Waterloo has been named an age-friendly community by the World Health Organization, joining a network of 41 other designated cities around the world. “We are extremely excited and proud to have received this designation from the World Health Organization,” Mayor Brenda Halloran said after the announcement last week.

By Andrew Soulsby, Special to the Chronicle

Arlene Groh, chair of the mayor’s advisory committee on age-friendly cities, presented city council with the certificate. She submitted the application to join the network and said it was a high honor to receive it.

Groh said Waterloo was lucky to have the support of council in creating an accessible city.

“Waterloo is the envy of other jurisdictions,” she said.
Groh, who also runs Healing Approaches, an elder-abuse prevention consultancy, first discovered the idea of an age-friendly city at a conference in 2009. Shortly after, she set up a public forum that received strong support.

In order to be granted membership to the global network, a city is assessed on a number of measures including transportation, housing, social participation, community support and health services.

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Source: The Record