New Older Adult Panel To Help Plan and Deliver Community Services for Older Adults in Mississauga

Older adults are invited to apply to a new Older Adult Advisory Panel which will involve residents and organizations in planning and delivering municipal services to older adult residents in the Mississauga community.  Application deadline is February 28, 2014.

A total of 11 community members (one from each ward), five city staff and two City councillors will provide advice and support in four specific areas:

• Co-ordinate the annual Older Adult Educational Symposium
• Assist in planning Senior Month activities in June 2014
• Provide input to Future Directions (refresh of Master Plans for services including Recreation, Fire and Emergency Services, Parks and Forestry and Library) focussing on a community physical space review for current and future needs
• Help the City pursue designation as an Age Friendly City from the World Health Organization (WHO)

“The Older Adult Advisory Panel delivers on the Older Adult Plan recommendation to provide the chance for older adults to exchange information and advice with City staff on developing and improving older adult services,” said Recreation Director Howie Dayton.  “The panel also will be involved in preparing a multi-year work plan to guide its activities.”

“A major initiative will be the City’s designation as an Age Friendly community,” added Dayton.  “This designation will establish Mississauga in this internationally-recognized WHO program as a municipality that supports older adult participation in social, civic, employment, communication, healthy active living opportunities in the community.”

The term for each Community Panel member will be two years and members may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.  Selection criteria requires that applicants be Mississauga residents, 55 years or older and represent the broader interests of the older adult community.  A staff committee will review the applications with an effort to recruit members that represent Mississauga’s diversity and gender balance.

Mississauga older adults interested in serving on the panel are invited to view the panel terms of reference and complete an application form online at www.mississauga.ca/olderadults.  Application forms are also available at city community centres, libraries and the Customer Service Centre at the Central Library, 301 Burnhamthorpe Road West.  For more information, contact Lorena Smith, Community Development Co-ordinator, Older Adults at 905-615-3200 Ext. 3718 or lorena.smith@mississauga.ca.

As Canada’s sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 741,000 residents and 55,000 businesses, including 63 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. A diverse, progressive and award-winning municipality located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area, Mississauga is “Leading Today for Tomorrow” by focusing on delivering services, implementing its Strategic Plan, delivering value for money and maintaining infrastructure.