Social inclusion and age-friendly indicators: examining neighbourhood and city trends over time

Enhancing the social inclusion of older adults has become a policy priority in Canada and elsewhere. Social inclusion refers to the involvement of individuals or groups in a way that is meaningful and respected within a community. It derives from a variety of factors, including social relations, access to services, financial resources, transportation and mobility, and individual capacities, as well as how age-friendly a person’s community environment is (e.g., appropriate housing, safe neighborhoods). The present study is designed to examine the extent to which social inclusion/exclusion (e.g., social isolation, social participation) and indicators of age-friendliness vary across neighborhoods in Winnipeg and other Canadian cities. Another focus is to examine whether social inclusion/exclusion and age-friendly indicators change over time. By examining these issues, we aim to identify potential needs and gaps that can be the target for programs to enhance social inclusion.