While your aging family members may have a significant amount of support from family and friends, there are a lot of hours in the week and many seniors still find themselves dealing with periods of isolation. Our caregivers help by providing joyful companionship, but seniors also benefit from participating in community events and activities that interest them. These activities can be engaging, informative and entertaining—plus, they build community connections and can promote a more active lifestyle. There are fitness activities geared towards seniors, special interest clubs, guest speakers and musical performances, social events and more—many of which are inexpensive or free to enjoy. You just need to know where to find them!
Here are three community-based places to take your aging relatives. Our caregivers would be pleased to accompany seniors to these activities during their shifts and can make it a part of their regular care routine. Please contact us to learn more about in-home caregiver services in Toronto and the surrounding areas including this type of personalized social support. We’d be pleased to discuss your needs and provide a quote!
A seniors centre
Toronto is home to several seniors centres across the city—a full list of locations is available here. These centres offer a wide variety of programming including scheduled board games, card games, social gatherings and more. This type of environment is ideal for seniors with limited mobility as there are plenty of seated activities designed for older adults. There are also Seniors Active Living Centres that provide great programming for older adults including arts programs, speaker events, physical activities and cultural events. Once you know what’s available in your neighbourhood, you can explore their programming options and choose something that meets your aging loved one’s needs. Adult Day Programs offer a safe and supportive space for seniors that have cognitive impairments from dementia, stroke, or brain injury. Referrals for these programs are managed by the Home & Community Care Support Centres across the province.
Your local community centre
Toronto is home to many community and rec centres that offer a variety of events and activities throughout the year. There are opportunities for fitness and sports activities, dance lessons, swimming classes and aquafit, arts programming and more. Here’s a list of locations—because there are so many, we recommend choosing a few community centres in your area and looking into their specific offering. You can also look into your local Jewish Community Centre or nearby university facilities. We’re sure you’ll find something of interest!
The library
The Toronto Public Library is a wealth of opportunity for individuals of all ages. In addition to being able to borrow books, music and films, there are fantastic programming options during the day and evening. Check out an author talk, join a book club, enjoy an afternoon performance, attend a special event at the Appel Salon or participate in your local branch’s daytime programs. There are scheduled ‘tea and entertainment’ times that involve a documentary film screening followed by light refreshments. Finally, there is also senior-specific library programming to enjoy. Check out the Toronto Public Library website for more information or ask a librarian at your local branch!
Other places to explore
In addition to these community-based organizations, there are many private businesses offering inexpensive or free programming that may be of interest to seniors. Look into events at your local art gallery, museums, coffee shops, parks, cultural centres and more. You may even find some interesting public lectures at a college or university, or an interesting event at a local theatre. Churches are another great source for community programming—for example, Bloor Street United Church hosts a monthly book club and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church welcomes community members to listen to musical recitals every Friday at noon. St Andrew’s also has a great speaker series. Be sure to explore the event calendars at your local parish—even if you aren’t religious, you may discover a wonderful new community.
Thanks for reading and as always, please share this post with anyone who may benefit from this information. If you have any questions about our homecare services for seniors and others requiring in-home care, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.