Many municipal and community organizations have created or adapted programs and supports for older adults during COVID-19. If you or your organization have a program you would like to share, please send us a message at wellbeingwr@regionofwaterloo.ca.
View informative posters from Waterloo Wellington Older Adult Strategy. Feel free to use these posters for your own information, or share them through social media.
Community Supports and Resources for Older Adults- General Information
The Cambridge Council on Aging has created a document which lists resources and information to help older adults stay connected and well during the pandemic. The document is available here.
The City of Kitchener has compiled a list of food, transportation, and health supports that older adults may access at this time. The document is available here.
Technology and Virtual Supports
The Bits and Bytes computer club offers virtual group or individual technology training programs. The Bits and Bytes Computer Club hosts ongoing monthly virtual events including speakers’ meetings, computer “drop-in” support, and presentations on a variety of technology.
Technology Training and Lending Library helps older adults in the Kitchener community to access technology and training programs tailored for older adults. Tablets or Chromebooks with or without cellular service, will be available for borrowing for up to a month.
For more information or to register for technology training or the lending library contact Sandy Hrubik at 519-741-2200 ext.5079 (TTY 1-866-969-9994) or by email at sandy.hrubik@kitchener.ca.
Staying Connected
WOW Waterloo is a Seniors’ Centre Without Walls telephone program that brings social, recreational and educational programs to seniors in Waterloo or the surrounding community. Enjoy guests speakers, learn new skills and engage in friendly conversations with other seniors in your community. To register for WOW Waterloo call 519-579-1020 ext. 10037 (TTY 1-866-786-3941).
Kitchener Connections is a free interactive telephone-based program, offered Monday through Friday, gives older adults the opportunity to stay connected from the comfort of their homes. Themes for participants include fun activities, health and wellness topics and much more. Each month a new calendar will highlight upcoming activities. To register for Kitchener Connections call (519) 741-2382 (TTY 1-866-969-9994).
Rock Solid Connections is an interactive, Zoom-based, social and recreational program that aims to keep older adults active and engaged in their community while at home. Programs include guitar jams, adult coloring and a weekly social coffee chat. There is no charge to participate but registration is required by emailing brenda.vandekeere@kitchener.ca or by calling Rockway Centre at 519-741-2507 (TTY 1-866-969-9994).
The Connected @ Home Program assists older adults in staying active and connected while at home. The City of Kitchener is delivering curated activity boxes and kits to your front door. To further support social connections, individuals receiving the activity boxes will be encouraged to join weekly teleconferences or Zoom programs. For more information about this program or to register, please call 519-741-2916 (TTY 1-866-969-9994) or email andrea.klein@kitchener.ca.
The Grand Connections Letter Writing Program connects younger residents and our older neighbours through electronic letters, cards, artwork and messages of hope that City staff will share with an older adult in our community during their regular social support calls and other programs. To submit your messages, visit the Grand Connections page on the City’s website or mail them to:
Grand Connections Program
c/o Downtown Community Centre
35B Weber Street West
Kitchener, ON. N2H 3Z1
Reassurance Calls
Trained volunteers are placing regular phone calls to older adults. These reassurance calls can be a quick chat to check-in about physical and emotional well-being, referrals to available community supports, or just a friendly conversation. Reassurance call programs are based on your city of residence.
Click here for more information about the City of Waterloo’s reassurance call program.
Click here for more information about the City of Kitchener’s reassurance call program.
Waterloo at Home
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change the way we live, the City of Waterloo is pleased to launch Waterloo At Home, an online curation of helpful tips and resources for residents to make the best of their time at home. Visit the Engage Waterloo platform.
Exercise and Activity
Staying Healthy and Well is a series of activities throughout the Spring hosted by the City of Waterloo. All sessions are via Zoom and require preregistration. To register, please call 519-888-6356 or visit this link.
WOW Social will provide many of the activities, support services and programs typically offered through the City of Cambridge’s 50+ recreation centres using simple phone technology instead. The program enables recreation staff to bring groups of older adults together to socialize, exercise, learn, and have fun.
Sessions will be offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and are 30 to 45 minutes in duration.
Virtual Classes with City of Kitchener’s Active At Home programs were inspired by some of the most popular registered programs at Rockway Centre including: Strength training, flexercise, shair yoga, stretch classes, stability ball, and memoir writing.
To learn more about these programs or to register visit Active Net or contact Rockway Centre at 519-741-2507 (TTY 1-866-969-9994).
