As the younger population decreases and the older population increases, it is expected more than half of Thunder Bay residents will be over the age of 50 in the next 15 years.
This is what Age Friendly Thunder Bay Coordinator Bonnie Krysowaty stated during her group’s presentation at city council Monday.
This means services such as Age Friendly Thunder Bay will be required even more in the next decade.
Krysowaty explained the difficulties seniors have with isolation, the issue exacerbated by the pandemic.
“It was hard. We helped people connect with their neighbors so they could stay safe,” explains Krysowaty. “55 plus usually has programs where people visit each other, right now of course it’s through the telephone.”
Navigating Thunder Bay during the pandemic could be difficult for the older generation, who are considerably more likely to have serious symptoms from the virus.
Age Friendly is hoping to make travelling the city easier for seniors.
“We’re currently working with Thunder Bay Transit to develop and edit infographics that show seniors how to ride city transit, and Lyft.”
City councillors discussed preparations for the population trends in the city.
McKellar Ward Councillor Brian Hamilton says this is something Thunder Bay needs to get ahead on, and learn lessons from other communities experiencing this as well.
“A lot of places globally, not just here nationally, are experiencing some surge in aging population, I’m thinking of China, I’m thinking of Japan, that are going through major challenging circumstances.”
Age Friendly Thunder Bay is also hoping to improve safety and housing options for seniors in the city.
