Kanata seniors centre receives $54,000 provincial grant

KANATA – The Kanata Seniors Centre is receiving a $54,000 provincial grant to help support virtual programming and improved communications services to serve the senior community.

“The Ontario government is investing $14.3 million in 2020-21 to support nearly 300 seniors active living centres,” the province released in a statement today (March 9). “These programs will deliver new virtual initiatives to help keep seniors safe and socially connected as they continue to self-isolate due to COVID-19.

“Given the fact that many seniors have had to self-isolate during COVID-19, it is important that we look to programs that will keep them safe and connected,” Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho said. “Our government’s investment in seniors active living centres will help older adults stay virtually engaged with their friends, family and communities while combatting social isolation during the pandemic.”

“I am very pleased the Kanata Seniors Centre received more than $54,000 from the province,” Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, MPP for Kanata-Carleton and Minister of Long-Term Care, said. “With the challenges the pandemic has presented for seniors, it is very important that local organizations are able to provide programs and services that will ensure our residents are not isolated and feeling out of touch. The Kanata Seniors Centre is doing important work reaching out and connecting with our community’s seniors.”

The Ontario government’s investments this year will focus on virtual programs such as teleconferences, online videos, one-on-one phone calls to help seniors stay connected from home, and support projects such as:

• Seniors’ Centre Without Walls to create interactive telephone-based group programming for socially isolated seniors and people with disabilities
• Virtual physical fitness programming
• Online craft programs and delivery of pre-made craft kits to seniors
• Meal programs ranging from curbside pick up to door-to-door deliveries
• Online educational programs such as tax clinics, technology assistance, health and wellness, and COVID-19 information

This year’s ongoing funding supported the application of safety control measures against the spread of COVID-19, and provided more remote and virtual programming. These programs have also provided safe in-person programming when the local public health unit said it was safe to do so.

Seniors active living centre programs are a key initiative to help older adults stay healthy, active and socially connected within their own communities. 

Seniors active living centre operators are community-based and promote wellness and social interaction through almost 300 programs across the province.

The seniors’ population in Ontario is the fastest growing age group. By 2023, there will be three million Ontarians over the age of 65.