Age friendly communities are those actively working to tackle issues and promote changes to support the senior population. Humboldt is one of 15 communities with recognized programming directed toward the Age-Friendly movement, supported by the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism. 

This week three Saskatchewan communities were recognized by the Province of Saskatchewan for their commitment  to age-friendly principles through community engagement and action. The recognition came on November 22. 

"I congratulate the recipients of today's Age-Friendly recognition on their efforts to consider the needs of seniors and older adults, and how their communities can play a role in enhancing their quality of life," Minister of Seniors Everett Hindley said. "Our government supports the Age-Friendly Communities initiative, which promotes healthy, accessible and inclusive communities, where everyone is valued and supported." 

Kipling and District, Moose Jaw and Regina are each receiving an award from the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism (SSM) to acknowledge their work on activities and programming to be more inclusive of seniors and older adults, leading to communities that benefit all ages.

Cori Norman is the president of Humboldt Age-Friendly. Like those communities recognized, Norman says that the Humboldt organization pursues those same goals. 

“The organization was established in 2020 to create an inclusive senior community.” explains Norman. “Today we are aiming to establish an understanding of the common needs that seniors have living within this community, with transportation and friendly bathroom businesses being some of the things we are trying to establish long term strategies for.”

The City of Humboldt is working on some of the same goals by inviting residents to participate in its transportation survey to determine those needs. Accessible and affordable transportation is  a key to the Age Friendly strategy, says Norman.

“Transportation would enable seniors to not only be independent getting around within the community, but also outside of the community, whether for appointments or just visiting their families.”

Available bathroom facilities in retail spaces is another focus for development.

“It would relieve stress and enable independence for seniors allowing them to interact with and support their community,” Norman says. 

Community checklists are another initiative. Consultation with seniors is helping develop a needs list that can be distributed to event planners, public space officials, and businesses to help determine the sorts of actions and considerations that would make life easier on seniors. 

The committee meets monthly, and Norman says that input and new membership are welcome. Interested parties can contact Norman directly at (306) 231-6955.

The provincial organization supports the efforts of all Age Friendly Communities.

"Fifteen communities in this province are part of the Age-Friendly movement," SSM Board Member and Chair of the Age-Friendly Saskatchewan Committee Doug Still said. "Together, their combined populations represent over half a million people in a variety of locations ranging from rural municipalities and towns, to our two largest cities. These communities are committed to looking at community development by and with older adults, knowing that age-friendly means all-ages friendly where everyone benefits." 

For more information on the Age-Friendly Communities Recognition Program, including the application process, visit the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism website at https://skseniorsmechanism.ca/ or the Age-Friendly Saskatchewan website at www.agefriendlysk.ca.

To participate in the City of Humboldt’s Transportation Survey, click the link to the related story below. 

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