Improving The Aging Experience In Toronto
Photo: luamduan/istock
Despite what some tech oligarchs are trying to convince us of, we’re all aging. Currently, I’m just a few years older than the median age of a Torontonian: 41.5 years old. Culturally, I’m what’s considered “middle aged” at almost-45. And I know that I want to make sure the rest of my years, along with those of my parents, my family and my friends, remain full of happy, healthy moments.
This is part of why aging is a focus of my mayoral campaign; another is the fact that lived in a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community since 2021. It was totally by chance, and it was only brought to my attention how many people over 65 lived in our building when a very cool program was introduced to foster community spirit and keep our residents active.
The program, called Neighbour2Neighbour, is facilitated and funded through the NORC Innovation Centre at UHN. Since COVID-19 lockdowns have eased, a group of volunteers – myself included – have worked on programming in our residence’s party room and other communal spaces. From Coffee Social on Wednesdays to our speaker series and fabric arts club, the folks in my building are always up to something!
I’ve also put together day trips for the art lovers in our community, and have learned from both these experiences, and just having conversations with my neighbours in general, how challenging it can be to be a senior or elderly person in Toronto.
I have to tell you that I’m particularly interested in accessible design of spaces and products because of personal disability and chronic pain issues (ranging from my family and friends to my own!), as well as my consulting work with a mobility aid product design company that’s based in Vancouver. I also know the statistics in terms of Toronto’s aging population, and we must get serious now about enhancing the experience of our aging population before it’s too late.
That’s why, if I’m elected I commit to:
Increase funding for programming and lifestyle enhancements in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) such as hiring NORC Cluster coordinators
Supporting the facilitation of downsizing so seniors can find the best housing options for their budget and lifestyle
Supporting better transit options in areas with a concentration of citizens 65+, making the TTC free for seniors, and improving Wheel-Trans service
Initiating a Streetscape Refresh to improve the state of Toronto’s sidewalks and curbs, and to add more seating, water fountains and shaded areas
Initiating the development of better subsidized supportive housing specifically for seniors and the elderly; prioritizing their placement in the shelter system
Creating more community garden projects to foster inter-generational connection
Assisting seniors who need/want to work through BIA-driven initiatives and a communication strategy aimed at ending the aging stigma
Improving snow removal and flood protection services
Creating more City-supported programming for seniors to find assistance with technology and access to contemporary cultural spaces
Adding Care Crews to TTC vehicles to ensure cleanliness and compassion on every ride
There are many more ways to enrich the lives of every person who lives in Toronto, whatever their age or accessibility considerations. If you have an idea, please let me know at info@odessaformayor.ca!
