(Version published in the Hamilton Spectator: November 23, 2024)
Dr. Margaret Denton
In 2000, more than 4,000 older adults spoke to the Hamilton Council on Aging about issues related to aging through surveys, focus groups and community events.
They expressed concern about housing options including the lack of affordable housing and being able to age in place. Issues with getting around Hamilton were identified, including maintaining their driver’s licence, the cost of driving, taking the bus and walkability. Older adults want better access to information about health and wellness including promoting and maintaining their own health, various diseases that affect older adults, access to health-care practitioners and community health-care services, as well as the cost of health care.
They also expressed a desire for more information about recreational activities in order to be knowledgeable of what exists. Cost and access to recreational activities were identified as issues.
HCOA highly values the wealth of skills, experiences and diverse backgrounds that older adults bring to our community and their right to a high quality of life, free of ageism. We strive to include the many voices of older adults in all our endeavours.
From October to November, HCoA co-hosted a six-week Positive Aging Series in partnership with 541 Eatery & Exchange, offering free workshops and lunch for 20 participants. The photo captures Cathy Thomas, a peer facilitator, leading a workshop. These are free thanks to the generous funding from the United Way of Halton & Hamilton.
How does HCOA work to promote positive aging in Hamilton? We do this through our many programs and activities.
HCOA works to educate older adults on timely issues. Each month guests are invited to contribute commentaries to the Spectator. Recent topics focused on housing for older adults, health care and health promotion, retirement investment strategies and fraud and scams that target older adults. These are also available at coahamilton.ca/in-the-news.
HCOA provides educational workshops to enhance the well-being and social inclusion of older adults. These are designed to help older adults make informed health-care decisions and navigate the often complex health-care system. Workshops are evidence-based and led by older adult volunteers. HCOA partners with 40 organizations to offer these workshops. The HCOA-United Way Seniors4Change Program includes a six-part series on positive aging and a three-part series on navigating the health-care system. Additional workshops focus on transportation options including taking the bus, riding a bike, driving a car and taking a walk. HCOA offered 132 workshops to more than 2,000 participants in 2023. To learn more about the workshops, visit coahamilton.ca/workshops.
Since 2012, HCOA has been partnering with the City of Hamilton and its Seniors Advisory Committee to promote positive aging, aligning with Hamilton’s vision to be the “best place to raise a child and age successfully.” Together we are implementing the second ”Hamilton’s Plan for an Age Friendly Community, 2021-2026” and copies of the plan and yearly progress reports can be found at hamilton.ca/agefriendly. Beginning in January, HCOA and its partners will begin planning for the third age friendly plan to span 2027-2032.
HCOA and its partners are working to promote dementia friendly communities. This projects supports a number of dementia empowerment groups which are led by citizens with dementia. Building on the success of groups operating in Hamilton and Haldimand, this project has expanded to Halton Region and Six Nations of the Grand River. To learn more about this project and the Dementia Empowerment Network, visit denvoices.ca.
Margaret Denton is a volunteer, past president and founding board member of the Hamilton Council on Aging. For more information or to donate to the Hamilton Council on Aging please visit www.coahamilton.ca or call 905-777-3837 ext. 12238