About Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton

How it all began, and where we are today

This website is brought to you by Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton, a project that started with a focus on age 55+ and has expanded to support active, healthy and engaged living for people through all life stages.

Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton launched in 2015 with the Age-Friendly Action Plan through a grant opportunity offered by the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility, and has developed and evolved over several more grant opportunities.

The content of this website is based on feedback gathered from community members and care providers in Sarnia-Lambton. It lists many of the services and supports available to residents of Sarnia and Lambton County.

On this website, you will find information and services to help you:

• Be engaged in your community
• Stay healthy and active
• Find care and support

What does Age-Friendly mean?

An age-friendly community supports healthy active living for people through all stages of life and abilities. It is a community that fosters civic, economic, and social participation throughout the life course and makes it easy for older people to stay connected to people who are important to them. It is a place where people can stay healthy and active even at the oldest ages and where appropriate supports are available for those who can no longer look after themselves.

The World Health Organization (WHO) created the Age-Friendly Communities (AFC) initiative to provide an established process for identifying and eliminating gaps at the community level. According to the WHO, an AFC incorporates eight essential elements:
 

1. Housing that is affordable, appropriately located, well built, well designed and secure.


2. Public transportation that is accessible and affordable.


3. Outdoor spaces and public buildings that are pleasant, clean, secure and physically accessible.


4. Community support and health services that are customized and tailored to all persons’ needs.;


5. All communication and information is easily and readily available.


6. Opportunities for employment and volunteerism cater to any person's interests and abilities.


7. People of all ages are treated with respect and are included in civic life.


8. Opportunities are available for social participation in leisure, social, cultural and spiritual activities with people of all ages and cultures.

Thanks to support from the province of Ontario, Age-Friendly Sarnia (AFS) developed a local Community Action Plan with recommended priority action items. The AFS Action Plan was endorsed by Sarnia City Council in 2017. A steering committee and seven sub-committees comprised of 73 community members are currently working on implementing the recommendations in the Action Plan. In 2018 the City of Sarnia was recognized for its local efforts to support an aging population and joined the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Communities. The complete AFS Action Plan is available here: Age-Friendly Sarnia Community Action Plan


Education and Resources

Website Training Videos (https://www.youtube.com/@agefriendlysarnialambton)
1. 24:7 Supports
2. Adding & Updating a Service Listing
3. Adding a Local Event
4. Community Navigator
5. Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton Overview
6. My List
 

Want to become Age Friendly Certified?
Age-Friendly Best Practice for Businesses and Service Providers E-Learning Course is for client service representatives who work with older adults and people with disabilities. This course will encourage learners to evaluate personal bias and incorporate age-friendly best practices into service standards and workplace environment.

 
Promotional Resources

• Printable Poster
• Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton Website Fact Sheet
• To request promotional materials (Post cards, Magnets, Printed Posters) send us a message with the product and amount through the "Contact Us" form.
• Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton Booklet- A Seniors' Guide To Sarnia Lambton - Second Edition, 2021

Education or Speaking Requests 
If you are interested in hearing more about the joint Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton OHT Navigation project send in your request through the Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton "Contact Us" form for an in person or virtual training session.
 

Age-Friendly Community Planning Resources

Finding the Right Fit: Age-Friendly Community Planning Guide

WHO Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities

Age-Friendly Ontario

 

Research Reports

Older Adults Care Pathway Report

Age-Friendly Sarnia Report Card

Age-Friendly Action Plan