As climate change intensifies, older adults in British Columbia will face increasing health threats from wildfires and extreme temperatures. Now is the time to gain a better understanding of provincial emergency response resources and prepare for potential hazards. With nearly one-fifth of B.C.’s population 65 years or older in 2022 (increasing to 25% in 2031),…
How neighbourhoods and residents have an impact in developing Age-friendly communities Creating Age-friendly Communities is an effective local way to address the aging of our population, allowing people to remain in their homes and connected to their community as they actively grow older. The framework for Age-friendly Communities comes out of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-friendly Cities work…
As human beings we tend to thrive when we are socially connected, and it does in fact negatively affect health outcomes when people are socially disconnected. As we grow older, social networks tend to decrease over time, potentially leading to social isolation and loneliness. Often these two terms are used interchangeably, but a person can be socially isolated while not…
The development of Age-friendly Communities involves a policy approach to creating conditions that allow older adults to stay connected and age healthily in place, whether in their home or in their community. However, what does this look like when older adults don’t have a home? With the population aging in Canada and around the world,…
Canada’s population is aging and by 2037, the number of Canadians 65 years and older is predicted to be approximately 10.4 million. Over the next 20 years, this group is forecasted to grow by 68%. These statistics highlight the fact that it is becoming increasingly important to develop policies, processes and partnerships that support upstream action and…
The diversity of the B.C. population cultivates connections and celebrates cultures, experiences, and life paths that combine to create connected and resilient communities. However, these differences also bring attention to the diverse needs of our population which are essential to consider in creating healthy communities for all. The proportion of adults over 65 in B.C. is…