7 Planning For Special Age Groups

Why is planning for special age groups important?

Rural communities have larger proportions of aging populations when compared to larger urban centres.
Transportation access is consistently identified as a major barrier in studies on the impacts of an aging demographics (OPPI, 2009).
Two of the issues which currently face many rural communities are out-migration of youth an aging population.

Township of Prince: Case Study

The township of Prince has created a 2013-2018 Accessibility Plan. The plan includes extending bus services from Sault St. Marie into the township, and Prince Township has an arrangement with the city for a bus to come to the corner of two highways.
A co-op program funded by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Association is a key item that has provided the municipality with funding for their Strategic Plan and Accessibility Plan.

Recommendations for rural municipalities:

Ensure your planning initiatives bring a focus to the needs of an aging population. The requirements and needs in aging populations will be unique in terms of accessibility, services and transportation issues. The County of Brant & City of Brantford have developed a Master Aging Plan for the comprehensive needs of an aging community.
Ensure that your planning documents have consideration for youth, such as the inclusion of skateboard parks, arenas and sports fields, among other activities.
Develop a youth retention strategy. Provide opportunities for education and employment. Take a community economic development approach and seek out opportunities that could exist for youth in your community.
Tips from practitioners:
- Use other communities as inspiration; the Town of Hanover is taking on a youth initiative based on the existing one in Ingersoll.