Age-Friendly Recognition Program
Onboarding Guide
Welcome to the New Brunswick Age-Friendly Community Recognition Program Onboarding Guide.
AFAC-NB developed this guide as a one-stop resource to simplify the process of completing the application to become recognized as an age-friendly community.
While you may already be doing work in your municipality that contributes to an age-friendly community, this initiative is so important to present and future generations, along with the sustainability of the community and the well-being of its residents.
Age-friendly communities are not just a trend but a necessary evolution for sustainable living. Thus the reason why the New Brunswick Age-Friendly Community Recognition was created.
To support your municipality in achieving and maintaining age-friendly status, AFAC-NB has developed an onboarding package and step-by-step guide. This resource outlines the application process, preparation steps, and ongoing requirements to uphold your recognition.
Step-by-Step Guide & Resources
Onboarding Guide Introduction:
The following outlines the steps and requirements to achieving age-friendly status for your municipality.
NOTE: You can download the entire onboarding guide and resource package for offline access, or follow each of the onboarding steps below.
or
follow each step below
Step 1: Pass a Municipal Resolution
Responsible parties: Mayor and Council
The first step to becoming an Age-Friendly Community in New Brunswick is securing support from your local government.
Since municipal councils legally represent the community, they must be engaged from the start.
To begin the process, the council should pass a resolution formally supporting the initiative.
This resolution must:
- Confirm the community's understanding of age-friendly principles and requirements;
- And that it be signed and dated.
It is also recommended that a council member be appointed to the Age-Friendly Community Committee to serve as a liaison. Once established, the committee will take on a leadership role in the initiative.
Once you have completed the requirements in this step, you can move onto the next step below.
Step 2: Establish an Age-Friendly Community Committee
Responsible parties: Mayor and Council
The next step is to establish an Age-Friendly Community Committee for your community.
This committee should be diverse and if possible, include:
Older adults and other community members;
Representatives from community organizations, seniors' groups, and local businesses;
Individuals who are often isolated or underrepresented;
And a municipal councillor and/or staff member to ensure direct communication with the council and support for the action plan to be developed by the committee.
Committee members are made up of residents from within the community and might come from Government & Public Services, Community and Recreational Organizations, Educational institutions, local businesses, Media outlets and Transportation & Accessibility services.
The Age-Friendly Community Committee is responsible for:
Creating a coordinated approach among citizens, local government, service providers, community organizations, and businesses;
Raising public awareness and engagement;
And overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all age-friendly initiatives.
The Age-Friendly Community Committee should also appoint a chairperson to lead meetings and provide regular updates to the municipal council to keep elected officials informed of progress and outcomes.
When forming the Committee, A terms of reference document is required, listing each member's affiliation (e.g., seniors' group, local business) and contact email.
Don't Forget!
Request Start-Up Contribution from AFAC-NB
Financial support is available to the committee from AFAC-NB to help alleviate the costs of activating the initiative. This start-up contribution is meant to help with costs associated with the next step - completing a community needs assessment.
It can be used for various expenses, such as:
- Printing and Postage fees;
- Required Travel;
- Meals during town hall or focus group meetings;
- Or other associated costs.
Once you have completed the requirements in this step, you can move onto the next step below.
Step 3: Complete a Community Needs Assessment
Responsible party: Age-Friendly Community Committee
To build an age-friendly community, we need input from residents to understand their needs across eight key areas, referred to as Domains.
These domains are organized into 3 categories:
1.Physical Environment
This includes:
Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings,
Housing,
and Transportation
2. Social Environment
This refers to:
Social Participation,
Respect and Social Inclusion and
Civic Participation and Employment
3. Personal Well-Being
This covers:
Communication and Information,
as well as Community Support and Health Services.
The assessment can be accomplished through surveys, focus groups, or community meetings.
It might feel like a big task, but don't worry—you're not alone! Other New Brunswick communities have already gone through this process and are happy to share their experience. Plus, local organizations may be willing to help.
The goal is simple: Determine what seniors need to feel safe, stay active, and remain in their homes or communities as they age.
A community assessment helps identify what services and supports already exist—and what's missing. By comparing current resources with what residents say they need, we can pinpoint the gaps and figure out how to fill them.
When documenting your assessment, be sure to include who participated, how they were engaged—whether through surveys, focus groups, or events—and when these activities took place. This input is key to shaping a strong action plan and making your community more age-friendly!
Once you have completed the requirements in this step, you can move onto the next step below.
Step 4: Develop an Action Plan
Responsible party: Age-Friendly Community Committee
Now it's time to develop an action plan—an essential step in becoming a recognized age-friendly community in New Brunswick.
The Action Plan should be a 3-year timeline and include 3 to 4 key action items addressing the most critical issues identified in the community needs assessment across the 8 Domains.
The Action Plan for each item identified should include:
The Focus Area - Which age-friendly domain is being addressed?
The Action - A clear, specific step to take. (For example: "Add more benches along the walking trail.")
Who's Responsible - Identify leaders and community partners to help make it happen.
Resources Needed - People, funding, technical support—whatever it takes to get the job done.
Timeline - When each action will be completed.
The action plan must be approved by the Mayor and Council and shared with the public, such as by posting it on the community's website and keeping it updated. Transparency is essential for building trust and demonstrating progress.
Once you have completed the requirements in this step, you can move onto the next step below.
STEP 5: Complete Government Application
to Become Age-Friendly Recognized
Responsible party: Age-Friendly Community Committee
Once you've completed the 5 previous steps, your community is ready to apply for official recognition as an age-friendly community through the New Brunswick Department of Social Development.
The application will include:
The municipal resolution confirming the commitment to becoming age-friendly;
The Terms of Reference for your committee;
The results of the community needs assessment;
And your 3-year action plan.
You'll also need to include a one-page summary outlining the steps your community has taken.
This should cover:
The date the municipal resolution was passed;
When the committee was formed;
Key highlights from the needs assessment;
And major actions outlined in the action plan.
Once submitted, the Application Assessment Team will review the application. If it meets the requirements for recognition as an age-friendly community, it will be sent to the Minister of the Department of Social Development for final review and approval. The review process takes 8–10 weeks, after which the community will be notified of the decision.
Age-Friendly Recognition Award, Post-Recognition & Support
Upon receiving the Age-Friendly Recognition Award, your municipality will receive An Age-Friendly Community Recognition Plaque and Banner, as well as a spot on the New Brunswick Age-Friendly Community Map.
In addition, the community can receive national recognition from the Public Health Agency of Canada and an invitation to join the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. This can be coordinated by the Department of Social Development.
Post-recognition
Recognition as an age-friendly community is just the beginning of the journey.
With the ongoing support of AFAC-NB, the committee will develop and implement a new 3-year Action Plan and continually monitor the progress of each action item in the plan.
At the end of the 3 years, the age-friendly community committee will reassess and create a new action plan for the next 3 years and submit it to your municipality council for approval. Once approved, a new application will be submitted to the Government of New Brunswick to maintain your community's recognition status.
More information and resources related to post-recognition requirements are available in your onboarding package.
AFAC-NB Guidance & Support