Projects
Building an Age-Friendly Saskatoon
The Age-Friendly Saskatoon Initiative started in 2011 and concluded in 2016. The Age-Friendly Saskatoon Initiative consisted of three phases, with the primary objective to transform Saskatoon into an "age-friendly" community where older adults can enjoy healthy, independent lives as active community members. SCOA engaged with more than 500 older adults to gather insights about their experiences growing older in Saskatoon. Subsequently, three reports were published, each containing insightful recommendations.
To bring these recommendations to life, SCOA partnered with the City of Saskatoon, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Government of Saskatchewan, and various other organizations. This concerted effort aimed to turn the recommendations into actionable changes that would foster an age-friendly Saskatoon.
Age-Friendly Initiatives
Beyond the Pandemic: Elevating the experiences and voices of older adults in the Saskatoon area
Working with key stakeholders, including the University of Saskatchewan, SCOA undertook this project to better understand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of older adults.
SCOA also wanted to ensure that older adults had an opportunity to have their voices heard, that the diversity of perspectives of older adults was reflected in future planning, and that older people were engaged as co-leaders in developing new and innovative approaches that have a direct impact on them.
409 older adults aged 55+ from Saskatoon and area responded to the research survey, and 49 older adults participated in the eight focus groups. The project began in November 2021 and completed in March 2022. The final report was released in May 2023.
Beyond the Pandemic was funded by the New Horizons for Seniors Program and the Government of Canada
Download the White Paper >
Confront Ageism: It Starts With You
The Saskatoon Council on Aging public education campaign, Confronting Ageism: It Starts With You, raises awareness of ageism and its harmful effects and offers positive alternatives to negative stereotyping. The Confront Ageism program aims to shift attitudes towards older adults and aging by providing positive alternatives that create a more inclusive environment for all. Coordinated by older adults, this public education campaign launches in fall 2023 and concludes in March 2024.
Confront Ageism: It Starts With You is funded by New Horizons for Seniors Program and the Government of Canada.
Find us on Facebook: Page Confront Ageism: It Starts With U
Instagram: search for user name howoldwouldub or instagram.com/howoldwouldub/
TikTok: search for user name @confrontageism user name or tiktok.com/@confrontageism
If you would like to learn more about the Confront Ageism campaign, please send an email to Virginia at virginia@scoa.ca.
Life Enrichment 55 to 105: Positive Aging Series
The Positive Aging series offers ten workshops to prepare older adults ages 55+ to navigate the life changes of growing older.
As the older adult population in Saskatoon continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important to nurture a positive outlook on the aging process and equip individuals with the tools for continued learning and personal growth. The Positive Aging Series will kick off in the fall of 2023 and conclude in March 2024.
The Positive Aging series offers ten workshops to prepare older adults ages 55+ to navigate the life changes of growing older.
Browse our calendar for more information on the Positive Aging workshops.
The Positive Aging Series workshop topics include:
Ageism
Elder Abuse
Six Phases of Retirement
Caregiving
Digital Literacy
Avoiding Fraud and Scams
Housing
Transportation
Social Participation
Wellness
Utilizing an Age-friendly Lens
The Age-Friendly Lens is a self-assessment tool that provides a structured approach for organizations and communities to evaluate their initiatives and ensure they cater to the needs and preferences of older adults.
Projects and Partnerships
Working with Seniors: Age-Friendly Training Video
In partnership with Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatoon Fire and Preston Park Retirement Residence
SCOA collaborated with the Saskatoon Police and Fire Services, along with the Preston Park 1 Retirement Residence, to mark the launch of the Working with Seniors training video. This event celebrated community partnerships, positive action, and fabulous actors. The police and fire services now have a valuable tool to enhance staff understanding of older adult issues, creating a safer and more age-friendly Saskatoon.
Seniors Community Police and Fire Academy
In partnership with Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Fire
The initial eight-week academy started on April 17, 2019, and welcomed twenty older adults from Saskatoon. This program aimed to educate older adults on various safety and security matters. Participants learned about home and personal security, fraud prevention, internet safety, traffic guidelines, elder abuse, K-9 policing, emergency preparedness and fire safety.
Remembering When: A Fire and Fall Prevention Program
The Saskatoon Council on Aging partnered with Saskatoon Fire to deliver presentations on fire and fall prevention to older adults in the community.
Building Respectful Inclusive Communities – B.R.I.C
For numerous older adults, aging in place means transitioning from a family home to retirement residences or assisted living facilities. Older adults residing in such facilities must experience safety, respect, and a sense of inclusion to foster healthy aging. Achieving this involves providing education and empowering older adults to drive positive changes within their communities, all facilitated by their peers.
Experience Transit
In Partnership with Saskatoon Transit
Experience Transit helps older adults overcome the initial challenges of public transit through positive experience and practice. The Saskatoon Council on Aging collaborates closely with Saskatoon Transit to assist older adults through our Bus Buddy program.
SCOA has also partnered with Saskatoon Transit and Preston Park Retirement Residence to create training videos to support older adults in navigating the transit system more effectively.
Reaching Out to the Aboriginal Community: Aboriginal Engagement in an Age-friendly Saskatoon
SCOA worked with Aboriginal seniors and Elders to add their voices to the conversation around creating an age-friendly Saskatoon. This project aimed to:
Hear directly from older aboriginal people about their experiences growing older in Saskatoon.
Identify ways to include the Aboriginal voice in the discussions on making Saskatoon an age-friendly community
Identify needs and ideas about what is necessary to improve the demographic's quality of life.
Identify paths for change to bring in front of leadership.
LGBTQ+ Older Adults
In partnership with OUT Saskatoon, funded by the Saskatoon Health Region
The Saskatoon Council on Aging partnered with OUT Saskatoon to examine ways to meet the needs of older lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender individuals living in residential environments.
Lesbian, Gay Men, Bisexual, Transgender Older Adults: Enhancing Congregate Housing >
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Older Adults and Residential Care Environments >
Take Action for an Age-Friendly Saskatoon
Interested in SCOA's age-friendly projects and partnerships? Contact us today to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of Saskatoon's seniors.