The World Health Organization (WHO) is recognizing Chatham-Kent's efforts to become an age-friendly community.
A certificate of membership for the WHO's Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities was issued to Mayor Randy Hope and the municipality during a council meeting on March 21.
Devin Andrews with the Chatham-Kent Senior Advisory Committee says the age-friendly program is designed to help communities manage growth in an aging population.
"This is a real feather in our cap as we move forward," says Andrews, adding that the group has been working towards the municipality's membership over the last year. "It's actually a real milestone in our project, and something we've been looking forward to for sometime."
In 2015, teams of volunteers with the advisory committee in Chatham-Kent conducted a needs analysis and consulted local older adults to identify needs and barriers in the community. A community action plan to address the biggest issues was endorsed by council and released in June 2015.
The Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities allows member communities throughout the world to share research and program ideas.
Andrews says there are around 300 communities worldwide that have obtained membership.
"The [WHO] sees [aging populations] as a public health problem on the horizon, with so many people who are aging, and are going to be facing age related declines. If they find these barriers in the community, they will be more likely to stay home," says Andrews. "Once that happens they'll have earlier onset of age related health problems and diseases, dependency on social services to meet day-to-day needs. And this really is something that's completely preventable."
According to the WHO, accessible infrastructure and community services, as well as inclusive social environments, help people remain active, healthy and independent throughout their lives.