Summary of what people told us... |
Healthy Saanich Committee
Wednesday May 25, 2016
A volunteer committee with one Saanich Councillor.
6 Participants
When you interact with older adults in the community, what aspects of the Saanich Parks and Recreation do they say are working well?
What are some of the challenges and barriers that older adults are facing in regards to accessing community recreation opportunities?
And how could we best meet these challenges?
Looking ahead 5-10 years from now, what do you believe can be the ideal state of Saanich Parks & Recreation.
What opportunities related to supporting older adults socialization do you think Saanich Parks and Recreation should consider?
Do you look for age specific programs when looking for programs or information?
Where do you look for information on Parks & Recreation
Wednesday May 25, 2016
A volunteer committee with one Saanich Councillor.
6 Participants
When you interact with older adults in the community, what aspects of the Saanich Parks and Recreation do they say are working well?
- Gordon Head Rec Centre; size, schedules, more for seniors, SCP for younger, swim classes; when kids were young took them to GH for swim classes.
- Variety of programs
- Variety of locations of parks
- As we age we use local parks, places that we can walk too easily instead of driving to the rec centres.
- Trail systems – for biking, walking, dog-walking. They are people-friendly
- Natural beauty in the parks. Natural areas. Cultivated areas.
- Different levels of challenge in different parks or areas of parks.
- Residents like Saanich’s facilities – they are well-maintained, not run-down, still look new although 20+ years of age.
- Many younger older adults are going to private gyms rather than rec centres (too casual, too informal) and like gyms tailored to their age, gender, etc. That’s what they are used to when working. Can we plan for this transition from working to retired?
- In fitness, I like to be with people my own age and ability. Variety of choices available however we need more classes after work hours.
What are some of the challenges and barriers that older adults are facing in regards to accessing community recreation opportunities?
- Transportation, more seniors are not driving, would have to walk part way if mobility is an issue, or would have to take handy-dart, not truly accessible by transit.
- Access and mobility – transit in Cordova Bay is not great on weekends/evening
- Transportation is a barrier/work with senior homes to improve.
- No rec centre in Shelbourne valley.
- Programs are very popular and hard to get into.
- Saanich News is a great resource for communication to seniors
- Cost – if one doesn’t have a good pension or is well-of, it is too expensive to participate. Need a dignified approach. Likes Library Pass. How to ensure municipal services are affordable
- More seniors home need medical available
And how could we best meet these challenges?
- Propose tax credits for recreation passes (Federation of Canadian Municipalities)
- Need a low income transit pass subsidized by CRD and BC
- Need a Monterey centre in the Gordon Head or Cedar Hill area – maybe something at Cedar Hill golf Course
- Add the cost of a bus pass to the recreation fee - what would be the impact.
- Work with seniors home, explain programs to home residents then they could take them to the centres.
- After programs in the seniors home
- Work with BC Transit re: areas that are not as well served.
- Link with seniors groups and church groups to get people to attend or offer programs in their facilities.
- Get seniors and youth (children) working together; e.g. Grade 3 classes attending school in a senior’s home – Cordova Bay 55+ is a great example of working together.
- Work with community associations to communicate opportunities for seniors.
- E.g. Tell them about Music in the Park
- Household survey for those not wanting to use computer
Looking ahead 5-10 years from now, what do you believe can be the ideal state of Saanich Parks & Recreation.
- Free access to recreation centres.
- Look at new fee structure to reduce costs; book ends; greying years; reduce costs
- Tax incentive for seniors; tax credit; fitness like for children.
- Food security would enhance the older adult aging in place (staying at home longer)
- Walkable communities.
- Not getting health care – get recreational care.
- Strong, all age inclusive facilities.
- Access to rec facilities in all neighborhoods (e.g. CB 55+) (satellite)
- Many of my friends drive out to seniors centre at Juan de Fuca Rec Centre. They feel a sense of belonging, the programming is for them/their age group, more opportunities, similar ages, a social club.
- Oak Bay Rec has hit that market / approach well at Monterey Centre
- Saanich Rec care access private facilities.
- Enhancement – fully inclusive; changing people’s ways of thinking to be inclusive of others.
- Safe trails, continued maintenance of trails, natural settings.
- Natural environment provides people with lots of choices.
- Maintaining the natural environment opportunities.
- Natural environment is very important.
- Continued maintenance of parks
- Proximity to nature makes it ideal state right now.
- Don’t let density challenges interfere with the amount of parks in neighborhoods.
- Intercultural opportunities for cultural elders.
- Accessibility for all
- Sustainable programs/services
- No one solution for many people; need many solutions/options
- Continue with variety of programs
- More and more seniors will be working – ensure affordable and available parks and recreation
- More school based intergenerational programs (e.g. Cordova Bay 55+ interactions with Cordova Bay Elementary School)
- More satellite programs in neighbourhoods
- UVIC’s Centre of Aging has changed its name to Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health
What opportunities related to supporting older adults socialization do you think Saanich Parks and Recreation should consider?
- Accessible physical/ramps
- Improve safety
- Staff to go to homes – safety tips
- Use Juan De Fuca example – so many things to do
- Social centres located on same grounds as rec centre
- Intergenerational experiences are my favourite memories
- Designated seniors space X 2
- Get seniors themselves to suggest activities, like CB 55
- Sense of ownership increases participation
- Volunteering (doing taxes for seniors) opportunities/Intergenerational I-Pal
- Community gardens – socializing
- Facilitate garden sharing – putting people together.
- Gardening in schools over summer.
- Socialization must happen all times of day not just day time.|
- Engage with seniors homes – all levels
- Program ideas like Mah Jong, Board Games
- Still offer programs to get them out, even at seniors centres; change of scenery
- Partner with Silver Threads/Senior Homes/Hillside
- Concerts in park – people can bring food
- Evening of music at centres
- Coffee klatches in Saanich facilities
- Satellite spaces e.g. In schools
- Walking groups
- Survey people to find out what is the hook to get them out/look for courses
- Senior buddy system
- Street dances/neighbour block parties
- Look at core needs – belonging, want to be useful.
- Banks for handouts
- Info to programs
Do you look for age specific programs when looking for programs or information?
- In some cases I look for age specific
- Want more inclusive opportunities for our age group (e.g. don’t want to do yoga with 20-30 year olds).
- Need both inclusive and exclusive opportunities.
- There are a lot of opportunities for all ages, need to make more exclusive opportunities.
- Earlier in the day or later at night for working people.
- We don’t want to be reminded that we are getting older!
Where do you look for information on Parks & Recreation
- Not everyone wants to go on a computer
- Info given at programs
- Bank handouts
- Promote the ALG – place boxes with publications at seniors homes (e.g. Cedar, assisted living). Mail outs. Phone.
- Older Adults may not be on email/internet – need hard copy of Active Living Guide, or a smaller seniors guide. Older adults want PAPER copies