Dryden – Dryden Community: Age Friendly Community
City/Municipality
Dryden
Region
Northern
Contact Information
Katherine Campbell
AFC Co-chair, Director
Dyden Area Family Health Team
P.O. Box 3003, 58 Goodall Street, Dryden ON, P8N 2Z6
[email protected]
Funding Source
In kind (from organizations
Volunteer
Grant
Private sector funds
Funding Scope
$0 - $1,000
$1,001 - $5,000
$5,001 - $10,000
$10,001 - $25,000
$25,001 +
Status and Timeline
Start date: June 2009
Status: Ongoing
Other Organizations
Dryden – Dryden Community: Age Friendly Community
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Dryden Area Family Health Team
Dryden Regional Health Centre
Patricia Region Senior Services Inc.
Ontario Telehealth Network
Northwest Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)
Grace Haven
Older Adults
Red Cross
City of Dryden
Princess Court Long Term Care Northwest End of Life Care Network
Project Description
In June of 2009, the Dryden community comprised of caregivers, organizations, interested
individuals, representing agencies, consumers, volunteers & programs) came together to discuss
the growing needs of seniors and came to identify the weaknesses and barriers of senior services
in the area. A college Social worker student performed a needs analysis of all the services of the
community, identifying mandates, demographic needs, contacting individuals and gathering
feedback about gaps and duplications.
A steering committee was established to identify short and long term projects to support local
initiatives. The committee was committed to moving forward with a mandate in developing a
terms of reference and setting priorities for the committee as a whole. For the long-term projects,
it was decided that preparation for a community profile would be vital and the application for
grants and programs to support initiatives. There was also a directive to increase supportive
housing for Dryden residents and provide more patient navigation for health and community
programs and supports. In addition, it was outlined that home support would be a key area of
focus.
According to the 2009-2010 Dryden AFC Newsletter, the Dryden Age Friendly Steering
Committee has written a proposal to NW LHIN for funding to support the seniors aging in place
setting of choice and provided leadership for the network and established a strategic plan for
2010-2011. The 2009-2010 Senior’s / Caregiver’s Directory is also being created. Other programs
currently being founded is the Dryden Community Transportation, Volunteering in Dryden and an
Ontario Telehealth Network (OTN) pilot project that will like the Princess Court with the Dryden
Regional Health Centre ER department with the mandate of providing an on site care utilising
OTN while reducing emergency visits by residents. The Dryden AFC initiative is currently ongoing. The program provided education and support to caregivers and seniors living in the Dryden
area. Over 600 seniors and caregivers participated in the sessions.
Dryden – Dryden Community: Age Friendly Community
Age Friendly Dimensions
MAREP Age Friendly Framework**
World Health Organization
Framework*
Principles
Building Blocks
Housing
Respect and Support
Informed Society
Transportation
Access and Inclusion
Enabling and
Supportive
Environment
Social Participation
Community
Engagement and Decision-Making
Respect and Social
Inclusion
Civic Participation
and Employment
Livability
Communication and
Information
Accountability
Personal, Social,
And System
Connectedness
Community Support
and Health Services
Outdoor Spaces and
Buildings
*refer to the World Health Organization Global Age-friendly Cities
Guide for more information
**Please refer to the AFC website: http://afc.uwaterloo.ca
Evaluation and Sustainability Strategies
The program is being evaluated by the partner agencies and community members that have
participated in the service. To date we have completed a needs assessment, a survey of top
priorities, an evaluation of the program and monitoring of statistically program use. The service
has also been evaluated at an Age Friendly Network level to ensure that agencies providing the
services are provided an opportunity to suggest change. The evaluations and surveys have
provided the network and steering committee the foundation to form the 2010-2011 strategic
direction.
The Age Friendly network and steering committee is comprised of volunteers from the
community and agencies within the area. The network/ steering committee will continue to
submit proposals to funding agencies to enhance the services in the community. The dedicated
agencies and individuals involved in the Age Friendly network are continually looking for
innovative and creative ideas to expand upon the services within the community. Funding is
Dryden – Dryden Community: Age Friendly Community
critical to improving services in our area. We have established an open dialogue with the
NWLHIN. The activities that have been highlighted on our strategic plan will be our focus for
this year.
Challenges and Barriers
The Dryden Age Friendly Network and Steering Committee is comprised of dedicated agencies
and individuals focused on improving the quality of life and access to services for seniors and
caregivers in our area. The main barrier that we have faced is funding for specific needs of our
area i.e. increased supportive housing and home support.
Tips and Strategies to Share with Others
1. Encourage partnerships (step outside of the box and imagine what can be done)
2. Form a steering committee of key decision makers who can dedicate their time and the
time and resources of their organization. Develop a strategic plan that is reviewed on an
annual basis
3. Seek out funding sources to support the initiatives
4. Share information broadly
5. Develop key objectives and measurable data indicators
6. Ensure that the seniors and caregivers are involved and have many opportunities for
expressing their thoughts
7. Develop a strong relationship with the city council
8. Develop a network to support the work of the steering committee. The network was the
one that broke into the four focus groups and provided the work that created the education
sessions, directory, volunteer program etc.
9. Seek out new and innovative ways to work together in a collaborative and integrated
manner
10. Keep it simple
New Possibilities
One of our “aha” moments came when we realized that communities are not defined as our
boarders that have created our services arrangements but are much broader than that.
Communication is critical at all levels from local-regional-provincial and inter provincial
agencies.
We learned that when given the opportunity to be creative and innovative we could, as partnering
agencies, deliver an exceptional service that was not focus on organizational boundaries but rather
focused on permitting small tests of change that grew within our community. We demonstrated
the ability to focus on growth while working in a truly collaborative and integrated manner
receptive to change based on consistent feedback from our clients.