The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor has formed an Age Friendly Steering Committee in partnership with Central Health, the Exploits Valley YMCA, the Exploits 50 Plus Club, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and the Friendly 50 Plus Club.

The Goals of the Steering Committee are to:

1)      Assess the age friendliness of Grand Falls-Windsor
2)      Promote healthy aging in the community.

“Grand Falls-Windsor,  like the rest of Canada,  has a growing senior population and we must find new ways to meet the needs of this part of the community and promote healthy aging"  said Jean Buffet-Mercer, Chair of the Grand Falls-Windsor Age Friendly Steering Committee and Councillor for the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor.

Age Friendly Grand Falls-Windsor Steering Committee members

•          Jean Buffett-Mercer, Chairperson and Councillor, Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
•          Cecilia Hickey, Public Relations Officer, and President of the Exploits 50 Plus Club
•          Monnie Moores, Age Friendly Co-ordinator, Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
•          Steve Williams, Chief Executive Officer, YMCA
•          Colleen Janes, Social Worker, Central Health
•          Lorraine Gear, Public Health Nurse, Central Health
•          Margaret Glavine, President, E & H Tenants Association
•          Ron Hawco, President, Friendly 50 Plus Club
•          Lily LeDrew, Primary Health Care Consultant, Central Health
•          Nicole Peyton, Psychiatry Services, Killick Health Services
•          Linda King, Concern Citizen of Grand Falls-Windsor
•          Dr. Lynette Powell, Family Physician, Killick Health Services
•          Donna Ducey, RCMP Community policing Liaison, RCMP Grand Falls- Windsor District
•          Stanley Singh, Business Development , Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
•          Dr. Wendy Young, Age Friendly Research Chair, Faculty of Medicine Memorial University

 The Age Friendly Steering Committee has completed 200 Age Friendly surveys. The goal is to have 300 surveys which will then be tabulated, identifying the strengths and features of Grand Falls- Windsor and also identifying any barriers and gaps that are presented from the surveys.      

Focus Groups already targeted and completed:

•         Newfoundland and Labrador Housing (E & H Tenants Association)
•         Carmelite House
•         Presbyterian Church
•         Wise Career and Employment Services
•         Carmelite House Retirees Breakfast Club
•         Park Street 55 Plus Club
•         Exploits 50 Plus Club
•         Tops Group # NL 510, Windsor
•         Individual Visits
•         Beta Group Newfoundland Delta Master Chapter

· Focus Groups booked for future meetings:

•         College of the North Atlantic, Community Studies, March 21st
•         Grand Falls-Windsor Lions Club, March 22nd
•         Salvation Army, Circular Road, March 28th
•         Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Women’s Group, March 31
•         Tops #NL 5271, Grand Falls- Windsor, April 6th
•         Seniors Day at the Exploits 50 Plus Club, May 2nd

Plans at this time are to book as many groups or persons in Grand Falls- Windsor that would be interested in having an introduction to Age Friendly and completing the survey.

For further information please contact Monnie Moores, Age Friendly Coordinator, af@grandfallswindsor.com or 489-0469

Background Information:

As identified in the Provincial Healthy Aging Framework and Implementation Plan, the efforts of the Age Friendly Steering Committee will be based on the five principles of:
    •     Dignity,     
    •     Self- Fulfillment                               
    •    Social Inclusion,
    •     Independence,
    •     Safety and Security and Fairness.

These principles will be foundational as the committee moves forward with a broad-based approach to meeting the needs of aging citizens in Grand falls-Windsor.  For further information please click here, http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2007/health/0711n04HA%20Policy%20Framework.pdf

The Committee will use the Age Friendly Rural and Remote Communities: A Guide which focuses on eight themes to determine the Age Friendliness of Grand Falls- Windsor.

The Themes are:

•         Outdoor Spaces,
•         Buildings,
•         Transportation, Housing,
•         Respect and Social Inclusion,
•         Social Participation,
•         Communication and Information,
•         Civic Participation and Employment Opportunities,
•         Community Support and Health Services.

  For further information please click here, www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/afrrc_en.pdf

Over the next 4 months the Grand Falls- Windsor Age Friendly Steering Committee will be hosting public meetings and focus groups to receive input from interested citizens and community based groups.

Senior's Recognition: Plans are being finalized for recognizing a senior on a monthly basis.

Senior's Recognition Award: Nomination form (five parts)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

The Age Friendly Steering Committee meets once a month in the boardroom of the Town Hall 11:30- 1Pm.