Researchers need more info on Sudbury seniors to create age-friendly plan

Older adults in Sudbury have told researchers their biggest concerns, but now those who conducted the originalsurveys havesome follow up questions.

More than 1,200 seniorresidents within the city of Greater Sudbury responded to the questionnairessent out over the past few months by Sudbury's age-friendly committee and Laurentian University.

The survey focused on the eight topics depicting an age-friendly city, according to theWorld Health Organization.Those includeissues like outdoor spaces, transportation and housing.

Age-friendly communities include...

According to preliminary results, mostrespondents are concerned about a lack of sidewalks and lighting in outdoor areas; while 47 per cent felt public walkways and spaces were not easy to maneuver for those with mobility challenges.

BarbaraNott,chair of the age-friendly committee,says she's concerned aboutpoor public transportation in places likeCapreolandOnaping, as well as a lack of social interaction for some older adults.

"We have a lot of senior citizens who are still living in their homes," she says. "If you're isolated in your homes, then your health comes down because you don't have the interaction with people and everyone else."

'If you're isolated...your health comes down'

Other findings include:

• 81 per cent say they'd like mid-block crosswalks to be installed.
• 47 per cent say they felt comfortable using walking, cycling and public transportation.
• 91 per cent want to age in place and live in their home in their community
• 62 per centlive in their own home
• 80 per cent say they found organized activities and events that met their interests and cultural needs
• 88 per cent felt the community is inclusive of same sex/different sexual orientations

Researchers now want to more specific details for items connected to public transportation, driving, socializing and how one`s ethnic background might affects their community involvement.

Extra focus groups will be held to get more detailed answers on these specific topics from the survey.

Researchers will have their next meetings:

• Thursday, Feb. 16 between 1and 3p.m.atMeadowbrookRetirement Village in Lively
• Thursday, Feb. 16between 6and 8p.m.at Tom Davies Square
• Thursday, March 2between 1 and 3 p.m.at Villa St. Gabriel's inChelmsford
• Monday, March 6 between 1 and3 p.m. at Howard Armstrong Recreation Centre in Hanmer

With so much data retrievedfrom thesurveys, Nott says the finalreport won't be ready to present to city council untilsometime in June.