A new program is being launched to help support seniors living in the Nipissing-Parry Sound District.
On Tuesday, Canadore College announced in a press release that the Village at the college is partnering with the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario and the Club Action 50+ East Ferris Group to launch the ‘Seniors’ Centre Without Walls’ Program.
‘Seniors’ Centre Without Walls’ is a community outreach program designed to support vulnerable and isolated seniors and adults with physical disabilities who may find it difficult to leave home for extended periods of time due to financial constraints or mobility issues.
Executive Director with OACAO Sue Hesjedahl says this intergenerational component and partnership with the college is quite unique.
“With funding from the Government of Ontario, we have been supporting clubs and Seniors Active Living Centres across Ontario with the training and implementation of the Seniors’ Centre Without Walls programs,” Hesjedahl said. “During the pandemic, seniors’ centres and clubs closed their doors, and seniors were asked to self-isolate at home.”
Hesjedahl notes that ‘Seniors’ Centre Without Walls’ creates an accessible and affordable way for seniors to stay connected with each other, therefore reducing social isolation.
Older adults, who might normally be active in the community but are unable to leave their home, will benefit most from the program.
The phone-based program that allows people to dial-in using their home phones, free of charge, and connects them to programming that includes music, trivia, or educational sessions.
President of the Club Action 50+ East Ferris Group, Lyne Way-White, says they contacted Canadore for support to implement a Seniors’ Centre Without Walls for club members.
“Our club had been discussing the need to establish this program in East Ferris for the past year, but with the COVID pandemic, the isolation issue became more pressing,” Way-White said. “Finding someone to run this programming was now urgent.”
What started as a conversation to launch the program became an idea to create a regional hub.
Village Collective Impact Project Manager at Canadore Micheline McWhirter says they will be reaching out to community groups, businesses and individuals to provide the 30-to-60 minute program sessions.
“After the testing phase is completed in July, a full calendar of events will be advertised, and anyone 55 or older will be able to register with Seniors’ Centre Without Walls and engage in free programming.”
To register for the program head here.
