By Matthew Liebenberg
Southwest Booster
The implementation of an initiative to make Swift Current an age-friendly community has received formal support from City council.
A motion was approved by council members during the regular City council meeting on Aug. 17 that the City of Swift Current actively participates, supports, promotes and works to assess and improve accessibility and inclusion for older persons, persons with disabilities, children and youth in the community.
This formal council resolution was part of the process started by the City in 2025 to obtain recognition for Swift Current as an age-friendly community.
Nicole Spenst, the City general manager of community services, presented a report to the meeting about the steps already taken to date.
She noted that the City has recently joined Age-Friendly Saskatchewan, which is a network of communities across the province aiming to be more inclusive and age-friendly.
“Age-Friendly Saskatchewan is part of a global World Health Organization (WHO) initiative that promotes healthy, safe, and accessible communities where people of all ages are valued, included, and supported,” she said.
The activities of Age-Friendly Saskatchewan are coordinated by a committee appointed by Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism (SSM). It assists communities with the process to become more age-friendly.
“All residents, including older persons, persons with disabilities, children, and youth, deserve opportunities to participate fully and meaningfully in the social and economic life of their community,” she said. “As Saskatchewan’s population ages, the age-friendly initiative will play an important role in supporting sustainable communities. Building an inclusive community that adapts to residents’ changing needs offers significant social and economic benefits.”
According to Spenst the start of this initiative in Swift Current can be traced back to a Seniors Expo co-hosted by the City’s Community Services Division and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) on Nov. 3, 2025. The event included information about resources available for older adults and there was a community discussion forum as well as a presentation by an Age-Friendly Saskatchewan representative.
“Feedback from Expo attendees showed strong interest in a more coordinated approach to supporting older adults in Swift Current,” she said. “This momentum led to the creation of Swift Current’s Age-Friendly Committee, now the driving force behind the local age-friendly community initiative.”
This committee includes community members and local stakeholders such as the City, SHA and the SaskAbilities Dementia Program.
“They will guide planning, identify priorities, and help shape programs and services that reflect the needs of older adults in the community,” she said.
The City and SHA are also participating in an 18-month long Social Prescribing pilot program in partnership with SSM.
“The program allows healthcare providers to refer older adults to a community connector, who helps them access programs, services, and community opportunities that align with their interests and needs,” she said.
Spenst felt the activities carried out by the Age-Friendly Committee in conjunction with the Social Prescribing initiative can make a difference to strengthen support systems and expand opportunities for older adults.
The City has received provincial grant funding to appoint an age-friendly facilitator for a one-year period and for the appointment of a community connector during the 18-month period of the Social Prescribing pilot program.
The City will continue to carry out the different steps under the WHO framework to receive recognition as an age-friendly community. Steps already completed are the establishment of the Age-Friendly Committee and securing municipal government support, which happened with the formal motion at the Aug. 17 council meeting.
A community assessment to identify where age-friendly initiatives are needed is under way. Thereafter an action plan will be developed, publicized and implemented.
