Defining your community before getting started will help you to know who needs to be involved. Community can mean a number of different things to different people and can include:

• a group of individuals with common interests or concerns
• a group of individuals working within a specific organization
• groups or organizations within a community area that they serve
• a business or group of businesses wanting to better meet their customers’ needs
• a geographical community such as a region, municipality, town, city, or neighbourhood

(Pedlar, Haworth et al, 1999)

Before getting started, think about the ‘hats’ that exist within your organization or community. Also consider what perspectives need to be involved in the planning of an age friendly community? What ‘hat’ am I wearing as I go through this process? What ‘hats’ are missing? Who could partner with us to create a more age friendly community?

Other groups or members to consider in your age friendly initiative include:

• Citizens, clients, or customers including their caregivers
• Front-line staff who work directly with citizens, clients, or customers
• Community or organizational leader, policy and decision makers
• Other groups or organizations that plan and advocate for healthy community design, sustainable and walkable communities
• Public health professionals who work in related areas such as injury and falls prevention, physical activity, healthy communities, or health and the built environment
• Both private and not-for-profit service providers in health, transportation, housing, or other community services
• Planners - municipal, not-for-profit, or private

• We suggest your group brainstorm on why your community wants to become age friendly and what the benefits will be. You can use these benefits to initiate discussion.
• Develop targets for your community. What is the mission and goals of your group? What is your collective vision of a truly age friendly community?