow chunks from driveways ■once the streets have been ploughed or assist residents who cannot clear snow chunks on their ownEnforce the speed limit on the main streets ■

Potential Actions—Beausejour:Promote safe crossing on Park Avenue by using the ■crosswalks:

Reassess the placement of crosswalks to ensure ɶlighted crosswalks are at the busiest crossingPlace a lighted crosswalk at the co-op store ɶcrossingAdd a crosswalk at 3rd Street and 4th Street by ɶthe PharmaSave

Change from vertical to parallel parking on Park ■Avenue to increase visibility and safety as parked vehicles move into trafficDiscourage random U-turns on Park Avenue and ■monitor street once the new “no U-Turn signs” are in placeEnsure the double yellow line on Park Avenue is ■clearly visible and residents understand its purposeReplace the uneven brick sidewalks with concrete ■sidewalks according to Beausejour’s Main Street renewal planEncourage private business owners to monitor ■the drainage from their buildings to ensure water does not flow onto the sidewalk and freeze creating slippery ice patches (review with Beausejour Main Street renewal plan)Remove snow banks from Park Avenue sidewalks ■To keep customers safe, raise awareness with ■business owners on Park Avenue about keeping the sidewalks in front of their businesses clear of snow and iceConsider adding lights in back lanes in Beausejour ■

Priority: Raise Awareness About the Safety of Streets With Residents, Business Owners, and the Municipal and Provincial Governments

Priority: Increase and Improve Housing Choices Within the Rural MunicipalityPotential Actions:

Encourage the addition of affordable housing, to ■purchase and to rent, e.g., within BeausejourEnsure parking is adjacent to senior residences to ■ensure safety and independenceCreate assisted living housing ■Add more personal care home options ■Offer supportive housing choices ■Advise Manitoba Housing of needed improvements, ■such as

Install automatic doors ɶAllow space for scooters to recharge and park in ɶgarage spaceEnsure hallways in older person housing ɶare wide with enough room to manoeuvre wheelchairs, e.g., Limestone Villa

Priority: Improve the Accessibility of Public BuildingsPotential Actions:

Allow wheelchair access into and within buildings, ■e.g., curling rink in the Sun Gro Centre, lower levels of churches Encourage business owners to add automatic ■doors and accessible wheelchair entrances when renovatingEncourage store owners to widen aisles, keep aisles ■clear of boxes, keep products within easy reach, and post signs for public washroomsPost signs within towns to identify public washrooms ■that are wheelchair accessible and family friendly, e.g., baby changing stations

Priority: Increase Communication of Services and Social Opportunities Within the R.M. of Brokenhead

Potential Actions:Handi-van: ■

Widely publicize available trip times and terms of ɶuse to residents Communicate and coordinate cost saving ɶopportunities for residents to travel to urban centres in pairs or groups, e.g., for health appointments

Share disaster emergency planning with residents ■so they know who to contact and where to go in specific disaster situations, such as ice stormsPromote information available to residents and new ■residents, e.g., welcome packages from town officesPost volunteer positions and recognition of ■volunteers on a public Web site

Priority: Plan Intergenerational Programs in the Communities and Schools

Potential Actions:Raise awareness regarding respect for seniors, ■adults and youthCreate a “Celebrate Seniors” event ■Encourage succession planning within community ■organizations so there is not a gap in services or learningGenerate opportunities for seniors to mentor youth ■with recreational and community servicesSeek opportunities for cooperation between ■community organizations to streamline volunteer workloads and increase efficient use of fundsCreate youth “drop-in” programs with a cross section ■of volunteersPlan community events that focus on generations ■coming together, e.g., a skateboarding event that allows young and older people to enjoy the skateboarder’s skills

Summary of Survey ResponsesAs part of a community consultation held in the Town of Beausejour on May 5, 2010, residents from the Rural Municipality of Brokenhead were asked to complete a brief questionnaire designed to collect information on the age-friendliness of their community. Thirty-two residents living in the towns of Beausejour, Garson, and Tyndall completed questionnaires. This report summarizes the findings from the 32 residents who completed the Age-Friendly Communities Survey; 63% identified themselves as a senior.

Most Age-Friendly Areas Residents from the R.M. of Brokenhead completed a survey on age-friendliness. Many residents feel that the public transportation available, including Handi-Van, is affordable for seniors and is sufficient for residents with disabilities. Residents also feel that sidewalks link residences and essential services in most or all areas.

Least Age-Friendly AreasResidents from the R.M. of Brokenhead and the Town of Beausejour identified housing as an important issue. Through the survey, many residents identified that waiting times are not reasonable to get into supportive senior housing. There is neither enough subsidized housing for low-income seniors nor is there enough housing that meets the needs of seniors.Accessibility to public buildings and amenities could be improved as residents feel that public washrooms do not accommodate people with wheelchairs and most or all businesses and public buildings are not readily accessible to everybody. Additionally, residents indicated that services helping seniors around the home are not sufficient.The survey showed that seniors do not feel safe when walking alone during the night. Most of the residents identified in the survey that public telephone answering services are not adapted to the needs of seniors, and more intergenerational program are needed as programs that bring seniors and children together are lacking.

Priority AreasResidents were also asked to write down the top five issues they felt needed to be most urgently addressed in their community. Twenty-five out of the 32 residents (78.1%) identified at least one priority area. Written comments were grouped into the priority areas as shown in Figure 1:

Sidewalks/streets (e.g., better sidewalks, sidewalks need to be repaired, safe ■sidewalks, streets-crosswalks); Housing (e.g., housing especially 55+, more affordable living, assisted living); ■Recreational/social activities/programs (e.g., multigenerational programs, more ■social activities, learning opportunities such as technology);Safety (e.g., more patrolling, security at night, emergency planning); ■Communication/social inclusion (e.g., communication on the access of various ■programs, senior involvement, town council); Buildings/accessibility (e.g., handicap parking, easy access to businesses, ■automatic doors); and Transportation (e.g., more volunteer drivers to take seniors to social events/ ■church, transportation for people who can’t or shouldn’t be driving).

Figure 1: Priority Areas Identified by Participants

68%Sidewalks/Streets

40%

40%

68%

Recreation/social activities/programs

Housing

Sidewalks/Streets

36%

36%

40%

40%

68%

Communication/social inclusion

Safety

Recreation/social activities/programs

Housing

Sidewalks/Streets

28%

36%

36%

40%

40%

68%

Buildings/accessibility

Communication/social inclusion

Safety

Recreation/social activities/programs

Housing

Sidewalks/Streets

20%

28%

36%

36%

40%

40%

68%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Transportation

Buildings/accessibility

Communication/social inclusion

Safety

Recreation/social activities/programs

Housing

Sidewalks/Streets

20%

28%

36%

36%

40%

40%

68%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Transportation

Buildings/accessibility

Communication/social inclusion

Safety

Recreation/social activities/programs

Housing

Sidewalks/Streets

% of Participants who Identified Area as a Priority

Age-Friendly Survey Responses

Housing Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

There is enough housing that meets the needs of seniors. 18.8 50.0 31.2Housing for seniors is affordable. 29.0 41.9 29.0There is enough subsidized housing for low-income seniors. 6.7 46.7 46.7The waiting times are reasonable to get into senior housing that provides supports to seniors (e.g., assisted living, nursing homes).

9.4 43.8 46.9

There is enough housing for younger people. 37.5 40.6 21.9

Transportation Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

The public transportation (not provided by family or friends) to shopping, senior centres, religious events, cultural events, and so forth is sufficient.

53.1 31.2 15.6

The public transportation (not provided by family or friends) to and from medical appointments is sufficient. 40.6 28.1 31.2

The transportation that is available for individuals with disabilities (e.g., Handi-Van) is sufficient. 71.9 6.2 21.9

The public transportation (not provided by family or friends), including Handi-Van that is available in my community is affordable for seniors.

75.0 15.6 9.4

There are volunteer drivers or an informal network of drivers available for seniors who need transportation. 53.1 9.4 37.5

There are enough parking spaces close to services and stores. 37.5 40.6 21.9

There are enough “handicap” parking spaces close to services and stores. 28.1 46.9 25.0

Respect and Social Inclusion Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

Seniors are generally treated with respect. 65.6 12.5 21.9Seniors serve in an advisory role to municipal government (e.g., there is a seniors’ council). 53.1 28.1 18.8

Community consultations specifically include seniors. 9.4 37.5 53.1Planning processes specifically consider the needs of seniors (e.g., planning for housing or transportation). 15.6 37.5 46.9

Safety Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

Crime and vandalism are a problem. 65.6 21.9 12.5Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the day. 65.6 18.8 15.6Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the night. 18.8 53.1 28.1

Outdoor Spaces and Buildings Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

The road signs are easy to read and large enough for older drivers. 67.7 29.0 3.2

There are sidewalks linking residences and essential services in most or all areas of my community. 71.0 22.6 6.5

Sidewalks in most or all areas of my community are well maintained (even surfaces or paved, not a lot of cracks). 45.2 45.2 9.7

Snow clearing is done in a timely manner so walking and driving is safe. 58.1 38.7 3.2

There are enough street crosswalks in busy business areas. 40.6 59.4 0.0There are enough street crosswalks in busy residential and/or recreation areas. 38.7 48.4 12.9

There are enough public washrooms in key areas of my community (e.g., business and recreation areas). 21.9 68.8 9.4

Public washrooms accommodate people with wheelchairs. 20.0 50.0 30.0Most or all businesses and public buildings are easily accessible to everybody (e.g., have wheelchair ramps, automatic doors).

19.4 64.5 16.1

Community/Work Force Participation Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

There are enough volunteer opportunities for seniors. 65.6 12.5 21.9There is enough official recognition for seniors who volunteer (e.g., an appreciation banquet or volunteer awards). 53.1 28.1 18.8

There are enough paid job opportunities for seniors. 9.4 37.5 53.1The job opportunities in my neighbourhood accommodate the needs of seniors (e.g., part-time work is available). 15.6 37.5 46.9

Social Participation/Recreation Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

My community has enough pleasant places for walking (e.g., walking trails, parks, well-treed streets). 62.5 28.1 9.4

Local parks or walking trails are accessible and easy to use for seniors (e.g., paths with even surfaces). 54.8 25.8 19.4

There are enough resting areas with benches along paths or trails. 28.1 40.6 31.2

There are enough exercise classes specifically for seniors. 31.2 31.2 37.5There are enough recreation programs specifically for seniors (e.g., card games, arts, crafts). 50.0 18.8 31.2

There are enough lifelong learning programs specifically for seniors (e.g., learning new things such as the use of computers).

31.2 37.5 31.2

There are enough programs in my community that bring seniors and children together (e.g., school reading programs, children spending time with seniors).

3.1 59.4 37.5

Recreational activities, such as exercise and other recreational programs, are generally affordable for seniors. 56.2 12.5 31.2

Isolated seniors (e.g., those who don’t have anybody) are contacted, visited or taken to activities. 31.2 12.5 56.2

Information/Advocacy Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

Information about community events is readily available to seniors. 61.3 12.9 25.8

Information about the services and programs provided by various organizations is readily available to seniors. 58.1 22.6 19.4

Official, written information, such as forms or brochures is easy to read and understand (e.g., large print, clear language).

43.8 28.1 28.1

Public telephone answering services are adapted to the needs of seniors (e.g., instructions are given clearly and slowly). 3.1 40.6 56.2

There is enough assistance available for completing official forms (e.g., help with filling out government or income tax forms).

50.0 12.5 37.5

There are enough seniors’ advocacy services available (e.g., an ombudsman to inform others of seniors’ needs). 15.6 28.1 56.2

The views expressed herein reflect the opinions of the participants and do not necessarily represent the views of the Age-Friendly Communities Community-University Research Alliance (CURA) or the Centre on Aging.

This summary was prepared by the Age-Friendly Communities CURA. The Age-Friendly Communities CURA is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Summary authors: Louise Hutton, Rachel Ines, and Josey Poapst Team leader: Dr. Verena Menec, Canada Research Chair in Healthy Aging, Director, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba

For more information contact:

Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba 338 Isbister Building Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-8754 Fax: (204) 474-7576 Email: aging@umanitoba.ca Web site: www.umanitoba.ca/centres/aging/cura/

Published: June 25, 2010

Health and Community Services Percent Responding (%)Yes No Don’t Know

The home care services that support seniors in their own home (e.g., meal preparation, nursing care) are sufficient. 40.6 15.6 43.8

The services that help seniors around the home (e.g., snow removal, lawn care, garbage brought to the street) are sufficient.

18.8 25.0 56.2

The congregate meal programs available (e.g., lunch at a recreation or senior centre) are sufficient. 28.1 15.6 56.2

The meal delivery services that bring meals to seniors’ homes are sufficient. 31.2 9.4 59.4

The health care services that are provided in my community meet the needs of seniors (e.g., hospital, physicians, eye care).

53.3 16.7 30.0

Public transportation (not provided by family or friends) to health care services that are not provided in my community is sufficient.

34.4 31.2 34.4

Access to health care that are not provided in my community is generally convenient (e.g., services not too far away, appointment times are convenient).

31.2 28.1 40.6