Age-Friendly Communities in Manitoba Rural Municipality of Macdonald, Age-Friendly Rural Municipality of

Age-Friendly Communities in
Manitoba
Rural Municipality of Macdonald,
Manitoba
Age-Friendly Rural Municipality of
Macdonald
Community Survey
February 2010
Individuals in the Rural Municipality of Macdonald completed a
brief questionnaire, adapted from the Centre on Aging, University
of Manitoba, to collect information on the age-friendliness of their
community.
A total of 95 questionnaires were completed from seven communities
in the Rural Municipality of Macdonald including Starbuck, Brunkild,
Domain, LaSalle, Oak Bluff, and Sandford. This summary reflects the
responses for the Rural Municipality of Macdonald.
Summary of Survey Responses
The Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Macdonald is currently participating in the AgeFriendly Manitoba Initiative supported by the Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat
of the Province of Manitoba. To collect information on the age-friendliness of the
R.M., the Macdonald Age-Friendly Advisory Committee distributed a questionnaire to
six communities (Brunkild, Domain, La Salle, Oak Bluff, Sanford and Starbuck) within
the R.M. of Macdonald in May of 2009.
A total of 95 questionnaires were completed as follows:
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
Brunkild (7)
Domain (8)
La Salle (33)
Oak Bluff (13)
Sanford (12)
Starbuck (17)
Five individuals did not indicate which community they were from. This report
summarizes the findings from the 95 individuals who completed the Age-Friendly
Communities Survey; 53% identified themselves as a senior.
Most Age-Friendly Areas
Residents in the R.M. of Macdonald identified the following areas as the most agefriendly:
■■ Seniors in my community are generally treated with respect (87.2%).
■■ Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the day in my community
(86.3%).
■■ Snow clearing in my community is done in a timely manner (80.0%).
Least Age-Friendly Areas
Through the survey, residents identified the following areas as least age-friendly:
■■ Sidewalks in most or all areas of my community are well maintained (paved,
even and not a lot of cracks) (17.4%).
■■ Transportation (not provided by family or friends), such as that available
through Macdonald Services to Seniors in my community is affordable for
seniors (17.0%).
■■ The health care services that are provided in my community meet needs of
seniors (16.8%).
■■ Official, written information, such as forms or brochures is adapted to the
needs of seniors in my community (e.g., large print) (15.2%).
■■ There are enough programs in my community that bring seniors and children
together (e.g., school reading programs) (13.2%).
■■ There is enough assistance available in my community for completing official
forms (e.g., help with filling out income tax forms) (13.0%).
■■ There are enough exercise classes specifically for seniors in my community
(10.8%).
■■ The waiting times to get into senior housing are reasonable in my community
(10.1%).
■■ There is enough housing for seniors in my community (9.5%).
■■ The job opportunities in my community accommodate the needs of seniors
(e.g., part-time work is available) (6.8%).
■■ There is enough subsidized housing for low-income seniors in my
community (6.7%).
■■ There are enough lifelong learning programs specifically for seniors in my
community (e.g., computer courses) (5.5%).
■■ There are enough paid job opportunities for seniors in my community (5.4%).
■■ Public telephone answering services in my community are adapted to the
needs of seniors (e.g., instructions are given slowly enough) (4.3%).
■■ There is enough rental housing in my community for people 55 years and
older (3.2%).
■■ There is enough rental housing for younger people in my community (3.2%).
■■ The transportation that is available for individuals with disabilities is sufficient
in my community (2.2%).
Priority Areas
Individuals were also asked to write down the top five issues they felt needed to
be most urgently addressed in their community. Sixty-seven participants (70.5%)
identified at least one priority area.
These written comments were grouped into the priority areas as shown in Figure 1:
■■ Housing (e.g., 55+ housing, affordable housing, condos, rental housing,
affordable housing for young and old, one-floor housing)
■■ Sidewalks/road crossings (e.g., fix and enlarge sidewalks, sidewalks need
repairs, improve sidewalks, more sidewalks, safe road crossings on main
streets)
■■ Recreation/social programs (e.g., affordable sports/recreational activities,
exercise centre, drop-in centre for seniors to use during the day and teens in
the evening, social activities for men, new community facility)
■■ Community services/programs (e.g., mobile library service, access to
shopping, delivery service for groceries, meal program, help with renovations
around the house)
■■ Health services (e.g., doctors, medical services, medical facilities, pharmacy,
home care); safety (e.g., improve lighting on streets, petty theft and
vandalism, more RCMP presence, control speeding on residential streets)
■■ Transportation (e.g., transportation, Handi Transit, regular shuttle to and
from the city for shopping and medical appointments)
■■ Information (e.g, more information on services needed, more information
on what is going on in community, notify by phone of activities, services
provided to seniors should be more advertised and explained)
■■ Building accessibility/public washrooms (e.g., automatic doors at bank/
credit union, easy access to all businesses, public washrooms, wheelchair
accessibility); and,
■■ Walking paths/bike trails (e.g., walking paths, hiking trails, bike trails).
Figure 1: Priority Areas Identified by Participants
Housing
61%
Sidewalks/roadcrossings
36%
Recreation/social
programs
Communityservices/
programs
31%
27%
Health services
Healthservices
24%
Safety
24%
Transportation
21%
Information
19%
Buildingaccessibility/
public
washrooms
publicwashrooms
18%
Walkingpaths/biketrails
18%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
%ofParticipantswho IdentifiedAreaasaPriority
Age-Friendly Survey Responses
Housing
There is enough housing for seniors.
Housing for seniors is affordable.
There is enough subsidized housing for low-income seniors.
The waiting times to get into senior housing are reasonable.
There is enough housing for younger people.
There is enough rental housing for people 55 years and
older.
There is enough rental housing for younger people.
Transportation
The transportation that is available for individuals with
disabilities is sufficient.
The public transportation (not provided by family or friends),
such as that available through Macdonald Services to
Seniors is affordable for seniors.
A Handi Transit is a service that would provide transportation
for people who are unable to travel independently. Services
are typically offered on a cost recovery basis. Would you use
this service?
Percent Responding
Yes No Don’t Know
9.5
22.8
6.7
10.1
29.8
58.9
25.0
36.0
28.1
48.9
31.6
52.2
57.3
61.8
21.3
3.2
68.8
28.0
3.2
68.1
28.7
Percent Responding
Yes No Don’t Know
2.2
49.5
48.4
17.0
12.8
70.2
24.2
46.2
29.7
Safety
Crime and vandalism are a problem.
Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the day.
Seniors feel safe when walking alone during the night.
There is adequate lighting in my community.
Infrastructure
There are sidewalks linking residences and essential
services in most or all areas of my community.
The road signs are adapted to the needs of older drivers
(e.g., large signs).
Sidewalks in most or all areas of my community are well
maintained (paved, even and not a lot of cracks).
Snow clearing is done in a timely manner.
There are enough street crosswalks in business areas.
There are enough street crosswalks in busy residential and/
or recreation areas.
There are enough public washrooms in key areas of my
community (e.g., business and recreation areas).
Most or all businesses are readily accessible to seniors
(e.g., have wheelchair ramps, automatic doors).
Social Participation/Recreation
Walking trails are accessible to seniors.
There are enough exercise classes specifically for seniors.
There are enough recreation programs specifically for
seniors (e.g., card games, arts, crafts).
There are enough lifelong learning programs specifically for
seniors (e.g., computer courses).
There are enough programs that bring seniors and children
together (e.g., school reading programs).
Recreational activities, such as exercise and other
recreational programs, are generally affordable for seniors.
Percent Responding
Yes No Don’t Know
17.9
86.3
62.1
58.9
68.4
0.0
11.6
32.6
13.7
13.7
26.3
8.4
Percent Responding
Yes No Don’t Know
30.5
66.3
3.2
35.2
46.2
18.7
17.4
67.4
15.2
80.0
42.2
14.7
46.7
5.3
11.1
29.5
50.0
20.5
23.9
57.6
18.5
26.6
56.4
17.0
Percent Responding
Yes No Don’t Know
31.1
10.8
48.9
43.0
20.0
46.2
23.9
30.4
45.7
5.5
42.9
51.6
13.2
34.1
52.7
30.0
8.9
61.1
Community/Work Force Participation
There are enough volunteer opportunities for seniors.
There is enough official recognition for seniors who volunteer
(e.g., an appreciation banquet or volunteer awards).
There are enough paid job opportunities for seniors.
The job opportunities accommodate the needs of seniors
(e.g., part-time work is available).
Information/Advocacy
Information about community events is readily available to
seniors.
Information about the services and programs provided by
various organizations is readily available to seniors.
Official, written information, such as forms or brochures is
adapted to the needs of seniors (e.g., large print).
Public telephone answering services are adapted to the
needs of seniors (e.g., instructions are given slowly enough).
There is enough assistance available for completing official
forms (e.g., help with filling out income tax forms).
There are enough seniors’ advocacy services available (e.g.,
Macdonald Services to Seniors).
Respect and Social Inclusion
Seniors are generally treated with respect.
Public Meetings specifically include seniors.
Planning processes in my community specifically consider
the needs of seniors.
Percent Responding
Yes No Don’t Know
30.8
26.4
42.9
24.4
27.8
47.8
5.4
45.7
48.9
6.8
34.1
59.1
Percent Responding
Yes No Don’t Know
69.9
9.7
20.4
50.5
12.1
37.4
15.2
25.0
59.8
4.3
16.3
79.3
13.0
16.3
70.7
32.6
9.8
57.6
Percent Responding
Yes No Don’t Know
87.2
34.4
2.1
19.4
10.6
46.2
22.6
22.6
54.8
Health and Community Services
The home care services for seniors are sufficient.
The services that help seniors around the home (e.g., snow
removal, lawn care, cleaning, etc.) are sufficient.
The health care services that are provided in my community
meet the needs of seniors.
Access to health care that are not provided in my community
is generally convenient (e.g., services not too far away,
appointment times are convenient).
I am aware of the services available through Home Care.
I am aware of the services available through Macdonald
Services to Seniors.
I am aware of the services available through Public Health.
I am aware of the services available through White Plains
Recreation District.
I am aware of the services available through Emergency
Services.
I am aware of the services available through Regional
Health Authority.
I am aware of the services available through local
community groups.
I am aware of the services available through Churches.
I am aware of the services available through RCMP.
I am aware of the services available through Macdonald Fire
Department.
Percent Responding
Yes No Don’t Know
23.4
16.0
60.6
22.3
30.9
46.8
16.8
28.4
54.7
36.2
28.7
35.1
48.9
37.0
14.1
39.1
48.9
12.0
32.6
51.1
16.3
48.4
35.2
16.5
52.7
33.3
14.0
25.8
51.6
22.6
32.2
46.7
21.1
43.6
42.6
41.5
45.7
14.9
11.7
45.7
40.4
13.8
The views expressed herein reflect the opinions of the participants and do not necessarily represent the
views of the Age-Friendly Communities Community-University Research Alliance (CURA) or the Centre on
Aging.
This summary was prepared by the Age-Friendly Communities CURA. The Age-Friendly Communities CURA
is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Team leader: Dr. Verena Menec, Canada Research Chair in Healthy Aging, Director, Centre on Aging,
University of Manitoba
For more information contact:
Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba
338 Isbister Building
Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2
Phone: (204) 474-8754
Fax: (204) 474-7576
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.umanitoba.ca/centres/aging
Published: February 2010