A Message from Carolyn Triemstra, HCoA President
I am pleased to share the Hamilton Council on Aging’s 19th Annual Report to the Community.
At the heart of our work are the voices, wisdom and lived experience of older adults. Together, we have continued to bring those voices forward through Age-Friendly Hamilton, peer-led education through Seniors4Change, and our work with people living with dementia through the Dementia Empowerment Network Building Belonging project.
This work is made possible by so many people. I am deeply grateful to our volunteers, staff and Board, and to our funders, sponsors and community partners who contribute their time, knowledge, experience and support.
As we prepare to mark 20 years of HCoA, we are proud of what we have built together and look forward to continuing to listen, learn from and benefit from the immense contributions of older adults to make positive aging visible in Hamilton.
Our Mission & Vision
We advance positive aging — promoting the health, well-being and social participation of ALL older adults — by influencing attitudes, policies and programs to include their voices.
Our Vision is that positive aging is visible in Hamilton.
3 Strategic Priorities
Bringing forward the voices and perspectives of older adults on issues of concern.
Creating an age-friendly and dementia-friendly community and reducing ageism.
Delivering education and programming to increase the participation of older adults in the community.
Our Programs
Learning together. Sharing knowledge. Building confidence.
Seniors4Change is HCoA’s peer-led education program, connecting older adults with senior volunteers who share practical information, professional knowledge and lived experience. United Way Halton & Hamilton is HCoA’s longest-standing funder, supporting our work in various forms since we began in 2007. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and, most importantly, for the senior volunteers who make Seniors4Change possible.
Highlights
This year, Seniors4Change delivered 40 workshops and series sessions, reaching 1,431 older adults across Hamilton. Offerings included long-standing workshopsPositive Aging, Navigating the Healthcare System and Advanced Care Planning, alongside new developments shaped by what older adults told us they needed.
- Housing Options: After hearing from older adults who wanted more information about housing choices and planning ahead, senior volunteer leaders worked with the Seniors Advisory Committee Housing Working Group and community professionals to develop and pilot a five-part Housing Workshop Series. (Note: we are currently working to determine how we can offer this successful workshop series on an ongoing basis.)
- Living with Intention, Leaving with Peace is a new three-part workshop series co-developed by Journey Home and Cheryl, one of our Seniors4Change volunteer leaders. Developed during this year and launching this fall in Dundas, the series creates space for older adults to reflect on what matters most, their experiences, values, connections and the legacy they want to leave.
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Learning: We welcomed Cole Gately of Intersecting Consulting to lead EDI training for professionals and our Board, building awareness and understanding of EDI and the experiences of diverse older adults.
Looking Ahead
Seniors4Change continues to listen and adapt. Participant and volunteer feedback directly shapes our topics, resources and delivery. Want to host a workshop or attend one? Contact Shelagh today at shelagh@hamiltoncoa.com. Visit www.coahamilton.ca regularly for new offerings.
Our Programs
Friendship. Belonging. Connection.
The Dementia Empowerment Network (DEN) is a growing network of peer-support and friendship groups for people living with dementia and their care partners. Local groups create welcoming spaces to build friendships, share experiences and stay socially connected, while the DEN provides the tools, resources and connections groups need to grow and thrive.
Highlights
This year marked an important period of growth for the DEN. Alongside continuing to support groups across the network, we secured multi-year funding through the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging’s Building Belonging initiative.
Through this new partnership, we are working with Six Nations of the Grand River’s Senior Support Hub and De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre to co-create new dementia empowerment groups led by and for Indigenous community members.
Looking Ahead
We are focused on increasing social engagement and creating more opportunities for people living with dementia, care partners and families across Hamilton and Six Nations to connect, build friendships and belong.
For many people, being part of a DEN group means having somewhere to go where dementia does not need to be explained. It is a place to be known, share experiences and simply connect with others.
Learn More
Connect with the DEN at DEN@hamiltoncoa.com.
Our Programs
Listening to our community. Building on what we’ve learned. Shaping what comes next.
Age-Friendly Hamilton began with HCoA in 2007 and has grown through the shared leadership of HCoA, the Hamilton Seniors Advisory Committee and the City of Hamilton, working together with older adults, community partners and residents to make Hamilton a better place to age positively.
Highlights
- 18 years of community leadership: Older adults have been at the heart of Age-Friendly Hamilton from the beginning. Hamilton was the first city in Ontario to join the WHO Age-Friendly Communities initiative.
- Laying the groundwork for what’s next: With the 2021–2026 Age-Friendly Plan nearing completion, we focused this year on preparing for the next Age-Friendly and Dementia-Inclusive Community Plan for 2027–2031.
- Preparing to hear from our community: We developed a community engagement plan to ensure a wide range of voices can help shape the next plan, including older adults, people living with dementia and care partners, businesses, community organizations and diverse communities.
- Building a more inclusive community: Our communications and EDI work are helping strengthen awareness, connection and inclusion across Age-Friendly Hamilton.
- Honouring our roots: We were proud to see Dr. Margaret Denton, a founder and longtime leader of Age-Friendly Hamilton, honoured as Hamilton’s 2025 Senior of the Year for her decades of leadership and contribution to our community.
Looking Ahead
Hamilton’s next Age-Friendly Hamilton Community Plan (2027–2031) is being shaped by our community and is expected to launch in early 2027. A new Age-Friendly Hamilton website, www.agefriendlyhamilton.com, will also make it easier for everyone to connect, get involved and find resources.
