Uxbridge seeking input on age-friendly initiatives

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

UXBRIDGE: Promoting and enhancing the work done by the township’s Age-friendly committee was at the forefront of a recent council meeting, with the suggestion funds be allocated to improving initiatives for a significant portion of the community.

Age-friendly Committee Chair, Kathy Clulow appeared before council, at their meeting on the morning of Monday, February 26th, to outline the work done by the committee to date, as well as the plans to promote Uxbridge as an age-inclusive location.

During the question portion of the meeting, Regional Councillor Bruce Garrod put forth the idea the township could look at direct funding for age-friendly initiatives.

“If we could commit to x dollars per year, [targeted] specifically to age-friendly initiatives, what would you do?” asked Councillor Garrod. The committee replied, if there were a dedicated commitment which could be counted on each year, it could allow the committee to accomplish the significant goal of establishing a dedicated non-profit entity, to undertake matters such as applying for grants which are currently done by township staff. Under this scenario, that work, as well as any follow-up work to be done, to receive those grants, would be done by a part-time co-ordinator whose sole focus would be enhancing age-friendly initiatives for the betterment of the entire community.

Councillor Garrod also noted, the number of seniors living in Uxbridge is more than 50 percent higher than the average in Durham Region. As a whole, The Region’s population of citizens who are 65 years and over is approximately 14 percent. In Uxbridge, that number is 21.7 percent.

The Age-Friendly Committee is undertaking a community survey, until Sunday, March 31st, to gather opinions and experiences related to aging in Uxbridge. The survey will allow participants of all ages to provide feedback on several areas of life in Uxbridge, including public building access and washrooms, outdoor spaces, health services transit, housing, and other community services, as they relate to the aging population.

Ward 5 Councillor, Todd Snooks praised the work of local seniors in his comments, as well as offering suggestions for improved access to the survey in rural Uxbridge.

“When I’m out in our community at, different events,” commented, Ward 5 Councillor, Todd Snooks. “it is seniors who I see as our top volunteers in this township. Thank you to them.” Councillor Snooks also suggested, hard copies of the age-friendly survey be placed at locations around the township, including community halls in Sandford, Goodwood and Zephyr, to reach as many residents as possible, by providing access where seniors are already meeting.

The survey is available on the township website, at www.uxbridge.ca or www.surveymonkey.com/r/AgeFriendlyUxbridge, until Sunday, March 31st. Paper copies are available throughout Uxbridge Township at Town Hall, the Seniors Centre, both branches of the Uxbridge Public Library, Uxpool, and community centres. You can also request a paper copy and receive further information by contacting Chris Gilmour, at 905-852-3081 or chilmour@uxbridge.ca.