Engaging Older Manitobans in Active Lifestyles: A Plan for Action

Report: 21 pp.; ill., digital fileThe goal of this post-event report was to propose a framework for the development of an action plan to address the issue of social isolation amongst older adults in Manitoba. The strategies presented here were based on discussions held at a one-day roundtable organized by ALCOA. The three strategic priorities include personal, communication, and transportation interventions. Based on these interventions, the report outlines a range of initiatives, actions, and partnerships that could be fostered to promote active living and social connectedness.The Active Living Coalition for Older Adult

An Action Plan for Seniors Transportation in Manitoba: Strategic Priorities

Report: 16pp.; ill., Digital file.There is growing recognition in Manitoba that the transportation options available to older adults are a crucial factor in aging successfully. Throughout the last decade there have been a range of community efforts to improve the mobility of the oldest members of society both in rural and urban areas of the province. More recently, research has been conducted to evaluate potential options for improvements to transportation and to determine the level of governmental and community engagement that is required to implement identified strategies. As follow-up to the report Mobility Options for the Aging Population of Manitoba: An Action Plan for Regional Solutions, commissioned through the Seniors Transportation Working Group by the Manitoba Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat in 2007, a one-day workshop was held in Winnipeg on March 20, 2008 (Appendix A). The gathering brought together a group representative of civic, provincial and federal government departments, senior-serving organizations, service providers and researchers (Appendix B.1/B.2). The goal of the workshop was to review the recommendations of the report and to identify strategies that should be prioritized. This report examines the strategic priorities for seniors mobility/transportation in Manitoba that were established at the workshop.Seniors Transportation Working Group, Manitoba Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretaria

The Mobility Needs and Transportation Issues of the Aging Population in Rural Manitoba

Report: 77 pp.; ill., Digital file.The present investigation represents a preliminary analysis of the mobility issues encountered by the aging population of rural Manitoba. It has provided an opportunity to evaluate an issue that, although recognized as a serious concern by many, has not been formally considered. As very little was known about the situation for seniors in rural Manitoba, this project was a starting point in which to develop a community network and identify the next steps that are required for a comprehensive strategy to improve the availability of transportation for the aging population of rural Manitoba.Seniors Transportation Working Grou

Community Transportation Toolkit: Interpreting and Implementing the Mobility Disadvantaged Transportation Program Guidelines

Report: iii., 29 pp., digital file.Handi-van services are an important resource for older adults in rural Manitoba where fewer and fewer transportation options are available. Services provide an effective and efficient travel option that connects older adults to medical needs as well as to life enhancing activities that may otherwise be neglected. In communities with few transportation resources, handi-van programs also lend support to families and care givers that currently help meet the essential needs of Manitoba’s aging populations. Many communities throughout rural Manitoba receive funding provided by Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs through the Mobility Disadvantaged Transportation Program (MDTP) to support the provision of handi-van services for mobility disadvantaged persons, including seniors. In 2009, the Province will provide annual funding support to 66 municipalities in Manitoba. Consultations with numerous rural communities throughout southern Manitoba have informed the development of the Toolkit.Public Health Agency of Canada, Manitoba Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat

Mobility Options for the Aging Population of Manitoba: An Action Plan for Regional Solutions

Report: iv., pp.122; ill., Digital file.Safe mobility for older adults is a multifaceted and complex issue, and no single solution exists to address the needs of a diverse senior population. Solutions to improve transportation for seniors are impeded by a range of obstacles including: (1) increasing demand due to large increases in the elderly population; (2) inadequate funding and the need for clarification in jurisdictional responsibility; (3) the extreme winter conditions experienced in Manitoba; and (4) heavy reliance on the automobile and limited support for alternative forms of transportation. In the province of Manitoba previous research has emphasized that the lack of appropriate mobility resources for seniors in both urban and rural settings hinders the promotion of independence, quality of life and empowerment that are all crucial factors for successful aging.Manitoba Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat

Manitoba Older Worker Project

Report: 68 pp.; ill., digital fileTo explore the role of older workers in Manitoba and in a broader context, The Manitoba Older Worker Project (MOWP) explores the trends in the literature and the experiences of both employers and employees. A key component of this effort focuses specifically on the salient literature with the intent of providing a sound, Manitoba-specific perspective with supporting data that examines the: • Needs and experiences of older workers in Manitoba; • Perceptions of older workers by employers and their desire and ability to retain them; and • Current policies and options for policy reform which would encourage the benefits of an older workforce. Specifically, this project is concerned with older workers 55 years of age or more who are working, unemployed or retired. The report is geared towards supporting policy and program development aimed at maintaining an older workforce that will meet the specific labour market needs of Manitoba

Investigating the Social Capital and Capacity of Older Adults in Rural Manitoba

Report: 51 pp.; ill., digital file.The report is composed of a review of the literature as well as key findings and recommendations illustrating how seniors are contributing to their communities, the factors that affect their involvement and the barriers that impede their participation. The discussion concludes with a look at future trends predicted for an emerging generation of older adults, the Baby Boomers

Resource Toolkit for Supporting Older Drivers in the Community: Promoting Safety, Independence and Well-Being

Report: 86 pp., digital file.This toolkit is a comprehensive document that will open readers up to the wealth of resources and opportunities available to mature drivers, their families/loved ones, health professionals and community members. With the understanding that senior resource coordinators have a range of knowledge and experience in this area, the information presented here intends to support both newcomers and veterans alike. This hands-on tool will help to demystify the process of providing support to mature drivers in your community.Transportation Options Network for Seniors (TONS

Community Distress Towards a National Measure

96 p.This report developed and tested a proposed Canadian Distress Index (CDI) model capable of exploring distress across and within Canadian cities. The proposed index is discussed in terms of its ability to inform policy making concerning Canada’s urban centres. The report considers a community to be in distress when it displays significantly weaker social, economic, environmental, and physical attributes; and has insufficient internal resources and capacity to respond to those conditions. The report reviews the primary theories that explain and explore distress and are captured broadly within theories of neighbourhood change. It examined national and international precedents for measuring distress, which vary substantively in approach and application with the most comprehensive examples drawing on both qualitative and quantitative information sources. International measurements of urban distress were examined for their capacity to capture a national perspective. From this review it was determined that factor analysis would be a useful analytical tool. Twenty-four variables were drawn from the Census of Canada. Following a series of preliminary analytical steps, factor analysis was then used to develop the final models variables representing four domains comprising the Canadian distress index (CDI). Final weightings for each of the domains were proposed using statistical tests. The CDI model was then tested using 10 cities and 2500 census tracts to produce rankings of the cities and census tracts for both their composite score and also how they ranked among the four domains. It was determined that the composite ranking provides a glimpse into relevant factors, but that a local context would be necessary to fully interpret the results. This might involve the review of more local qualitative data or opinions from local experts to help understand the local contributors to distress. The Index was found effective in comparing cities within tiers in the urban hierarchy, but less capable of comparing cities across tiers

Senior-Friendly Public Transportation in Winnipeg: Towards a Comprehensive Strategy

Report 86 pp.;ill., digital file.Healthy aging requires a safe and convenient method of connecting to life outside of the home. Public transportation can fulfill this essential role in assisting people to conduct both instrumental activities of daily life, such as grocery shopping, and social activities of daily life, such as visiting with family and friends. Senior-friendly public transportation in Winnipeg has never before been considered by relevant stakeholders through a sustained and coordinated effort. The Public Transportation Sub-committee of the Transportation Options Network for Seniors (TONS) is a multi-stakeholder community coalition that focuses on the importance of addressing this issue. During the fall and winter of 2008/09, TONS undertook an examination to identify and report upon the opportunities and challenges in existing public transportation systems and services for seniors in the city of Winnipeg. The research was conducted through the Institute of Urban Studies and done in collaboration with seniors in the community as well as relevant stakeholders so as to develop practical solutions to the problems. This position paper is intended to inform the various parties responsible for the provision of public transportation about the gaps in knowledge about seniors as clients. This document should also serve useful to seniors and other members of the public interested in this issue-area.Public Health Agency of Canad