Expanding services for seniors

Vaughan receives grants to deliver programs and services for older adults

Supporting the health and well-being of seniors is a priority for the City of Vaughan, and, with two Seniors Community Fund grants from the Ontario Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility, the City will be offering more opportunities that encourage greater social inclusion and engagement from Vaughan’s older adult community.

Here is all you need to know:

Aging Well in the City of Vaughan

The City recently received two Seniors Community Grants. The first one, valued at $25,000, is supporting the launch of a new project called Aging Well in the City of Vaughan. The initiative will be delivered by the City’s Recreation Services department in partnership with York Regional Police (YRP) and Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS). The goal is to help eliminate the negative effects of social isolation among older adults through engaging and educational seniors’ programs.

Two lunch and learn workshops on how to prevent elder abuse will be delivered throughout March in partnership with YRP. Light refreshments will be provided; pre-registration is not required. The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, March 8

12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Maple Community Centre (gymnasium)

Wednesday, March 22

12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Chancellor Community Centre (gymnasium)

Topics for both sessions will include the following:

• Frauds and scams – types of frauds affecting seniors, prevention tips and resources
• Crime prevention – vehicle safety, theft prevention and personal safety
• Elder abuse – what is elder abuse, recognizing signs of abuse and where to get help

Two additional lunch and learn workshops on fire prevention for seniors will be delivered in partnership with VFRS. Sessions will take place on the following dates:

Tuesday, March 21

12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Dufferin Clark Community Centre (activity rooms 3 and 4)

Tuesday, March 28

12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Father E. Bulfon Community Centre (gymnasium)

Topics for both sessions will include:

• Barbecue and cooking tips
• Electrical safety
• Fireworks
• Fire tips for smokers
• Fuel-burning appliances, chimneys, chimineas and outdoor fires
• Laundry room
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

For more information, visit vaughan.ca/recreation.

Vaughan Public Libraries Memory Lab

The second grant, valued at nearly $5,000, will support Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) to expand its Memory Lab, which helps bridge the digital divide between older adults and technology. This program provides seniors with the tools and training to digitize older media, such as slides and home movies on VHS, and preserve them for future enjoyment. This initiative is currently available at Woodbridge Library. The grant will fund additional Memory Labs at Maple Library and Dufferin Clark Library to better serve the community. Visit vaughanpl.info for more information.

In 2022, Council approved the City’s Age-Friendly Community Action Plan (PDF), which was developed under the guidance of the City’s Older Adult Task Force. The task force’s mandate was to make recommendations on implementing action items related to the City’s Older Adult Strategy, including exploring opportunities to move towards an age-friendly community and the promotion of healthy seniors.

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