Age Friendly Plan Review

The City of Colwood is conducting a review of its Age-Friendly Community Plan which was adopted and last updated in 2016.

What is an Age-Friendly Community?

Age-friendly communities support people as they age, with policies, programs, services, and a built environment designed to promote a higher quality of life, comfort, security, and sense of belonging in the community. Features of an age-friendly community could include:

• Well maintained sidewalks and walking paths;
• Well-lit pedestrian areas;
• Intergenerational programming;
• Welcoming public spaces with accessible features and amenities, like seating and washrooms;
• Accessible community events;
• Volunteer opportunities for seniors;
• A variety of safe and affordable housing options;
• Available health support services; and
• A public transportation system that is accessible and easy to navigate.

While age-friendly communities are focused on seniors, the benefits impact all residents. For example, improving a sidewalk can make it easier to navigate for anyone with mobility challenges, families with young children, or those using strollers or carts. Improved support for seniors can help alleviate stress for families and caregivers. Intergenerational programs and community events can create a sense of community connection and identity and provide engaging and learning opportunities for everyone.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has created an Age-Friendly Cities Framework that identifies eight domains or key areas of focus for improving well-being of seniors. These domains are all interconnected, and one action can support multiple areas.

• Outdoor Spaces & Buildings
• Transportation
• Housing
• Social Participation
• Respect and Social Inclusion
• Civic Participation & Employment
• Communication & Information
• Community Support & Health Services

Colwood Age-Friendly Community Plan (2016)

In 2016, Colwood adopted an Age-Friendly Community Plan created based on the local context, public survey responses, and community and interest-holder workshops. This plan was intended to be a road map for the future, identifying existing strengths and areas of improvement, addressing each of the eight WHO domains. A list of fourteen recommended actions was created to reflect the common objectives seen throughout the development of the plan.

• Communication of information for older adults;
• Coordination of resources, including volunteerism and support services;
• Meaningful social and recreational participation for seniors of all ages;
• Responsive planning, engineering, and development design;
• Identification of small changes that may make a big difference;
• Strengthening partnerships and relationships; and
• Fostering social connectedness and enhancing social spaces.

Since the original plan was adopted in 2016, Colwood has seen a lot of growth and changes to its housing, transportation, parks, and community infrastructure. The City is now reviewing their Age-Friendly Community Plan to evaluate what steps have been taken to improve Colwood as an age-friendly community, whether the objectives and actions previously identified reflect the current needs and wants of the community, and what can still be improved.

Get Involved – Opportunities for Participation

Whether you are an older adult, have older family members, are a caregiver, or a community member hoping to continue living in Colwood, we want to hear from you. We look forward to and value the participation of Colwood residents and community members to understand the key issues and opportunities related to the City’s Age-Friendly Community Plan.

This project page will be updated with announcements for future engagement opportunities, including our online survey.

Please complete the survey below to help shape Colwood into an Age-Friendly Community.