Vernon endorses age and dementia plan, some actions already underway

The plan outlined five key strategic directions and their deliverables:

City Places and Spaces

Places are well-lit, easy to find, and easy to navigate
There are benches and other places to sit and rest
There are quiet spaces available for refuge
Public washrooms are available, accessible, and clean
There are signs and landmarks to help people find their way around
Signs in parks and public buildings are visible and easy to understand
Parks and trails are easy to find and get to using public transportation
People who use mobility aids can safely access parks, trails and pathways that are designed to be even and free of obstacles

Housing and Transportation

Seniors can age in the community for as long as possible, and can move to smaller size, safe and supportive housing if needed
Housing is near shops and services within walkable neighbourhoods
A variety of affordable and accessible transportation options and support is available and will take people where they want to go
Transit stops have shelters and benches that allow shade and rest

Community and Health Services

A variety of services are available when and where seniors need them
Service providers are available and reachable by phone
Services are affordable and financial support is available if needed
Service providers are trained to work with seniors and people living with dementia
Transportation to and from services is available if needed

Communication and Information

Key information is available on demand at the city’s website
Wording and images are respectful of seniors and people living with dementia
Materials use large print, easy-to-read text and plain language
Materials are provided in both print and digital formats
Different languages are used whenever possible
Help is available for people with limited technology access or abilities

Social Inclusion

People can stay connected with their family and friends as they age
Programs are affordable and designed for different skill and capacity levels
Seniors and people with dementia are invited, encouraged and supported in a variety of community activities, programs, and events
Seniors have meaningful opportunities for employment, and their skills, experience and ideas are appreciated

To fulfil these objectives, the plan proposes a city council representative and staff liaison continue to work with the Vernon Senior’s Action network; invite representatives with lived experience as an older adult, person living with dementia, or professionals who work with these individuals to serve on council committees, relevant working groups and project advisory committees; priorities actions in the plan during the budget process; financially support community organizations that serve the elderly and people with dementia; provide annual reports on progress made to implement key items in the plan; ensure Age and Dementia Friendly strategies and actions are included in updates to major plans or projects; and ensure the Age and Dementia Friendly Community Plan is reviewed and updated alongside the Official Community Plan.

The report to council stated the city and its project partners would launch a social media campaign to share project deliverables over the coming months. A brief evaluation of the success and reach of the campaign would be conducted over the winter of 2024-25.

Upon receiving the report, Mayor Victor Cumming noted guidelines on using gravel to make trails that were accessible and usable for people in wheelchairs or mobility scooters were uncovered as part of the development of the Rail Trail, and those principles would be involved in developing and upgrading future paths.

Following the meeting, Cumming added other practices are already in place to accomodate the elderly and people with dementia.

“Let downs are really good — the little yellow pads that give good grip on the way down. Good size signage, directional signage, we have sound crossings. These are all things that help with people trying to pick out where they are,” the mayor told Vernon Matters.

“The other thing is it’s really important that service staff here, service staff at our rec department, service staff generally, understand that some people, at that moment, may be having cognition challenges. So not to worry about, I’ve forgotten my keys sometimes, but it’s a real issue if you’re coming out of the rec centre and you can’t remember where your keys are. That becomes an issue and our staff needs to be able to roll with that in a comfortable way.”

Cumming added roughly 28 per cent of Vernon’s population involves people aged 65 and over, and said there are straight forward things that can be done to make the community more accessible.

Council endorsed the plan, and the next steps will be focusing in on how to implement the priorities.

“We’re doing capital projects, we’re doing upgrades and improvements, so these are where you dial it in moving forward,” Cumming said.

“We’re doing the new Active Living Centre, and these [priorities] are going to be things absolutely dialed in to the design and construction of the new Active Living Centre and the access, and how you get from the road to the building, and how do you get to the bus stops. These will all be critical things for those who are experiencing some memory loss.”

by Liam Verster

Vernon endorses age and dementia plan, some actions already underway

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