Thursday, March 07, 2013
World Health Organization recognizes Ottawa’s commitment to becoming an Age-Friendly City
Ottawa – The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated the City of Ottawa as a member of its Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities as a result of the collaborative commitment and planning efforts of the Council on Aging of Ottawa’s community-based Age Friendly Ottawa initiative and the City.
“Older adults are respected and vital members of the Ottawa community. This international designation recognizes the City’s ongoing commitment to meeting the social and infrastructure needs of our older residents now and in the future,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “The World Health Organization’s designation is a significant achievement and a testament to the incredible work to date by the City and its community partners.”
As a WHO Age-Friendly City network member, Ottawa joins an international group of cities and communities that have committed to creating physical and social urban environments to promote healthy and active aging and a good quality of life for older residents. Network membership allows the City of Ottawa to access international age experts and be part of collaborative activities between other age-friendly cities and communities.
“The City’s Older Adult Plan is a significant initiative that demonstrates that Ottawa is a community that values the contributions of older adults, offers opportunities for active living, and provides supports that are responsive to the diverse needs of older residents,” said Councillor Mark Taylor, Chair of the Community and Protective Services Committee. “The plan will enhance the quality of life for older residents in our community in ways that address their priorities and values.”
As part of the Older Adult Plan, the City has published the Older Adult Activity Guide, which is dedicated to promoting the many recreational services and programs offered by the City to older residents. The release of the guide is in direct response to the feedback the City received during the consultation process that resulted in the creation of the Older Adult Plan. The hard copy guide will be available at City recreation facilities across Ottawa.
“Cities and communities around the world are adopting an age-friendly approach to improving existing services and planning for the future in order to promote active and healthy aging,” said Louis Plourde, Executive Director, Council on Aging of Ottawa. “We are thrilled to be working with the City to make Ottawa increasingly responsive to the social, economic and environmental needs of our aging citizens.”
City Council approved the Older Adult Plan on October 24, 2012 as a forward-looking and co-ordinated approach to addressing the specific and evolving needs of Ottawa’s older residents, while introducing a long-term vision of a community that values, empowers, and supports older persons and their quality of life. Due to an aging demographic, Ottawa’s older adult population will more than double over the next 20 years.
For more information about Ottawa’s Older Adult Plan and the Older Adult Activity Guide visit ottawa.ca.
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