News Release

FREDERICTON – (GNB) – The provincial government has launched an awards program recognizing communities that are inclusive and accommodating of seniors.

“The Age-Friendly Community Recognition Program is an initiative of our Home First Strategy,” said Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Lisa Harris. “It encourages establishing policies, services and structures that promote healthy aging and wellness. Developing age-friendly initiatives will engage people at the local level and will promote the active participation of seniors to build communities that are age-friendly. The goal is for seniors to live in secure, healthy environments where they can contribute fully to society, maintain their independence and remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible.”

The recognition guide outlines the steps for becoming an age-friendly community and identifies the criteria for achieving and maintaining age-friendly status. Applications are due by March 31, 2017.

Communities showing leadership in implementing age-friendly projects will be presented the first Age-Friendly Community Recognition Awards during Wellness Week in the fall of 2017. As participants in the promotion of wellness and healthy aging, they will also be recognized as champions of the Wellness Movement. 

In addition to the recognition guide, a resource guide developed by L’Association francophone des aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick was released. Based on the experience of New Brunswick communities working in this area, it aligns with the World Health Organization’s guiding principles on healthy aging and will support communities working to achieve age-friendly status.

“An age-friendly approach can strengthen the way communities grow and build for the future,” Harris said. “It means organizing communities to be healthy, thriving places for seniors and their families to live, work, learn and play in a culture of wellness. Several communities are already working to become more age-friendly because they recognize the need and the potential.”

In an age-friendly community, infrastructure, programs and services are set up to help seniors live safely, enjoy good health and stay involved. Examples of age-friendly measures may include:

• proper maintenance and lighting for roads and sidewalks;

• equipping buildings with automatic door openers and elevators;

• making transportation more accessible and affordable;

• providing seniors with opportunities for employment and volunteering; and

• maintaining accessible lines of communication and information for seniors.