Senior’s Program

Seniors Activity Centre

Fundamental requisites for aging with dignity include adequate income, decent housing, preventative health services, and reasonable opportunities for social interaction and development of an individuals social support network.

Yet achieving these for a segment of the senior population and vulnerable adults depends on decisions and choices that are not controlled by the individual themselves. They are heavily dependent on public policy decisions.

Over time and through conversations, we have learned that our senior clients arrive and live in the shelter for a variety of reasons. They may have health and medical concerns; they may have a mental illness; they may lack the finances to live on their own, and / or they may be experiencing addictions. Some senior clients are unable to secure medical care which can result in homelessness. Increasingly many seniors are affected by poverty. Rising costs of living in Calgary, without commensurate increases in income supports or pensions have forced many seniors out of housing. The DI is currently home to 161 men and women over the age of 60 years.

The Seniors Activity Centre is open to DI and community residents.

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Hours of Operation

• Monday to Friday (8:00 am – 3:30 pm) – 1 Dermot Baldwin Way SE. Second Floor, Old DI Building

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When the numbers of clients on the first and second floor grow to a point where it is difficult to speak or think, the Seniors Activity Centre, located on the second floor of the Old DI, is a quiet, welcoming place for clients over the age of 50.

The Seniors Activity Centre offers a place for socializing by playing cards, assembling puzzles, reading, watching television and movies and access to a computer lab. Coffee and lunch are also offered to the seniors. Those seniors wishing for a little more excitement can participate in off-site trips to the zoo and the museum, just to name a few.

The coordinator of Senior’s programming provides the following services and supports:

• Meeting with each senior to better understand their respective needs
• Providing assistance in accessing proper medical attention
• Exploring different means of improving financial situations
• Encouraging a peer support network
• Creating opportunities for volunteer work
• Assisting with the completion of forms related to government and other agencies (ie. AISH applications, Income Tax)
• Building relationships and encouraging trust

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