Building Age-Friendly Communities: Creating an Age-Friendly Business in Alberta

BUILDING AN AGE-FRIENDLY ALBERTA

Alberta, along with most developed nations, has an aging population. By 2035, Alberta is projected to have a population of over one million seniors. By 2051, one in five Albertans will be a senior1 . This will have consequences for all sectors of society and for every generation. It will affect the way we build infrastructure, the way we get around, and even the way we shop for goods and services. An age-friendly community is one where all individuals can be full and meaningful participants in their community. A community that’s accessible and liveable for all citizens, regardless of their age, circumstances or backgrounds.

BUSINESS — A VITAL PART OF COMMUNITY

When people consider the word “community”, they often think of governments, neighbourhood leagues and various community organizations, such as non-profit and voluntary groups. Certainly, all these things help make a community. However, no Alberta community would be complete without the business sector. Albertans depend on local businesses for countless aspects of their day-to-day lives. Businesses play vital roles in meeting the needs and demands of citizens — everything from food and shelter, to personal care and home maintenance services. Given its importance, the involvement of the business community is crucial in making a community more age-friendly. Think about your own life. If you’re an adult who is in good health and has full mobility, then you may not have trouble accessing the many different parts of your community. You can probably get around and participate in community life fairly easily. Errands such as getting groceries, banking, and shopping likely aren’t a huge challenge for you. However, there are likely a number of people in your community who are in different circumstances. Some residents may have disabilities. Some may have chronic health conditions. Some seniors may be living with reduced mobility, reduced vision or other conditions that come with older age. For these residents, activities such as shopping and banking can be difficult tasks. Having age-friendly businesses in your community can enable more citizens to participate in community life, making for a stronger and more vibrant community overall.