How To Find Out What Is Most Age Friendly

Age-Friendly Communities in

Manitoba

Rural Municipality of Macdonald,

Manitoba

Age-Friendly Rural Municipality of

Macdonald

Community Survey

February 2010

Individuals in the Rural Municipality of Macdonald completed a

brief questionnaire, adapted from the Centre on Aging, University

of Manitoba, to collect information on the age-friendliness of their

community.

A total of 95 questionnaires were completed from seven communities

in the Rural Municipality of Macdonald including Starbuck, Brunkild,

Domain, LaSalle, Oak Bluff, and Sandford. This summary reflects the

responses for the Rural Municipality of Macdonald.

Summary of Survey Responses

The Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Macdonald is currently participating in the

Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative supported by the Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat

of the Province of Manitoba. To collect information on the age-friendliness of the

R.M., the Macdonald Age-Friendly Advisory Committee distributed a questionnaire to

six communities (Brunkild, Domain, La Salle, Oak Bluff, Sanford and Starbuck) within

the R.M. of Macdonald in May of 2009.

A total of 95 questionnaires were completed as follows:

Brunkild (7)

■

Domain (8)

■

La Salle (33)

■

Oak Bluff (13)

■

Sanford (12)

■

Starbuck (17)

■

Five individuals did not indicate which community they were from. This report

summarizes the findings from the 95 individuals who completed the Age-Friendly

Communities Survey; 53% identified themselves as a senior.

Most Age-Friendly Areas

Residents in the R.M. of Macdonald identified the following areas as the most

age-friendly:

Seniors in my community are generally treated with respect (87.2%).

■

Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the day in my community

■

(86.3%).

Snow clearing in my community is done in a timely manner (80.0%).

■

Least Age-Friendly Areas

Through the survey, residents identified the following areas as least age-friendly:

Sidewalks in most or all areas of my community are well maintained (paved,

■

even and not a lot of cracks) (17.4%).

Transportation (not provided by family or friends), such as that available

■

through Macdonald Services to Seniors in my community is affordable for

seniors (17.0%).

The health care services that are provided in my community meet needs of

■

seniors (16.8%).

Official, written information, such as forms or brochures is adapted to the

■

needs of seniors in my community (e.g., large print) (15.2%).

There are enough programs in my community that bring seniors and children

■

together (e.g., school reading programs) (13.2%).

There is enough assistance available in my community for completing official

■

forms (e.g., help with filling out income tax forms) (13.0%).

There are enough exercise classes specifically for seniors in my community

■

(10.8%).

The waiting times to get into senior housing are reasonable in my community

■

(10.1%).

There is enough housing for seniors in my community (9.5%).

■

The job opportunities in my community accommodate the needs of seniors

■

(e.g., part-time work is available) (6.8%).

There is enough subsidized housing for low-income seniors in my

■

community (6.7%).

There are enough lifelong learning programs specifically for seniors in my

■

community (e.g., computer courses) (5.5%).

There are enough paid job opportunities for seniors in my community (5.4%).

■

Public telephone answering services in my community are adapted to the

■

needs of seniors (e.g., instructions are given slowly enough) (4.3%).

There is enough rental housing in my community for people 55 years and

■

older (3.2%).

There is enough rental housing for younger people in my community (3.2%).

■

The transportation that is available for individuals with disabilities is sufficient

■

Priority Areas

Individuals were also asked to write down the top five issues they felt needed to

be most urgently addressed in their community. Sixty-seven participants (70.5%)

identified at least one priority area.

These written comments were grouped into the priority areas as shown in Figure 1:

Housing (e.g., 55+ housing, affordable housing, condos, rental housing,

■

affordable housing for young and old, one-floor housing)

Sidewalks/road crossings (e.g., fix and enlarge sidewalks, sidewalks need

■

repairs, improve sidewalks, more sidewalks, safe road crossings on main

streets)

Recreation/social programs (e.g., affordable sports/recreational activities,

■

exercise centre, drop-in centre for seniors to use during the day and teens in

the evening, social activities for men, new community facility)

Community services/programs (e.g., mobile library service, access to

■

shopping, delivery service for groceries, meal program, help with renovations

around the house)

Health services (e.g., doctors, medical services, medical facilities, pharmacy,

■

home care); safety (e.g., improve lighting on streets, petty theft and

vandalism, more RCMP presence, control speeding on residential streets)

Transportation (e.g., transportation, Handi Transit, regular shuttle to and

■

from the city for shopping and medical appointments)

Information (e.g, more information on services needed, more information

■

on what is going on in community, notify by phone of activities, services

provided to seniors should be more advertised and explained)

Building accessibility/public washrooms (e.g., automatic doors at bank/

■

credit union, easy access to all businesses, public washrooms, wheelchair

accessibility); and,

Walking paths/bike trails (e.g., walking paths, hiking trails, bike trails).

■

Figure 1: Priority Areas Identified by Participants

Age-Friendly Survey Responses

36% 61% Recreation/social Sidewalks/roadcrossings Housing 24% 27% 31% 36% 61% Health services Communityservices/ programs Recreation/social programs Sidewalks/roadcrossings Housing 21% 24% 24% 27% 31% 36% 61% Transportation Safety Healthservices Communityservices/ programs Recreation/social programs Sidewalks/roadcrossings Housing 18% 19% 21% 24% 24% 27% 31% 36% 61% Buildingaccessibility/ public washrooms Information Transportation Safety Healthservices Communityservices/ programs Recreation/social programs Sidewalks/roadcrossings Housing 18% 18% 19% 21% 24% 24% 27% 31% 36% 61% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Walkingpaths/biketrails Buildingaccessibility/ publicwashrooms Information Transportation Safety Healthservices Communityservices/ programs Recreation/social programs Sidewalks/roadcrossings Housing 18% 18% 19% 21% 24% 24% 27% 31% 36% 61% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Walkingpaths/biketrails Buildingaccessibility/ publicwashrooms Information Transportation Safety Healthservices Communityservices/ programs Recreation/social programs Sidewalks/roadcrossings Housing

%ofParticipantswho IdentifiedAreaasaPriority

Housing

_Yes

Percent Responding

_{No Don’t Know}

There is enough housing for seniors. 9.5 58.9 31.6 Housing for seniors is affordable. 22.8 25.0 52.2 There is enough subsidized housing for low-income seniors. 6.7 36.0 57.3 The waiting times to get into senior housing are reasonable. 10.1 28.1 61.8 There is enough housing for younger people. 29.8 48.9 21.3 There is enough rental housing for people 55 years and

older. 3.2 68.8 28.0

There is enough rental housing for younger people. 3.2 68.1 28.7

Transportation

_Yes

Percent Responding

_{No Don’t Know}

The transportation that is available for individuals with

disabilities is sufficient. 2.2 49.5 48.4

The public transportation (not provided by family or friends), such as that available through Macdonald Services to

Seniors is affordable for seniors. 17.0 12.8 70.2 A Handi Transit is a service that would provide transportation

for people who are unable to travel independently. Services are typically offered on a cost recovery basis. Would you use this service?

Safety

_Yes

Percent Responding

_{No Don’t Know}

Crime and vandalism are a problem. 17.9 68.4 13.7 Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the day. 86.3 0.0 13.7 Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the night. 62.1 11.6 26.3 There is adequate lighting in my community. 58.9 32.6 8.4

Infrastructure

_Yes

Percent Responding

_{No Don’t Know}

There are sidewalks linking residences and essential

services in most or all areas of my community. 30.5 66.3 3.2 The road signs are adapted to the needs of older drivers

(e.g., large signs). 35.2 46.2 18.7

Sidewalks in most or all areas of my community are well

maintained (paved, even and not a lot of cracks). 17.4 67.4 15.2 Snow clearing is done in a timely manner. 80.0 14.7 5.3 There are enough street crosswalks in business areas. 42.2 46.7 11.1 There are enough street crosswalks in busy residential and/

or recreation areas. 29.5 50.0 20.5

There are enough public washrooms in key areas of my

community (e.g., business and recreation areas). 23.9 57.6 18.5 Most or all businesses are readily accessible to seniors

(e.g., have wheelchair ramps, automatic doors). 26.6 56.4 17.0

Social Participation/Recreation

_Yes

Percent Responding

_{No Don’t Know}

Walking trails are accessible to seniors. 31.1 48.9 20.0

There are enough exercise classes specifically for seniors. 10.8 43.0 46.2

There are enough recreation programs specifically for

seniors (e.g., card games, arts, crafts). 23.9 30.4 45.7

There are enough lifelong learning programs specifically for

seniors (e.g., computer courses). 5.5 42.9 51.6

There are enough programs that bring seniors and children

together (e.g., school reading programs). 13.2 34.1 52.7 Recreational activities, such as exercise and other

Community/Work Force Participation

_Yes

Percent Responding

_{No Don’t Know}

There are enough volunteer opportunities for seniors. 30.8 26.4 42.9

There is enough official recognition for seniors who volunteer

(e.g., an appreciation banquet or volunteer awards). 24.4 27.8 47.8 There are enough paid job opportunities for seniors. 5.4 45.7 48.9 The job opportunities accommodate the needs of seniors

(e.g., part-time work is available). 6.8 34.1 59.1

Information/Advocacy

_Yes

Percent Responding

_{No Don’t Know}

Information about community events is readily available to

seniors. 69.9 9.7 20.4

Information about the services and programs provided by

various organizations is readily available to seniors. 50.5 12.1 37.4

Official, written information, such as forms or brochures is

adapted to the needs of seniors (e.g., large print). 15.2 25.0 59.8 Public telephone answering services are adapted to the

needs of seniors (e.g., instructions are given slowly enough). 4.3 16.3 79.3

There is enough assistance available for completing official

forms (e.g., help with filling out income tax forms). 13.0 16.3 70.7

There are enough seniors’ advocacy services available (e.g.,

Macdonald Services to Seniors). 32.6 9.8 57.6

Respect and Social Inclusion

_Yes

Percent Responding

_{No Don’t Know}

Seniors are generally treated with respect. 87.2 2.1 10.6

Public Meetings specifically include seniors. 34.4 19.4 46.2

Planning processes in my community specifically consider

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.

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: [email protected]

Web site: www.umanitoba.ca/centres/aging Published: February 2010

Health and Community Services

_Yes

Percent Responding

_{No Don’t Know}

The home care services for seniors are sufficient. 23.4 16.0 60.6 The services that help seniors around the home (e.g., snow

removal, lawn care, cleaning, etc.) are sufficient. 22.3 30.9 46.8

The health care services that are provided in my community

meet the needs of seniors. 16.8 28.4 54.7

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). 36.2 28.7 35.1 I am aware of the services available through Home Care. 48.9 37.0 14.1 I am aware of the services available through Macdonald

Services to Seniors. 39.1 48.9 12.0

I am aware of the services available through Public Health. 32.6 51.1 16.3 I am aware of the services available through White Plains

Recreation District. 48.4 35.2 16.5

I am aware of the services available through Emergency

Services. 52.7 33.3 14.0

I am aware of the services available through Regional

Health Authority. 25.8 51.6 22.6

I am aware of the services available through local

community groups. 32.2 46.7 21.1

I am aware of the services available through Churches. 43.6 41.5 14.9 I am aware of the services available through RCMP. 42.6 45.7 11.7 I am aware of the services available through Macdonald Fire