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Consider the community you want to grow old in. Does it have social opportunities? Can you walk to shops and services? Many communities in BC have worked to become more age-friendly. Older adults benefit and the community becomes more attractive for everyone.

Many BC communities have become more age-friendly. Age-friendly communities include:

• Outdoor spaces and buildings
  Outdoor spaces and public buildings are clean, secure, and physically accessible.
• Transportation
  Public transportation is accessible and affordable.
• Housing
  Housing is affordable, well located and built, and secure.
• Social participation
  There are opportunities in leisure, social, cultural and spiritual activities for people of all ages and cultures.
• Respect and social inclusion
  Older people are treated with respect and are included in the community.
• Civic participation and employment
  Opportunities for employment and volunteerism cater to older persons’ interests and abilities.
• Communication and information
  Information about activities and services is available and easy to understand.
• Community support and health services
  Support and health services are tailored to older persons’ needs.

Ask the following questions to check how age-friendly a community is:

• Are health services close by?
• Does your community have welcoming public spaces, good public transportation, affordable housing, and employment / volunteer opportunities?
• Does it offer services and activities for older adults and support an active, socially-engaged lifestyle?
• Do you feel safe in your community?

If your local government is interested in becoming more age-friendly there are resources and guides to help. Ask them to check out How to become an age-friendly community.

By 2031, nearly one quarter of all British Columbians will be over the age of 65. By the year 2050, the world’s population will be made up of more people aged 60 and over than children for the first time in human history.