Saanich Parks and Recreation Older Adults Strategy - Update Fall 2019
Saanich Parks and Recreation Older Adults Strategy 2017-2022 was approved by Saanich Council in June of 2017. In 2019 Council approved the full funding requests to implement the actions and proposed goals of the strategy.
Please open the Older Adults Strategy Final Report to review the findings, priorities, and proposed goals and actions for the years 2017-2022.
What’s happening and what's new:
View our new Older Adult Guide, CONNECTIONS, with information on financial assistance, trasnportation, low cost programs and more.
Join us at G.R. Pearkes on Tuesday, March 10 for exhibits, entertainment, fashion show, door prizes and more. Cllick here for a 2 for 1 Coupon. More information
Join us on the second Saturday of every month for an afternoon movie with friends. Free for everyone but registration is required. Minimum of 5 participants required to run the show. Hope to see you there! Movie information for March can be found here
It is that time of year again. If you are a low income older adult, Saanich Volunteer Services will be offering free tax clinics at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre beginning March 2nd until April 29th on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. 12:30-3:30pm. To register contact Saanich Volunteer Services at 250-595-8008. Click here for more information.
Speaker Series
On the 4th Saturday of each month, the Cedar Hill Social Club hosts a Speaker Series for members and non-members. Upcoming topics include the following:
January 25: Marijuana for Medical Purposes, Andrea Silver of Heart Pharmacy
February 22: ICBC Drive Smart: Mature Driving, Colleen Woodger ICBC
March 28: Balance and Fall Presentation, Corinne Dibert
Cedar Hill Social Club members are free and non-members pay $5. Registration is encouraged.
The new schedule is out. New Recipes all the time!
Don't wait, space is limited. Click here for more information
Programming
Older Adult Assistant Card
If balance, mobility or other impairments prevent you from participating, do not stop your favourite activity, here is a new option. This new card allows an older adult who requires assistance in a drop-in program, fitness class or registered program to bring another person to help them at no extra cost. The application for a card can be found at any Saanich Recreation centre, or click here for more information
Voices in Motion Choir
Discover the huge benefits of choral singing for those with memory loss as well as for all older adults and inspired youth. Youth and older adults will both discover empathy towards the other generation, and will build friendships through singing alongside each other. Bring a friend or caregiver or join on your own and sing alongside others in the same journey. The choir will be instructed by a professional music director, and will have weekly rehearsals and multiple public concert opportunities. Youth are free of charge. Subsidies can be arranged for adults where finances are a barrier. All costs for music sheets included. Click here for more information.
Gordon Head Recreation Centre
Tuesday 1:30 - 3:00pm
Quiet Times in pools and weight rooms
All Centres now have designated times in their weightrooms when no music will be played. Cedar Hill – every morning until 10:00am and Wed evenings, Gordon Head – M/W/F 9-10am and Saturdays 7:30-3:00pm. Scheduled waterfit and swim lessons have been adjusted to avoid crowded changerooms. Cick here for schedules.
More staff in Weightrooms to assist older adults in skill development – new this fall will be free weightroom orientation times in all recreation centres. Appointments are required but are free of charge. Staff will take you around the weightroom and teach you how to use the machines and weights. See the Active Living Guide for times.
The Respite Program at Commonwealth has received permanent funding – the pilot respite program has received permanent funding from Island Health which ensures the continuation of this important program. The program name has changed to Seniors Social and Movement Class.
Try Before You Buy
We heard that adults wanted opportunities to try a class before registered for a complete session. This past fall we had a number of classes older adults can “try before buying”. Some programs are one day, others are complete sessions. Programs are free of charge but pre-registration is mandatory – no drop ins as space is limited. Click here for schedules.
Age Friendly Spaces
The Parks department was able to obtain a grant to upgrade the walkway from Feltham Road to Gordon Head Recreation Centre. The long entry into the recreation centre now has a safe, paved walkway with clear lines directly from the bus stop all the way to the reception lobby, as well as a paved walkway to Recreation Integration office.
A new pilot project started at Commonwealth Place in the fall of 2019. A Welcome kiosk was situated in the lobby and staffed with volunteers at peak times. The Welcome Ambassadors are be available to direct participants to rooms, answer questions regarding registration and programs, give facility tours and help to create a welcoming space. Interested in becoming an Ambassador? Click here.
Collaboration
New policies and procedures have been completed through the Intermunicipal Health and Recreation Partnership Committee so health professionals can access recreation facilities throughout Victora. The procedures allow Island Health therapists to visit weightrooms with clients for a limited time in order for them to orient their clients to the space and transition them into a self-managed program. Saanich staff can assist clients after therapists have completed their orientation.
The Neighbours Engaging in Activities Together (NEAT) funding continues into 2020. This intermunicipal initiative has been funded through Island Health’s Community Wellness grant and has been offered in Oak Bay, Saanich, Victoria and Sidney. Saanich held two 12 week sessions at locations in the Royal Oak and Cloverdale areas.
The NEAT program is intended to reach potentially isolated adults in their place of residence, help them to meet their neighbours and introduce them to recreation and leisure programs. Island Health Recreation Therapists teach leisure education and accessibility skills in the initial weeks, participants then choose activities to try. Saanich Recreation coordinates the activities and orients them to all activities that are available to them. If you know of an apartment building or site that has interested residents, call Julie Wallace at 250-475-5408.
