Group wants WHO to recognize city as age friendly

A local stakeholder committee wants Thunder Bay to be internationally recognized as an age-friendly city.

The Age-friendly Stakeholder Committee has been meeting for more than a year working on a plan to get the city designated as age-friendly by the World Health Organization. WHO developed the age-friendly concept three years ago because of a worldwide aging population.

Lakehead University social work professor Mary-Lou Kelley, who has been researching Thunder Bay’s age-friendliness, said the concept isn’t about healthcare. Age-friendly means a city has proper housing, transportation, safety and economic security for seniors.

Kelley said research on Thunder Bay’s aging population shows that seniors in the city feel valued and respected. They also spoke highly of cultural activities and volunteer opportunities for seniors. There were some concerns with housing and security though Kelley said.

"Thunder Bay is an age friendly city in many ways but not in all ways," Kelley said. "Some of the things that were problematic were having a number of housing options that were affordable, transportation came up again and again…safety came up in some neighbourhoods."

Being recognized as an age-friendly place takes three years of planning, research and reports Kelley said. The next step for the group is to seek city council’s approval Monday night.

Kelley said it’s important for the city to start making decisions with an aging population in mind.

"They can be looking at the decisions they’re making and adding quite purposefully that perspective," said Kelley. "We just want them to make the commitment to think that way as they move forward in their municipal planning."

Kelley said when a city has its seniors in mind, everybody benefits.

"We quite purposely call it age friendly because if it’s friendly for older people it will be inclusive for people of all ages," Kelley said.

The group hopes to submit their application to WHO by Christmas.