Learn About How Age-Friendly Consulting is Elevating Senior Living Standards

A New Standard for Senior Living

Discover how Age-Friendly Consulting (AFC) creates an even safer, more enriching environment for seniors and older adults. Learn about the benefits and future impact of their work.

What Does Age-Friendly Consulting Do?

Age-Friendly Consulting, founded by Debra Sayewich, is dedicated to helping businesses and communities adapt their environments and services to meet the needs of an aging population. Their work ensures accessibility, inclusivity, and that support is provided to all, helping older adults navigate the system.

Their work helps to:

• Build relationships with trust and respect
• Get older adults the services and supports that are best suited for them
• Provide support in one's area or region, either rural or urban

Why start Age-Friendly Consulting?

As an Anishinaabe Indigenous person, Sayewich saw firsthand the various broken promises that were made to First Nations people. Her motivation behind starting Age-Friendly Consulting was to bring people together, achieve a sense of balance, and build relationships for all services provided. There was a deep desire to intertwine all professions for all stages and all ages of life.

Services include:

• Home and Health Care
• Community Resource (i.e., Friendship Centre, End-Of-Life)
• Transportation

How does the AFC community remain supportive and aligned with its core values?

Sayewich emphasizes the importance of interviewing all AFC members. Sometimes, people will look for community partners, services, and resources on the internet at the last minute when they are in desperate need of these supports. Bringing all of these supports and services together and making them accessible helps members greatly.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many short-lived businesses emerged and disappeared, unlike the consistent support offered by AFC. AFC has a very unique collaborative culture, where members readily assist each other in finding support or referrals for services they may not personally offer, fostering a strong and positive working relationship.

AFC takes pride in its strong, healthy working relationships. The organization's reputation is highlighted through its invitations to speak at different hospitals, showcasing its presence and credibility in the community.

Changing the Narrative Around Aging and Senior Care

Aging is often misunderstood, but it doesn’t have to be. Sayewich shares her insights on the biggest misconceptions surrounding aging and senior care, the personal passion that drives her work, and why she feels optimistic about the future for older adults.

What are the biggest misconceptions about aging and senior care?

Age is just a number — it doesn’t define a person's abilities, dreams, or worth. As such, we have no right to prejudge what someone can or cannot do and where they should be living. Challenging ageist stereotypes is essential to building a more inclusive, respectful society where every older adult is valued for who they are, not limited by assumptions about their age.

While being a harmful stereotype, ageism can be considered a form of elder abuse, stripping older adults of dignity, opportunity, and respect. Instead of seeing aging as a decline, we should embrace the wisdom and experience that comes with it. Through the concept of OAKS (Older Adults Knowledge Sharing), Sayewich encourages us to educate ourselves on what abuse of older adults may look like, as it can be physical, emotional, or verbal.

Why is this cause important?

Aging is a privilege, not guaranteed to everyone, and it's up to us to help create a world where every person is supported with dignity throughout their life. True change begins by listening to all voices, regardless of wealth, status, or circumstance. Whether someone is living in a mansion or facing homelessness, aging support and services should be accessible to all. Compassion and community care must guide how we support people at every stage and age of life. Being able to spend extended quality time with older loved ones creates precious memories for us, further reinforcing the importance of supporting older adults as they age.

What makes you optimistic about the future and quality of life for seniors?

The optimism for the future of senior care lies within the growing spirit of support and inclusion in our communities. Sayewich believes that when we truly listen, we uncover conversations that need to happen and opportunities to make a real difference and do real good. Whether someone is a newcomer, a lifelong resident, or facing unexpected life challenges, access to care and support should never depend on wealth or status. By recognizing the gaps and working together to bridge them, we can help ensure that everyone, at every stage of life, is valued and supported.

Cultural Respect and Innovation: A New Vision for Senior Care

Creating a better future for seniors means more than improving services — it means rethinking how we honor culture, community, and individual dignity. Sayewich shares why innovation in senior care can go hand-in-hand with cultural respect, inclusion, and learning from Indigenous traditions. Drawing inspiration from First Nations traditions, she highlights how a more compassionate and equitable community approach can shape the next generation of senior living.

What area related to aging would you like to see more innovation happening?

Modern innovation in senior care must focus on greater diversity, cultural sensitivity, and true intergenerational inclusion. Sayewich emphasizes the need to meet older adults where they are, not just through social media and modern technology, but through meaningful, personal connections like phone calls and community outreach. Recognizing that many seniors, especially in rural areas, face barriers such as limited transportation and digital access, there is an emphasis placed on asking the right questions, listening deeply, and creating services that are accessible for people in all stages, all ages, and all communities.

What was something First Nations communities had that should be adopted?

There is a deep respect within First Nations communities for their elders, honoring them as the foundation for future generations. In these communities, older adults are recognized for the pathways they have built, and efforts are made to bring services and supports together in their honor. While progress like the development of health centers is a positive step, it is acknowledged that challenges remain, such as the need for water and better basic services. It is important to truly listen to the voices of elders, beyond headlines or social media, to ensure their needs are met with dignity and understanding.

Would you like to see more LTC and retirement homes catering to the identity of First Nations Communities?

It is vital to have long-term care and retirement homes that truly reflect the culture, language, and traditions of First Nations communities. While some communal living spaces for older adults already exist, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for these communities. Every First Nations community is unique, with its own needs, traditions, and preferences. Sayewich highlights that the first step must always be to listen — to ask older adults what they want and to build services that honor their voices, ensuring dignity, respect, and cultural continuity.

Who should consider joining the Age-Friendly Consulting community?

Individuals, organizations, and services that provide support and assistance to aging adults would be a great fit to join the AFC community.

This includes:

• Therapy Services
• Community Resources
• Legal Counsel
• Home Modification Services
• Downsizing and Estate Movers

How can someone learn more?

Age-Friendly Consulting is listed under the Federal Government website as an Indigenous business. Their information and literature are publicly available, helping them maintain a strong presence.

More information can be found on their website - Age-Friendly Consulting