Helping Seniors Stay Safe, Informed, and Independent

Emergencies such as extreme heat, power outages, wildfire smoke, and severe weather can be especially challenging for older adults. Being prepared can make a big difference.

The City of Nanaimo is creating a Seniors Emergency Preparedness Information Guide to help older adults prepare for community-wide emergencies and know where to find information and support when it's needed most. We want to hear from seniors, caregivers, family members, and organizations that support older adults. Your feedback will help shape the guide.

Have Your Say!

Choose the way that's easiest for you:

  • Complete the survey electronically (below)
  • Complete the survey in paper format (see pick-up/drop-off locations in map below)
  • Complete the survey in paper format with a trusted community organization (see locations in map below)
  • Call us to request the survey in another format or language

About This Project

The City is creating a Seniors Emergency Preparedness Information Guide to help older adults prepare for community-wide emergencies and disastars such as extreme heat, power outages, wildfire smoke, earthquakes and more.

We want your feedback on:

  • What information seniors need most
  • Barriers to emergency preparedness
  • Preferred ways to receive information
  • How to make the guide easy to understand

Survey closes: October 1, 2026

Time required: 10-15 minutes


Don't Want To Do A Survey? No Problem!

We still want to hear from you.

You can:

  • Call us and provide feedback by phone
  • Email your comments

Contact us by:

  • Email: socialdevelopment@nanaimo.ca;
  • Telephone: (250) 755-4414; or
  • Text: (250) 668-5641

Survey Pick-Up & Drop-Off Locations

Need Help Completing the Survey?

Explore the map to find community locations where you can pick up or return a paper survey and get one-on-one assistance with completing it.

Start the Survey!

This survey is for seniors aged 55+, caregivers, family members, service providers, and senior-serving organizations. Your feedback will help create an accessible and practical preparedness guide. The survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes. At the end of this survey, you will have the option to enter a draw to win one of three 2-person, 72-hour emergency kits. Participation in the draw is completely voluntary. To enter, you will be asked to provide your name; otherwise, you may simply skip this step and your survey responses will remain confidential.

Background

In 2019, Nanaimo City Council adopted the Age-Friendly City Plan, which included actions to improve accessibility, social connection, transportation, housing, outdoor spaces, and communication for older adults. A key priority of the plan was ensuring that seniors have access to clear, timely, and culturally appropriate information. These priorities were included in the adoption of the City's Official Community Plan (City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined) and Integrated Action Plan (IAP).

Recent provincial and local research highlights why this work is important. In 2022, the BC Coroners Service reported that older adults, particularly those living alone, face a higher risk during extreme heat events. To better understand local needs, the City completed the Extreme Heat Mapping, Assessment and Planning Project.

The project identified opportunities to better support residents during extreme heat, including providing clearer heat-safety information, creating a heat-relief map, improving emergency preparedness resources, strengthening partnerships with community organizations and Snuneymuxw First Nation, and offering information in commonly spoken community languages. These actions help build a safer and more inclusive community for everyone.