These categories are advocated for by the World Health Organization and it's believed they'll make Nanaimo more accomodating to seniors. (Nanaimo Seniors Task Force)

By Spencer Sterritt

Aging care

Nanaimo takes next step to make life easier for local seniors

Jul 26, 2019 | 8:00 AM

NANAIMO — It’s hoped the endorsement of a new plan will lead to an easier and more successful life for Nanaimo seniors.

The Nanaimo Age-Friendly City Plan was officially endorsed by Nanaimo councillors during the council meeting on Monday, July 22.

The plan was created by the Nanaimo Seniors Task Force in recent years, building on survey data and feedback from information sessions.

Dale Harvey with the task force told councillors working to make Nanaimo more accessible for seniors will actually have a major impact on everyone.

“Supporting measures improving accessibility, social connection and healthy lifestyles…would improve the well-being of a substantial cross section of Nanaimo’s population, including parents, children and those with mobility challenges.”

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The plan lays out nine key areas where life could be made better. Priorities include improving crosswalk safety, printing out larger bus schedules for those suffering from visual impairments, ride-share programs designed specifically for seniors and better connecting clients with helpful services.

Eight of the areas are included in the guidelines from the World Health Organization, which has encouraged municipalities to address barriers to healthy senior living since 2008.

The Nanaimo Seniors Task Force also included food security for seniors as a ninth area to be addressed.

“(We) believe Nanaimo will be a better community for all if we achieve age-friendly status,” Harvey said.

The 2016 status showed roughly 23,000 people lived in Nanaimo over the age of 65. It’s a number which is anticipated to steeply climb in coming years.

Nanaimo councillors unanimously endorsed the age-friendly plan. It will now be submitted to the provincial government as part of the City’s application to be recognized as an age-friendly city.

The Nanaimo Seniors Task Force was also approved to be the lead agency in implementing the plan, to ensure real change happens at a policy level and Nanaimo lives up to the future designation of an age-friendly city.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit