Facilitating Greater Investments in Municipal and Not-for-Profit Seniors Services and Supports

Whereas municipalities play a central role in anticipating the challenges and opportunities associated with an aging population including transportation, housing, recreational and physical activity programming, social engagement, and the provision of physical infrastructure; And whereas there is broad support from all levels of government, seniors and families, and community stakeholders for the shift away from institutional seivices to supporting older adults to age in place in their own homes and communities; And whereas there is a growing recognition that by supporting the health promotion and prevention services offered by the municipal and non-profit community-based seniors sector, it is possible to both maximize the quality of life and minimize the costs of supporting an aging population to live in community for as long as possible: Therefore be it resolved that the following resolution regarding Facilitating Greater Investments in Municipal and Not-for-Profit Seniors Services and Supports be sent to UBCM for consideration at the 2019 annual UBCM convention: Whereas it is widely acknowledged that municipalities play a central role in anticipating the challenges and opportunities associated with an aging population through their involvement in transportation, housing, recreational and physical activity programming, social engagement, and the provision of physical infrastructure; And whereas there is broad support from all levels of government, seniors and families, and community stakeholders for the shift away from institutional services to supporting older adults to age in place in their own homes and communities, as well as a growing recognition that by supporting the health promotion and prevention services offered by municipal and non-profit community-based seniors sector, it is possible to both maximize the quality of life and minimize the costs of supporting an aging population to live in community for as long as possible. And yet, the necessary collaborative structures and processes - between different levels of government, community foundations, etc. - to facilitate the investments in these health promotion and prevention services have not been put in place: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM undertake a research-based policy development project to address the growing pressures on municipalities to provide additional services to support their aging populations, including identifying promising practicesinitiatives by local governments and successful collaborations among municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, provincial agencies andor the federal government, with the goal of developing policy proposals for creating the collaborative structure and processes needed to facilitate greater investments in municipal and not-for-profit seniors services and supports.