Summary report

During the months of February and March 2023, our team actively engaged with over 550 residents from our community to gather their ideas and needs for community centre programming for adults aged 55 and older.

To ensure equitable, accessible, inclusive, and responsive programming, we engaged with several community organizations, including Chandler Mowat’s Resource Café, Memory Boosters, the Canadian Arab Women’s Association, the Somali Canadian Association, and the African Family Revival Organization’s (AFRO) Support through the Generations.

Our efforts also included engaging with individuals attending registered or drop-in programs offered by the City of Kitchener or Neighbourhood Association(s), as well as those attending specific community centres for Food Distribution Services provided by House of Friendship. Through these efforts, we were able to gather additional feedback and build relationships with over 200 residents across Chandler Mowat, Forest Heights, Kingsdale, and Victoria Hills.

Using feedback from focus groups and surveys, we identified assets and gaps related to responsive neighbourhood-based programming, leading to four recommendations that will guide staff in developing tailored programs while also promoting Kitchener’s Age-Friendly vision to live well and age well:

1. Offer additional evening and weekend availability for adult 55+ programming to make programs more convenient to attend
2. Improve communication strategies and community outreach efforts to increase awareness of program opportunities, including the availability of financial assistance programs
3. Introduce more Active Living and Learning programs across community centres to provide a variety of options that cater to different interests and abilities
4. Develop culturally safe and accessible programs and services that address the diverse needs of the community, including considerations for language, religion, race, ethnicity, and disability.

Offering additional evening and weekend availability for adult 55+ programming

Our findings suggest that there is a need to offer additional evening and weekend availability for adult 55+ programming across community centres.

In particular, among the 60% of survey respondents that indicated changes were needed, 22% emphasized the importance of alternative program times. Specifically, running programs between 5:00pm and 7:00pm, and providing more weekend availability and flexibility were identified as the most essential changes. Respondents cited inconvenient program times as the primary barrier preventing them from participating in programs at community centres, followed by a lack of awareness and interest in the current programs.

These findings highlight the importance in accommodating the scheduling needs of the 55+ demographic to enhance participation in community centre programming. By offering additional evening and weekend availability, community centres can better serve this population and provide greater access to the programs offered.

This recommendation reflects larger societal norms around age of retirement, with many older adults expecting to retire between the ages of 65 and 70.

Improving communication strategies and community outreach

Our findings suggest that there is a need to improve communication strategies and community outreach efforts in promoting older adult programs at community centres. Our engagement events revealed that the majority of older adults we interacted with had not only never attended a registered or drop in older adult programs at community centres in the last two years, but that many had never visited a community centre.

A significant barrier to participating in programs that was identified by survey respondents was a lack of awareness of program opportunities and financial assistance programs. Specifically, 75% of respondents were unaware of Leisure Access, a program designed to provide financial assistance to low-income residents, while an additional 35% of respondents indicated that being unaware of program opportunities was a significant factor preventing them from participating in community centre programs.

To enhance the accessibility, affordability, and inclusivity of older adult programs, participants suggested several ideas. These included appointing a community outreach personnel and/or a seniors outreach worker in the community, making Active Net more user-friendly, delivering Active Kitchener directly to residents’ homes, and improving and expanding the advertisement of programs outside of community centres.

Introducing more Active Living and Learning programs across community centres

In our community engagement efforts, survey respondents emphasized the importance of program quality in community centers, particularly in Active Living programs. Respondents expressed strong interest in staying physical active to prevent physical health problems, stimulate muscles, maintain independence, improve strength and balance, and prevent injury.

Aside from Active Living programs, survey results indicated that 57% of respondents were interested in Wellness programs, and 47% expressed interest in Learning programs. During community engagement activities and focus groups, it was evident that Learning programs were particularly important to older adults from racialized communities, those with low incomes, and/or low English literacy levels. These programs included language classes, technology training, health and wellness education, and community service navigation.

Developing culturally safe and accessible programs and services

Throughout our engagements with community groups, an emphasis on culturally safe and accessible programs and services emerged. This includes equitable considerations across a myriad of determinants experienced by program attendees, including cost; dis/ability; language; and religion, race, and ethnicity.

Language and interpretation services were identified as critical components of accessibility and cultural safety. As of 2021, 29 percent of Kitchener’s population are immigrants, while 31% identify as visible minority populations. Providing programs and services in languages other than English or with free interpretation services can promote inclusion, respect, and feelings of safety.

In addition, attendees emphasized the importance of acknowledging cultural and religious customs to promote inclusion efforts. For example, men’s-only and women’s only options were suggested, particularly in Active Living and Swimming programs, which are highly anticipated.

Cost was identified as a barrier for some program attendees, with more than 23% of respondents indicating this as a concern. Suggestions to address this included offering free trials, partnering with community organizations, increasing senior discounts, and adjusting price based on income.