Chapter 10

Elder Care Canada - Senior's Across Canada

Defining the Issue:

One of the biggest concerns facing seniors is the feeling of lonliness ...

For that reason we have compiled a comprehensive list of Senior's Associations found across Canada ...

Discussion:

People are social by nature but as Canadians get older their social networks can start to narrow.  There are many reasons for this.  Retirement can end work relationships and we lose touch with friends that we've found over the years. Relatives and friends become ill or pass away.  Our children grow up and move away.  when these things happen to elders the result can be feeling of loneliness.  Sometimes this can turn into depression or despair and could get a lot more complicated if these problems are combined with the drugs or alcohol abuse.

"Facing Lonliness As You Get Older", authored by the Calgary Health Region (Click Here) offers great tips to help prevent loneliness:

• Try to create opportunities for meaningful contact with other people.
• Nurture at least one close relationship with family or friends (where you feel emotionally connected and supported/can trust and can confide in the other person).
• Try to develop a network of friends and family rather than depending on only one or two.
• Think about joining groups or taking part in activities with others who share common interests.
• Remember, interactions with others don't have to be face-to-face to be meaningful--stay in touch with family and friends using other methods such as telephone, letters or e-mail.
• Spend time with a pet or think about getting a pet if you don't already have one. Keep in mind that taking care of a pet is a big responsibility and commitment. The benefits of having a pet for people living alone have been well documented.
• Think about joining a group to plan, shop, and cook meals, or eat out rather than eating alone.
• Explore the volunteer opportunities in your neighbourhood/city. Reaching out to help others who are in need or who are lonely can help to prevent you from getting lonely.
• Maintain connections with your spiritual community or consider becoming involved in one if this feels right for you.
• Mentor a young person to help them learn and grow.
• Look into housing options that allow for more contact with others.
• Think about going back to school.
• Join a fitness class that is appropriate for your level of physical ability.
• If you're feeling lonely, yet find it hard to get out and get involved with others, ask yourself if you might be suffering from depression. Depression can take away your desire to do the things you used to enjoy, and keeps you from enjoying life to the fullest. Don't suffer in silence--see your doctor.
• If you have trouble developing and maintaining positive relationships with others, take some steps to learn more about effective communication skills by reading, taking courses or seeing a counsellor.

In this chapter most of the content will focus on the Resource section. If you are reading this book you have the expertise to be online.  There are many associations online today dealing with Seniors.  This will be out attempt to connect you with Seniors across Canada.  We've made good friends online and hope you are able to use the resources below to do the same ... good luck!

Resources:

Click Here - Canada's Association for the 50 Plus

 Click Here - Canadian website providing unique content, community and commerce for people over the age of 50

Older Adult Centres' Association of Ontario - Click Here - has a membership of 110 - centres, organizations and individuals involved in working with older adults. Over 80 older adult centres represent 300 staff and 100,000 older adults across Ontario.  Ensures that older adults in Ontario have opportunities and choices that lead to healthy and active lifestyles.

Senior Centres in Ontario - Click Here - A comprehensive listing of Senior Centres across the province

Quebec - Click Here - Quebec Association of Senior Centres

Manitoba Society of Seniors - Click Here - The Manitoba Society of Seniors Inc. was started by a group of older Manitobans in 1979 who
felt there was a need for a united voice on issues affecting them.

Senior Centres in Manitoba - Click Here - A comprehensive listing of Centres across the province

NWT Seniors' Society - Click Here - The NWT Seniors' Society is a non-profit group established in 1983. We provide information and act as a resource for seniors and elders across the NWT.

PEI Senior Centres/Clubs - Click Here - A complete listing of Senior Centres across the Island

50Plus New Brunswick - Click Here - Provides information about resources and activities of interest to New Brunswick's fifty-plus crowd.

Gerontology Association of Nova Scotia - Click Here - "dedicated to improving the well-being of Nova Scotia seniors"

Seniors Resource Centre Association of Newfoundland and Labrador - Click Here - As an association, it is dedicated to promoting the independence and well being of older adults in Newfoundland and Labrador through the provision of information as well as various programs and services.

Saskatchewan Gerontology Association - Click Here - The Saskatchewan Gerontology Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating theoretical and practical understanding of the aging population through education and research in order to strengthen policy and practise in gerontology.

Saskatchewan Aboriginal Elder/Outreach Program - Click Here - Initiatives involving Aboriginal Elders and Community Workers

Alberta Seniors Associations and Clubs - Click Here - Information services, Financial Assistance, Housing support programs ... and more

Alberta 55Plus - Click Here - The Association believes that sport and recreation development for seniors is a provincial issue.  It stands for the idea of a fuller, healthier, more vital future; for the straightforward steps that can be taken towards that future.

British Columbia - Click Here - A comprehensive list of Senior Centres across the province