Planning & Policy
Seniors in Richmond are a diverse and growing demographic. The City of Richmond is committed to age-friendly planning to meet the evolving needs of residents 55+ years, by fostering healthy aging, social inclusion and community engagement.
City of Richmond Seniors Strategy (2022–2032)
The City of Richmond Seniors Strategy (2022-2032) guides municipal efforts to create a senior-friendly community. Adopted by Council in September 2022, the Strategy builds on existing programs and partnerships to ensure that Richmond’s seniors:
- Feel safe and valued in their communities
- Have access to essential services and programs
- Enjoy opportunities for social connection and participation
Seniors Strategy Highlight reports are produced every two years to provide an update on the progress made related to actions in the Seniors Strategy. Reports are posted on the Community & Culture Strategies and Policies page once they are approved by Council.
Age-Friendly Planning
In order to optimize the health, participation and security of seniors as they age, the World Health Organization created the Age-Friendly Cities framework to encourage communities to adapt structures and services to increase accessibility and inclusion.
The City of Richmond embraced this framework by implementing several Age-Friendly policies and practices. In 2015, City Council adopted an Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan. The City later received official “Age-Friendly BC Recognition” for completing the Plan’s goals and for its ongoing commitment to Age-Friendly planning.
Building on this foundation, the City of Richmond Seniors Strategy (2022-2032) highlights Strategic Direction 1, “Age-Friendly neighbourhoods that support seniors to age in place”, outlining the City and community partner priorities to reduce social isolation and ensure all seniors, regardless of ability, can actively enjoy a high quality of life.
Engaging Seniors at the Neighbourhood Level
Age-Friendly cities are designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors by optimizing opportunities for remaining healthy, connected and able to participate fully in the activities of their choosing. Strategic Direction 1 in the Seniors Strategy is “Age-Friendly neighbourhoods that support seniors to age in place”. The City’s aim is to engage seniors in each neighbourhood in Richmond to better understand and plan for the needs of an aging population at the neighbourhood level. Action 1.1 of the Seniors Strategy calls for expanding on age-friendly neighbourhoods in Richmond by implementing an Age-Friendly Neighbourhood project in each neighbourhood.
Through forming Neighbourhood Groups in each neighbourhood, these initiatives invite groups of seniors to:- Meet and foster connections with neighbours
- Identify neighbourhood strengths and areas for improvement
- Learn about existing programs and services for seniors
NEW! Blundell (2025)
Help Make Blundell a More Age-Friendly Neighbourhood. The City is inviting seniors aged 55 and older in the Blundell neighbourhood to join the Blundell Age-Friendly Neighbourhood Group – a new initiative to help shape a more inclusive, supportive community.
The group will meet five times between May and June 2025 to share ideas and identify opportunities to make the neighbourhood more age friendly. Up to 15 seniors will be selected to take part, with an emphasis on diverse perspectives. No special experience is needed – just a willingness to contribute. Refreshments will be provided.
Apply by Tue, Apr 22, 2025 at 5:00pm:
or call 604-276-4175 (Mon-Fri, 9:00am-4:00pm)
This initiative will be partially funded by a BC Healthy Communities Age-Friendly Communities grant.
Hamilton (2024)
The Hamilton Age-Friendly Neighbourhood Group met in fall 2024 at Hamilton Community Centre and a follow up session was facilitated at the Hamilton Village Care Centre in winter 2025. This initiative was partially funded by a Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program grant. A report outlining the Hamilton Age-Friendly Neighbourhood Group’s input and experiences will be published in spring 2025.
Cambie/East Richmond (2024)
The Cambie/East Richmond Neighbourhood Group Age-Friendly Neighbourhood Group was facilitated in fall 2024 at the East Richmond Community Hall. This initiative was partially funded by a Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program grant. A report outlining the Cambie/East Richmond Age-Friendly Neighbourhood Group’s input and experiences will be published in spring 2025.
Broadmoor (2024)
The Broadmoor Age-Friendly Neighbourhood Group was facilitated in spring 2024 at South Arm Community Centre. This initiative was partially funded by a BC Healthy Communities Age-Friendly Communities grant. A report outlining the Broadmoor Age-Friendly Neighbourhood Group’s input and experiences will be published in spring 2025.
Seafair (2019)
The first Age-Friendly Neighbourhood Group was facilitated in the Seafair neighbourhood in 2019, partially funded by a Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Age-Friendly Communities Grant. A summary report outlining the Seafair Age-Friendly Neighbourhood Group’s experiences is available here:
Engaging Seniors in Age-Friendly Planning: Seafair Neighbourhood - Final Report
Future Neighbourhood Groups
Additional Age-Friendly Neighbourhood Groups are intended to be offered in other Richmond communities in the future. Please check back here for project updates and final reports as they become available.
Dementia-Friendly Plan
Richmond is committed to creating a dementia-friendly community. In 2019, City Council adopted the Dementia-Friendly Community Action Plan 2019, outlining 25 actions to:- Support and include individuals living with dementia
- Provide resources for caregivers and families
- Promote awareness and accessibility in community spaces
Dementia-friendly initiatives remain a priority in the City of Richmond Seniors Strategy (2022-2032).
Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee
The Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee (RSAC) act as a resource and provide advice to City Council to support and enhance the health and well-being of the 55+ population living in Richmond.
Additional information related to the RSAC and other Council-appointed advisory bodies is available on the City Council Advisory Bodies page.
Seniors Week
BC Seniors Week, which commences on the first Sunday of June each year, honours and celebrates the incredible contributions seniors make to our communities throughout BC. While the City of Richmond celebrates seniors year-round, special events and initiatives take place in June each year to recognize seniors and celebrate Seniors Week in Richmond.
Positive Aging and National Seniors Day
National Seniors Day is celebrated annually across Canada on October 1, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly’s International Day of Older Persons.
Rapid growth in the number of people reaching older ages across the globe underscores the significance of promoting positive aging and fostering supportive environments to assist seniors in maintaining health and independence as they progress in age. Richmond celebrates Positive Aging Week during the first week of October each year by highlighting positive aging in our community and working together to reduce ageism through sharing stories of some of the many diverse and exceptional seniors in Richmond.