As of July, 2016, one in six Canadians was over the age of 65. Here in Kingston, about 18 per cent of the population is over the age of 65 and this number continues to grow. We are home to more than 2,200 seniors over the age of 85!  

Age-friendly Kingston

In 2011, council made a commitment to residents that Kingston would become a World Health Organization "Age-friendly" City. Since 2011, committees comprised of community members developed an Age-friendly Plan and produced several documents including the Stage One and Stage Two reports. This work was focused on municipal programs, services and facilities and ensuring that the needs of our aging community were being met across all of the City's work. This work continues and an annual update on the implementation of these recommendations is provided to City Council.

In 2015, the Age-friendly Kingston Community Alliance (AFKCA) was formed to carry on the work of the Age-friendly Plan and to expand the scope to the broader community. This group updated the research done previously through conducting a survey of older adults (aged 45+) in the community on a range of topics including participation in recreational activities, safety, health, and perceptions of the age-friendliness of our community. View the summary of the survey results.

During the work to make Kingston more age-friendly, four themes emerged in discussions with seniors. They said: 

• We want to stay in our homes.
• We want to be actively involved in the Kingston community.
• We want to know what is going on and where to get help when we need it.
• We want to be respected.

Here's some information on what the City and community are doing in these four areas:

Staying in your home

Senior tax assistance

• Senior Property Tax Credit Program – This program provides a $100 tax credit for seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
• Tax Deferral Program – A tax deferral of up to $1000 is available to seniors who own a home and are receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement.

Home help and maintenance

The Seniors Association provides a range of support programs including linking seniors to service providers who can assist with everything from maintenance to shopping and housework. They can be contacted at 613-548-7810.

Community supports

If you are unsure where to turn for help, please contact the 2-1-1 information service by simply dialling 211 from any phone. The call is free and customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to answer your questions and connect you to community resources.  In addition to the phone service, you can also search their website where you will find information on many different types of community supports for older adults.

Staying Active

Recreation

The City offers a wide range of recreational programs specifically geared to the needs and interests of seniors. The City also partners with the Seniors Centre to provide a variety of programs to help you stay active, continue to learn and stay involved.

Parks

The City has more than 200 parks for everyone's enjoyment. Whether you are looking to go for a walk by the lake, or sit under a tree and enjoy the fresh air, there are lots of choices for you.

Getting Around

Kingston Transit makes it easy to get around Kingston. They offer a trip planner that will help you understand how to get from where you are to where you need to be.  Remember: Kingston Transit buses are accessible, but those who prefer or need to use an alternate form of transportation can contact Kingston Access Services at 613-542-2512 or an accessible taxi through City Taxi at 613-542-3333 or Amey's Taxi at 613-546-1111.

Accessibility

Ensuring that all members of our community have access to City programs, services and facilities is very important to us. Accessibility-related questions can be sent through customer service as described above. Find more information about the City's accessibility commitment, resources and our Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee on the accessibility page.

Volunteering

The United Way Volunteer Centre matches local charities with volunteers who lend their skills and expertise to local organizations.  If you are interested in finding out more contact the United Way at 613-542-2674 ext. 1502 or email volunteer@unitedwaykfla.ca. 

The City also has many committees and boards that are annually looking for members to join. 

Staying Informed

Contact us

If you have questions, concerns or compliments about a municipal program and services and aren't sure who to call or email, the City is trying to make it easy for you.  Just call 613-546-0000 and our customer service representatives will be happy to assist you and get you the information you need. If the matter isn't time sensitive you can also send an email to contactus@cityofkingston.ca. Visit the customer service page for more information as well as an online request form.

Get City news in your inbox or your social media feed

If you are interested in getting all the latest news from the City, you can subscribe to the City's news email newsfeed. Of course, the City is also active on social media so be sure to follow the City of Kingston on Facebook and Twitter.

Being respected

The City trains its staff to provide the highest quality service to the residents of Kingston – and we want to hear how we are doing!  You are always encouraged to provide feedback through our customer service phone line 613-546-0000 or contactus@cityofkingston.ca.  We want to hear what you think and about how we can make Kingston better for you, your friends and family and all the many visitors to our community.  Watch for and participate in our many surveys on the Get Involved page and social media and come out in person to give your input at public meetings on topics of interest to you.