News

Ontario Keeping Seniors Safe and Socially Connected in Nipissing

Supporting seniors provincewide with virtual programming during COVID-19

NIPISSING – Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is investing $163,266 to support four Seniors Active Living Centre programs in the District of Nipissing. 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.

“These challenging times have created obstacles for seniors in our area from having the quality of life they deserve,” said MPP Fedeli. “Local Seniors Active Living Centre programming will provide support for older adults and their well-being by keeping them active and socially connected within their own communities.”

Seniors Active Living Centre programs receiving funding for the 2020-21 year include:

• $54,014.41 for The Municipality of East Ferris/Club Action 50+
• $54,014.41 for The North Bay Golden Age Club
• $44,637.79 for The Mattawa Seniors Citizen Club
• $10,600.00 for The Callander Royal Canadian Legion/Branch 445

“Once again we are proud to host a Seniors Active Living Centre at our Legion Branch. We continue to host seniors from Callander and the surrounding areas for events such as lunches, dinners, darts, shuffleboard, pool as well as free access to computers and the internet,” said Marc Picard, President of the Callander Legion. “During the pandemic closures, we were able to quickly adapt and offer our seniors with take-out meals and in some cases our volunteers delivered the meals to their homes.”

“The Municipality of East Ferris welcomes this funding announcement. We thank MPP Fedeli and the Ontario government for their support of our community’s Seniors Active Living Centre,” said Pauline Rochefort, Mayor of East Ferris. “We are grateful for Club Action 50+, and in particular Club President Lyne Way-White for her dynamic leadership, in overseeing timely virtual services to older adults in East Ferris.”

“Our club appreciates this funding from the Ontario government,” said Michel Lavigne, President of the Mattawa Senior Citizen Club. “This funding allows us to continue communicating with our members and offer supports when needed.”

This year’s investment 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:

• Interactive telephone-based group programming for socially isolated seniors and people with disabilities
• Online educational programs such as tax clinics, technology assistance, health and wellness, and COVID-19 information
• Take out meals, tablet rentals and live streamed music nights.

This year’s ongoing funding has supported the application of safety control measures against the spread of COVID-19, and provided more remote and virtual programming.
Our government remains committed to the safety, independence and well-being of Ontario’s seniors and supporting Seniors Active Living Centre programs.

QUICK FACTS

• 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 3 million Ontarians over the age of 65.
• Active aging brings positive health benefits, including helping to keep seniors out of the hospital.
• The Seniors’ Centre Without Walls Micro-Grants program funded by the province through the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario helps seniors stay connected to their communities through telephone-based social and educational programs.
• The Seniors’ Centre Without Walls model is a free interactive telephone-based group program for socially isolated seniors and people with disabilities who find it difficult to leave their homes.