Norwich supports Oxford Age Friendly Strategy

Luke Edwards, Post Contributor

Norwich has endorsed a plan for Oxford that aims to improve the lives of seniors in the township and county.

Councillors supported the Oxford Age Friendly Strategy presented at the May 12 council meeting, and agreed to cover the costs of the hall rental for a planned June 17 Aging Friendly Roadshow coming to Norwich, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Norwich Community Centre. The event will offer locals a glimpse of some of the services and opportunities that exist to help and support the area’s older residents. Lack of awareness was identified as an issue by both council and age friendly committee members.

“It’s so important we get the message out there of what’s available, what’s needed,” said Coun. Lynne DePlancke.

Meagan Lichti, chair of the Oxford Age Friendly Committee and Diane Handsaeme, director of Home Support Services, at the Tillsonburg & District Multi-Service Centre, gave councillors an overview of the strategy. Needs identified in the strategy include: transportation, access to health care, appropriate and affordable housing, limited supports for aging in place, social participation and infrastructure like sidewalk and trail maintenance or accessible washrooms.

“I want to age in place and I want to stay where I’m comfortable, where I know my family is and live out my days peacefully,” said Handsaeme.

The strategy also includes several recommendations based on the needs. Some included expanding volunteer driving services or increasing coordination between transportation providers, reinstating local memory clinics and cognitive assessment services, exploring opportunities for alternative living arrangements, reducing isolation through technology and including digital literacy training, and considering developer incentive programs to promote age and dementia friendly housing and community design.

Raising awareness is also a key across all areas, the strategy says. And that’s where the road show comes in. The event takes place on June 17.