The world, including the region is facing a demographic shift.

In 2021, 15% or 212,625 of Peel residents were over the age of 65. This is an increase of 2% since 2016. By 2041, 20% of the population will be older adults.

Peel has joined the global age-friendly movement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a movement towards an age-friendly world and highlighted the need for cities and communities to deliver better outcomes for older adults. It was realized that what is good for older people is good for everyone and by using an age-friendly lens we have a life course perspective. PCoA incorporated the WHO eight domains that influence the health and quality of life of older people into our structure.

There is an increased need for coordinated and aligned services.

Although there has been an increase in number of persons over the age of 65, there has been little change to the services provided to them. PCoA is a strong regional alliance that promotes collaboration and partnerships within the service sector.

Together we have greater collective impact.

PCoA members are individuals and organizations that represent the diverse perspectives of the Peel older adult community.

More voices. More action. More impact.

The World Health Organization (WHO) characterizes an age-friendly community as one that encourages active aging by optimizing opportunities to enhance the quality of life as people age. An age-friendly community adapts its structures, public spaces and transportation to be accessible and inclusive to people with varying needs and capabilities.

In 2002, The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a movement towards an age-friendly world. The World Report on Ageing and Health highlighted the need for cities and communities to deliver better outcomes for older adults such as help build older people’s abilities to:

• meet their basic needs;
• learn, grow and make decisions;
• be mobile;
• build and maintain relationships; and
• contribute

It was realized that what is good for older people is good for everyone and by using an age-friendly lens we have a life course perspective.

A key strategy to facilitate the inclusion of older persons is to make our world more age-friendly, a world that enables people of all ages and abilities to actively participate in community activities and treats everyone with respect, regardless of their age, race/ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, and other factors. WHO defines an Age-friendly Community as a place that makes it easier for older people to stay connected to those who are important to them, helps people stay healthy and active even at the oldest ages, and provides appropriate support to those who can no longer look after themselves. Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon have endorsed the age-friendly concept and have individually developed action plans. Age-friendly Plans and commitment to become age-friendly, ensures a healthy aging perspective is incorporated in regional and municipal policies, plans, and decisions.

A Council on Aging is a grass roots collaborative of representatives from the community that support age-friendly initiatives and through which local action happens. Generally, a Council on Aging is a not-for-profit organization that is community led and independent from municipal Councils.

The Peel Council on Aging works collaboratively with the Region of Peel and each municipality. We have a strong regional voice that promotes knowledge exchange, a forum for sharing best practices, partnerships that bridge gaps between projects and policies to enhance an age-friendly community.

Older adults have been involved in the development, planning and implementation of PCoA. It is an organization built by older adults for older adults.

At each stage of the process, we have conducted community engagement surveys, focus groups, and interviews. The results have and will continue to inform the future action of PCoA.

Older adults who are reflective of the diverse Peel community are actively involved in the PCoA Board of Directors, Steering Committee, and Roundtables.