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County of Simcoe receives Age-Friendly designation from World Health Organization

June 26, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The World Health Organization has officially recognized the County of Simcoe as an Age-Friendly community for its commitment to fostering healthy and active communities for residents of all ages.

In achieving this designation, the County joins a growing global network of cities and communities that have demonstrated excellence in age-friendly planning and implementation.

“According to the most recent census, nearly 20 percent of the County’s population is aged 60 and older, which is why we are committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for older adults,” said Simcoe County Warden Basil Clarke. “By building up programs, services, and infrastructure, we are ensuring our residents can remain active, engaged, and independent at every stage of life. This designation reflects our dedication to building a community where all our residents can thrive.”

The Age-Friendly Simcoe County initiative was established in 2016 to increase awareness of the County’s aging population as well as help businesses and organizations evaluate their environment and service delivery.

The County continues to provide resources and assessment tools to help organizations implement age-friendly goals and strategies and adapt to our aging population.

“Being recognized as an age-friendly community recognizes the efforts that have been made to showcase the County of Simcoe as a great place for older adults,” said Jane Sinclair, general manager of health and emergency services. “Positive aging depends on strong connections, and accessible resources. We are proud to stand alongside municipalities from across the world in championing inclusivity and the well-being for our aging population.”

The World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program supports communities worldwide in becoming more age-friendly to tap into the potential that older people represent for humanity.

The program encourages cities and communities to adapt their structures and services to be accessible to and inclusive of older people with varying needs and capacities. 

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