In less than 30 years, nearly half of Simcoe County residents will be 55 and older.

Today, 31 per cent of Simcoe County’s population is in this category. By 2041, that population is expected to increase to 41 per cent.

It’s a significant shift, and the county has started to prepare with the creation of an age-friendly community plan.

“It will help not only the County of Simcoe, but all local municipalities, in terms of understanding what the needs are of older adults in our community,” said Jane Sinclair, general manager of health and emergency services at the County of Simcoe.

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After an extensive public engagement process that garnered feedback from over 3,500 local seniors, the county has just released the first phase of its needs assessment. The county has narrowed its needs to four key planning areas: transportation; communication and information; affordability of housing, social events and activities; and accessibility.

Steps are already underway to address these needs.

“All of those initiatives we have underway really fit well with where the needs are for our older population and will help us in terms of our future planning,” Sinclair said.

For example, public feedback determined transportation — to places like health-care appointments and social events — is a huge need, and the county is working on several initiatives. A five-year regional transit plan will link Angus, Alliston, Borden, Bradford, Barrie, Collingwood, Midland, Orillia, Penetanguishene and Wasaga Beach. Innisfil is connected via GO Transit buses.

An online booking system is also in the works to connect people with transportation providers, including Helping Hands and Canadian Red Cross.

Housing was also a key need. The county's social housing wait list averages three to six years.