Age-Friendly Municipality (AFM) – Seniors

About the AFM/ MADA initiative

Côte Saint-Luc has a significant senior population, one of the largest proportions in Canada. Of the approximately 35,000 people who live in the community, just under one third are seniors (age 65+). Our municipality has long been committed to improving the health and well-being of older adults through a variety of our programs and services including those at the Library and at Recreation. More recently this includes our VillAGE Initiative for the Infrastructure Canada Smart Cities Challenge 2018-1019, and its continuation through the Côte Saint-Luc Living Lab research project 2021-present.

The City of Côte Saint-Luc wants to further support seniors through the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Initiative, a world-wide program launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2007 to make cities more attuned to the needs of their older adults. With this initiative, municipalities formalize a commitment to seniors by creating an action plan which holds them accountable. In Quebec, this age-friendly designation is managed by MADA (Municipalités (et Villes) Amies des Aînés), a branch of Santé et services sociaux Quebec.

The World Health Organization defines Age-Friendly Cities and Communities as follows: “In an age-friendly community, policies, services, and structures related to the physical and social environment are designed to support and enable older people to “age actively”—that is, to live in security, enjoy good health and continue to participate fully in society”.

Age-friendly communities promote healthy and active aging. People in age-friendly communities are supported in maintaining their independence and have access to the community supports and services they need regardless of ability or capacity. The city shares a responsibility in providing these community supports and services.

Over 1000 municipalities are already or are in the process of becoming an AFM (Age-Friendly Municipality) in Quebec. Approximately 93.5 % of Québec’s citizens live in municipalities that are already or are in the process of becoming an Age-Friendly Municipality.

On August 14, 2023, the City of Côte Saint-Luc City Council passed a resolution indicating its commitment to join this initiative and receive the AFM designation, authorizing the creation of a Steering Committee. Its purpose was to create a Seniors Policy and Action Plan which would lay out the road map for new initiatives and programs that would improve the lives of seniors.

Steps to becoming an Age Friendly Municipality (in brief)

1. Adopt a resolution to affirm the municipality’s participation in the AFM initiative.

2. Adopt a resolution to mandate the creation of a Steering Committee to create a Seniors Policy and Action Plan. The Committee is to be made up of seniors, organizations, staff, elected officials, and representatives from health and social services.

3. Adopt a resolution to mandate an administrative official to be responsible for the AFM initiative (project manager) and a person to be responsible for seniors issues (Council member).

4. Apply for funding to create the municipal policy and action plan.

5. Consult with seniors to determine wants and needs.

6. Create Senior Municipal Policy and Action Plan including a community profile and current programs and services.

7. Apply for AFM designation.

Key Areas for Action Plan

The Action Plan must address the following areas:

1. Housing – improving living conditions and housing

• Safety
• Combat social isolation
• Development of local services

2. Transportation – improve mobility options

3. Respect and social inclusion – opportunities for intergenerational activity

4. Social participation – opportunities for a vibrant and active social, cultural and recreational life (support of seniors associations, Recreation and Library)

5. Social and Civic engagement – create opportunities for involvement, i.e., volunteer work and civic engagement

6. Outdoor spaces and buildings – create well maintained public spaces, rest areas, streets, sidewalks, etc. that are accessible for all

7. Community support and health services – coordination of home services between partners and established and supports community organizations

8. Communication and information