Age-Friendly Action Plans in Rural Communities

By embracing age-friendly principles, rural communities can enhance quality of life, promote social cohesion, and drive sustainable development. Our workshop covers the development and implementation of an age-friendly action plan.

Featured Image

Introduction

In rural settings, fostering age-friendly environments is not just a choice; it’s a necessity. By embracing age-friendly principles, rural communities can enhance quality of life, promote social cohesion, and drive sustainable development for generations to come. Our workshop is designed to provide an overview of the development and implementation of an age-friendly action plan based on the eight domains of age-friendly communities as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO):  

  • Outdoor Spaces and Buildings 
  • Transportation 
  • Housing 
  • Social Participation 
  • Respect and Social Inclusion 
  • Work and Civic Engagement 
  • Communication and Information 
  • Community and Health Services 

Topics Covered

We will walk through the community engagement and outreach process (who should be involved), community needs assessment, data collection, age-friendly action plan framework development, and implementation.

Request a Proposal

Quote Icon

The Shelter Pulse Database Project enabled rural and remote shelters to work together in providing trauma-informed policies and procedures for violence against women shelters in Canada. The experts from the field that gathered to share their knowledge to the Shelter Pulse Database make this new tool invaluable. Under the leadership of the Rural Development Network, many partner shelters contributed to the outcome.


Cindy Easton – Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter Association (MRWSA)

Quote Icon

As a previous participant in the Enabling Housing Choice project with RDN, we are excited to be making progress on key recommendations outlined in RDN’s report – Attracting Diverse Housing Development in Mayerthorpe. This report has been critical to understanding our community’s diverse housing needs, and has equipped us with  community-informed insights on how to address these needs.


Karen St. Martin – Town of Mayerthorpe

Enabling Housing Choice, Housing

Quote Icon

Understanding the significance of having people with lived experience and Indigenous people being at the tables of all conversations – especially those with decision making authority. The value of community, and looking after ourselves so we can serve others. That there is a community of people who I can learn from and share with in my work to serve my community.


Training Participant

National Coordinated Access

Quote Icon

This training was so invigorating, refreshing and very much needed. The intimate setting, I feel, made a huge difference. We left the event with a deeper understanding and a strengthened network. We were reminded to focus on the capacity that we have, not necessarily all we would love to be able to do, and take it in steps. Thank you, thank you, thank you!


Coordinated Access Training Participant

National Coordinated Access

Quote Icon

Creating a sense of home is so much more than just a building and the Innovation Fund gave SHI and the YWCA creative space to think differently about our approach to design. Living in Banff National Park also strongly influenced our commitment to net zero targets. Belonging, security, connection, affordability, community pride-these are all factors that have influenced how we developed the Courtyard project.


Connie MacDonald- Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Banff

Housing

Quote Icon

We are forever grateful to work together on this insight for our project. If not for the support from RDN on this we would not be where we are today! Our dream was to attain transitional, affordable and market housing in our community. This turned into a goal and now a reality. This housing continuum of care will be able to meet people’s needs while recognizing what their housing realities mean in a rural perspective. RDN has walked along with us and been able to connect and answer many questions, concerns and thoughts during this time.


Rebecca Wells – Executive Director, Wellspring Family Resource Center

Housing

Quote Icon

We brainstormed and some said nature and multiculturalism because we are a multicultural building, with people from many different countries and ethnicities here. So we wanted something to represent that, and the mural will make us a landmark in the community as there i s alot of foot-traffic in the community.


St. Joachim Tenant on the Community Mural

Placemaking for Inclusion

Quote Icon

There were people there who don’t normally show up to different functions. Everybody was doing something somewhere and were happy to participate and help others


St. Joachim Tenant on the Mural-Painting Event

Placemaking for Inclusion

Quote Icon

The atmosphere was quite welcoming for everyone. One person said they had been here for 20 years and this was the best event they had seen. The busyness of the room encouraged cliques to break up and this increase mingling


St. Joachim Tenant on the Mural-Painting Event

Placemaking for Inclusion

Quote Icon

It really brought the community together. Overall it was a great success. We also really enjoyed the painting, it was a great opportunity for those who had never painted before.


Senior Tenant, La Société des Manoirs Saint-Joachim

Placemaking for Inclusion

Relevant Resources

August 19, 2024

Awareness Builds Connection in Dementia-Friendly Communities (ABCD): Guides

Age-Friendly, Community Development

Informed by research and the experiences of the ABCD pilot communities, these guides have been developed to support rural communities looking to improve the lives of those living with dementia by becoming more dementia-friendly. Understanding that each community is unique with its strengths and perspectives, this guide is meant to be flexible and adaptable based […]

View

June 20, 2024

Olds, Alberta Age-Friendly Action Plan 

Age-Friendly

A critical factor of ageing in place is having a community that enables older people to do what they have reason to value. According to the World Health Organization’s Global Age-friendly Cities:” A Guide; communities that are age-friendly encourage active ageing by improving opportunities for health, participation, and security, ultimately helping to enhance quality of […]

View

Introduction

This Affordable Housing Course brings together tools and resources from across Canada that apply to anyone interested in the affordable housing development process.

Each module is filled with interactive learning tools and can be completed at your own pace. The affordable housing course will guide you through the following development phases:

  • Initiation
  • Planning
  • Execution
  • Operation

Length: Asynchronous and Self-Paced. 6 hours.

Why should you take this course?  This online course will enhance your understanding of affordable housing development from start to finish.

Topics Covered

1. Introduction

  • a. The Sustainable Housing Initiative

2. Initiation

    • b. Project Concept & Organizational Readiness
    • c. Need & Demand Assessment
    • d. Project Feasibility
    • e. Business Case
    • f. Securing Project Funding

      3. Planning

      • g. The Project Planning Process
      • h. The Development & Building Process
      • i. Creating a Project Charter and Work Plan
      • j. The Consulting Team
      • k. Designing Sustainable Housing

        4. Execution

        • l. Construction Delivery
        • m. Managing a Construction Budget
        • n. Briefing and Reporting
        • o. Authority to Occupy

        5. Closure

        • p. Project Closure
        • q. Property Management & Leasing
        • r. Cost Planning & Maintenance

        6. Impact Investing

        • s. Impact Investment in Affordable Housing

        7. Conclusion

        Register here

        Quote Icon

        The Shelter Pulse Database Project enabled rural and remote shelters to work together in providing trauma-informed policies and procedures for violence against women shelters in Canada. The experts from the field that gathered to share their knowledge to the Shelter Pulse Database make this new tool invaluable. Under the leadership of the Rural Development Network, many partner shelters contributed to the outcome.


        Cindy Easton – Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter Association (MRWSA)

        Quote Icon

        As a previous participant in the Enabling Housing Choice project with RDN, we are excited to be making progress on key recommendations outlined in RDN’s report – Attracting Diverse Housing Development in Mayerthorpe. This report has been critical to understanding our community’s diverse housing needs, and has equipped us with  community-informed insights on how to address these needs.


        Karen St. Martin – Town of Mayerthorpe

        Enabling Housing Choice, Housing

        Quote Icon

        Understanding the significance of having people with lived experience and Indigenous people being at the tables of all conversations – especially those with decision making authority. The value of community, and looking after ourselves so we can serve others. That there is a community of people who I can learn from and share with in my work to serve my community.


        Training Participant

        National Coordinated Access

        Quote Icon

        This training was so invigorating, refreshing and very much needed. The intimate setting, I feel, made a huge difference. We left the event with a deeper understanding and a strengthened network. We were reminded to focus on the capacity that we have, not necessarily all we would love to be able to do, and take it in steps. Thank you, thank you, thank you!


        Coordinated Access Training Participant

        National Coordinated Access

        Quote Icon

        Creating a sense of home is so much more than just a building and the Innovation Fund gave SHI and the YWCA creative space to think differently about our approach to design. Living in Banff National Park also strongly influenced our commitment to net zero targets. Belonging, security, connection, affordability, community pride-these are all factors that have influenced how we developed the Courtyard project.


        Connie MacDonald- Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Banff

        Housing

        Quote Icon

        We are forever grateful to work together on this insight for our project. If not for the support from RDN on this we would not be where we are today! Our dream was to attain transitional, affordable and market housing in our community. This turned into a goal and now a reality. This housing continuum of care will be able to meet people’s needs while recognizing what their housing realities mean in a rural perspective. RDN has walked along with us and been able to connect and answer many questions, concerns and thoughts during this time.


        Rebecca Wells – Executive Director, Wellspring Family Resource Center

        Housing

        Quote Icon

        We brainstormed and some said nature and multiculturalism because we are a multicultural building, with people from many different countries and ethnicities here. So we wanted something to represent that, and the mural will make us a landmark in the community as there i s alot of foot-traffic in the community.


        St. Joachim Tenant on the Community Mural

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Quote Icon

        There were people there who don’t normally show up to different functions. Everybody was doing something somewhere and were happy to participate and help others


        St. Joachim Tenant on the Mural-Painting Event

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Quote Icon

        The atmosphere was quite welcoming for everyone. One person said they had been here for 20 years and this was the best event they had seen. The busyness of the room encouraged cliques to break up and this increase mingling


        St. Joachim Tenant on the Mural-Painting Event

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Quote Icon

        It really brought the community together. Overall it was a great success. We also really enjoyed the painting, it was a great opportunity for those who had never painted before.


        Senior Tenant, La Société des Manoirs Saint-Joachim

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Relevant Resources

        August 27, 2024

        Responses to Homelessness in Alberta

        Homelessness

        The Rural, Remote and Indigenous Communities’ Responses to Homelessness in Alberta What We Heard Report was published in May 2024 and funded by Homeward Trust Edmonton and the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.

        View

        August 26, 2024

        Guide to Implementing Coordinated Access in Smaller Communities

        Homelessness, National Coordinated Access

        The development of the training materials and toolkit builds upon the Housing First philosophy while using a place-based approach along with a person-centred and trauma-informed care lens based on Reconciliation. The was based on a bottom-up, rather than a top-down approach to understanding Coordinated Access through the voices of those with lived experience and the […]

        View

        June 18, 2024

        First Nations Housing & Houselessness Storytelling Tool Template 

        First Nations Data Collection, Homelessness, Housing, Indigenous

        April 1, 2024

        First Nations Data Collection Training Guide  

        First Nations Data Collection, Homelessness, Indigenous

        The purpose of this storytelling tool is to help us take steps to improve the quality of life, housing, and basic needs within our community. Click the buttons below to download/view the resources.

        View

        April 1, 2024

        Coordinated Access Toolkit

        Homelessness

        Resource Missing

        View

        January 1, 2023

        Alberta Homelessness Estimations Reports

        Alberta Provincial Estimations, Homelessness

        October 1, 2022

        Estimating Rural Homelessness

        Alberta Provincial Estimations, Estimating Rural Homelessness, Homelessness

        This step-by-step document has been developed by the Rural Development Network (RDN) for rural communities across Canada that wish to accurately estimate the number of homeless individuals in their community. Click the button below to view the resource as a PDF.

        View

        June 1, 2021

        Developing Emergency Mat Programs 

        Homelessness

        Often, rural and remote communities do not have emergency shelters or supportive/ transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness. In addition, communities may be limited in the resources, staff capacity, trained volunteers, as well as the time needed to implement longer-term responses to homelessness, such as housing or shelter solutions, particularly prior to the onset of […]

        View

        Introduction

        Empower your rural community to thrive with our specialized and customizable training program tailored for service providers and municipalities. Gain an understanding of the unique needs of newcomers moving to rural areas, and learn effective strategies to meet those needs. Our comprehensive training equips you with the tools to foster a more welcoming and inclusive community, ensuring long-term retention and growth.  

        Workshops are facilitated by our experienced team either virtually or in person, and can be tailored to your specific needs. 

        Topics Covered

        The Settlement Needs of Newcomers in Rural Communities

        Storytelling from Newcomers with Lived Experience

        Understanding the Canadian Immigration System

        Anti-Discrimination in the Community

        Barriers to Accessing Services

        Intercultural Competency, Power Dynamics and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

        Welcoming and Inclusive Communities

        Request a Proposal

        Quote Icon

        The Shelter Pulse Database Project enabled rural and remote shelters to work together in providing trauma-informed policies and procedures for violence against women shelters in Canada. The experts from the field that gathered to share their knowledge to the Shelter Pulse Database make this new tool invaluable. Under the leadership of the Rural Development Network, many partner shelters contributed to the outcome.


        Cindy Easton – Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter Association (MRWSA)

        Quote Icon

        As a previous participant in the Enabling Housing Choice project with RDN, we are excited to be making progress on key recommendations outlined in RDN’s report – Attracting Diverse Housing Development in Mayerthorpe. This report has been critical to understanding our community’s diverse housing needs, and has equipped us with  community-informed insights on how to address these needs.


        Karen St. Martin – Town of Mayerthorpe

        Enabling Housing Choice, Housing

        Quote Icon

        Understanding the significance of having people with lived experience and Indigenous people being at the tables of all conversations – especially those with decision making authority. The value of community, and looking after ourselves so we can serve others. That there is a community of people who I can learn from and share with in my work to serve my community.


        Training Participant

        National Coordinated Access

        Quote Icon

        This training was so invigorating, refreshing and very much needed. The intimate setting, I feel, made a huge difference. We left the event with a deeper understanding and a strengthened network. We were reminded to focus on the capacity that we have, not necessarily all we would love to be able to do, and take it in steps. Thank you, thank you, thank you!


        Coordinated Access Training Participant

        National Coordinated Access

        Quote Icon

        Creating a sense of home is so much more than just a building and the Innovation Fund gave SHI and the YWCA creative space to think differently about our approach to design. Living in Banff National Park also strongly influenced our commitment to net zero targets. Belonging, security, connection, affordability, community pride-these are all factors that have influenced how we developed the Courtyard project.


        Connie MacDonald- Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Banff

        Housing

        Quote Icon

        We are forever grateful to work together on this insight for our project. If not for the support from RDN on this we would not be where we are today! Our dream was to attain transitional, affordable and market housing in our community. This turned into a goal and now a reality. This housing continuum of care will be able to meet people’s needs while recognizing what their housing realities mean in a rural perspective. RDN has walked along with us and been able to connect and answer many questions, concerns and thoughts during this time.


        Rebecca Wells – Executive Director, Wellspring Family Resource Center

        Housing

        Quote Icon

        We brainstormed and some said nature and multiculturalism because we are a multicultural building, with people from many different countries and ethnicities here. So we wanted something to represent that, and the mural will make us a landmark in the community as there i s alot of foot-traffic in the community.


        St. Joachim Tenant on the Community Mural

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Quote Icon

        There were people there who don’t normally show up to different functions. Everybody was doing something somewhere and were happy to participate and help others


        St. Joachim Tenant on the Mural-Painting Event

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Quote Icon

        The atmosphere was quite welcoming for everyone. One person said they had been here for 20 years and this was the best event they had seen. The busyness of the room encouraged cliques to break up and this increase mingling


        St. Joachim Tenant on the Mural-Painting Event

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Quote Icon

        It really brought the community together. Overall it was a great success. We also really enjoyed the painting, it was a great opportunity for those who had never painted before.


        Senior Tenant, La Société des Manoirs Saint-Joachim

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Relevant Resources

        June 20, 2024

        Rural Employers’ Awareness on Diversity and Inclusion (READI) Toolkit

        Inclusive Communities, Rural Employers’ Awareness on Diversity and Inclusion, Rural Immigration

        To receive the guide, please click the button below and complete the following form. We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, and we’ll only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the information you requested from us.

        View

        Introduction

        Introducing READI: The Rural Employers’ Awareness on Diversity and Inclusion training program. Elevate your business’s sustainability and tackle labour shortages head-on with our customizable training. Learn proven strategies for successful recruitment, hiring, and retention of newcomer employees, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace that drives growth and prosperity for your business. 

        Topics Covered

        Newcomer Onboarding, Integration and Inclusion

        Intercultural Competence and Communication

        The Hiring Process

        Non-traditional Newcomer Groups and Inclusive Workplace Policy

        Newcomer Perspectives

        Anti-Discrimination in the Workplace

        Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

        Request a Proposal

        Quote Icon

        The Shelter Pulse Database Project enabled rural and remote shelters to work together in providing trauma-informed policies and procedures for violence against women shelters in Canada. The experts from the field that gathered to share their knowledge to the Shelter Pulse Database make this new tool invaluable. Under the leadership of the Rural Development Network, many partner shelters contributed to the outcome.


        Cindy Easton – Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter Association (MRWSA)

        Quote Icon

        As a previous participant in the Enabling Housing Choice project with RDN, we are excited to be making progress on key recommendations outlined in RDN’s report – Attracting Diverse Housing Development in Mayerthorpe. This report has been critical to understanding our community’s diverse housing needs, and has equipped us with  community-informed insights on how to address these needs.


        Karen St. Martin – Town of Mayerthorpe

        Enabling Housing Choice, Housing

        Quote Icon

        Understanding the significance of having people with lived experience and Indigenous people being at the tables of all conversations – especially those with decision making authority. The value of community, and looking after ourselves so we can serve others. That there is a community of people who I can learn from and share with in my work to serve my community.


        Training Participant

        National Coordinated Access

        Quote Icon

        This training was so invigorating, refreshing and very much needed. The intimate setting, I feel, made a huge difference. We left the event with a deeper understanding and a strengthened network. We were reminded to focus on the capacity that we have, not necessarily all we would love to be able to do, and take it in steps. Thank you, thank you, thank you!


        Coordinated Access Training Participant

        National Coordinated Access

        Quote Icon

        Creating a sense of home is so much more than just a building and the Innovation Fund gave SHI and the YWCA creative space to think differently about our approach to design. Living in Banff National Park also strongly influenced our commitment to net zero targets. Belonging, security, connection, affordability, community pride-these are all factors that have influenced how we developed the Courtyard project.


        Connie MacDonald- Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Banff

        Housing

        Quote Icon

        We are forever grateful to work together on this insight for our project. If not for the support from RDN on this we would not be where we are today! Our dream was to attain transitional, affordable and market housing in our community. This turned into a goal and now a reality. This housing continuum of care will be able to meet people’s needs while recognizing what their housing realities mean in a rural perspective. RDN has walked along with us and been able to connect and answer many questions, concerns and thoughts during this time.


        Rebecca Wells – Executive Director, Wellspring Family Resource Center

        Housing

        Quote Icon

        We brainstormed and some said nature and multiculturalism because we are a multicultural building, with people from many different countries and ethnicities here. So we wanted something to represent that, and the mural will make us a landmark in the community as there i s alot of foot-traffic in the community.


        St. Joachim Tenant on the Community Mural

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Quote Icon

        There were people there who don’t normally show up to different functions. Everybody was doing something somewhere and were happy to participate and help others


        St. Joachim Tenant on the Mural-Painting Event

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Quote Icon

        The atmosphere was quite welcoming for everyone. One person said they had been here for 20 years and this was the best event they had seen. The busyness of the room encouraged cliques to break up and this increase mingling


        St. Joachim Tenant on the Mural-Painting Event

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Quote Icon

        It really brought the community together. Overall it was a great success. We also really enjoyed the painting, it was a great opportunity for those who had never painted before.


        Senior Tenant, La Société des Manoirs Saint-Joachim

        Placemaking for Inclusion

        Relevant Resources

        June 20, 2024

        Rural Employers’ Awareness on Diversity and Inclusion (READI) Toolkit

        Inclusive Communities, Rural Employers’ Awareness on Diversity and Inclusion, Rural Immigration

        To receive the guide, please click the button below and complete the following form. We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, and we’ll only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the information you requested from us.

        View

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