Seniors

Keeping Seniors Active in their Community

Photo: Veronica Henri

The Situation

As we age, we are increasingly vulnerable to poor health, depression and poverty. A spouse dies, children move far away and suddenly frailty, illness or disability leaves us isolated in our homes. The struggle to maintain dignity and independence can be overwhelming.

All of us would like to maintain our independence as long as possible. But the demand for homecare is rising as our population ages – and we're also facing cuts to funding for these services. The shift from hospital care to community care as a result of hospital restructuring is also hitting seniors hard. With fewer beds and shorter hospital stays, homecare services are being redirected to acutely ill patients at home, leaving many seniors to struggle with the demands of daily life alone.

The Facts

  • Seniors as a percentage of the total city population increased to 14.1% in 2006 from 13.6% in 2001.
  • Senior women (65+) constitute the fastest growing segment of the female population and have a low-income rate twice as high as that of senior men. 72% of women 65+ have housing affordability problems (2007).
  • Almost one in five seniors (19.4%) in the Toronto area live below Statistics Canada's low-income cutoff (2004).
  • Of all Canadian cities, Toronto has the second highest number of senior-led households in core housing need (inadequate, unsuitable or unaffordable) (2002).
  • Roughly one in every four seniors in Toronto lives alone (2001).

United Way Support

United Way funds 47 agencies that provide services for seniors like homecare, respite for caregivers, recreational programs, meals on wheels and more.

In 2004, United Way agencies served 158,000 participants in seniors programs. Our agencies enabled 41,000 senior participants to live independently with personal care (bathing, dressing), homemaking services (laundry, cleaning) and home visits to frail elderly people living alone. United Way support also created the opportunity for 25,000 senior participants to attend day programs with exercise classes, outings, crafts, games and recreational activities, keeping them active and engaged in the community.

Support United Way and you'll support people like Nic Calanglang

"Socializing is the best way for seniors to maintain health and happiness."

- Anna Wai

Anna Wai loves life. She is the organizer of The Joy Luck Club at The North York Senior Centre, a United Way agency, and Anna is fiercely dedicated to her charges. The Joy Luck Club is a way for Chinese-speaking seniors to come together to enjoy each other's company and celebrate Chinese culture and language.

Anna Wai has been volunteering at the Centre since 1998 and she loves finding new activities such as Chinese line dancing and karaoke for The Joy Luck Club. She explains that socializing is the best way for seniors to maintain health and happiness. "Love is the most important thing," Anna says.

Adapted from an article in The Toronto Sun by Serena Willoughby, September 23, 2004.

How your dollars make an impact

$126 enables two seniors to attend a day program with therapeutic, social and recreational programs and nutritious meals, keeping them active and engaged in the community.

$350 allows a senior to live independently with three hours a week of home support (homemaking and personal care) for a month.

$600 offers respite to two seniors caring for a frail elderly spouse at home, giving caregivers a much-needed break one afternoon a week for a month.

$1,196 offers community dining twice a week for a year to a frail, isolated senior, giving her an opportunity to get out and socialize with others.

With your generosity, United Way agencies can offer seniors valuable programs and services to assist them in leading an active and independent life.

Your donation creates lasting change by supporting:

  • Meals on wheels and nutrition programs
  • Homecare
  • Outreach to isolated seniors
  • Respite for caregivers of a frail, ill or disabled senior
  • Social and recreational day programs and fitness classes

Download the brochure: Keeping Seniors Active in their Community (pdf - 123 KB).