EVENTS & workshops

DATE: OCT. 14 - 28, 2021  

These free Zoom sessions were designed to help older adults make decisions about planning, housing, and transportation as they age.

Topics included:

* Pathways to Ageing: How to get where we want to go

* Co-Housing and Home Share Arrangements

* Transportation Options for older Adults in Waterloo Region

* Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention 

This event was hosted by Community Justice Initiatives and the Cambridge Council on Aging. There were keynote speakers and a performance by Harmony Interactive Theater Troupe.  

DATE: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 

LOCATION: Toyota Room - 62 Dickson Street, Cambridge

Creative aging allows us to disrupt our aging by participating in arts programs that also allow us to engage with others while we master new skills. Creative aging is about possibilities and embracing the fact that as we age we continue to grow, learn and contribute to our communities. 

We are grateful to our sponsors: City of Cambridge, SPCCND, Chartwell and Housing Cambridge. and to The Blue Grass boys, with their amazing music and to Dr. Mitch Abrams, who led us through the mindfulness and music day. We had about 100 participants and we all went forth with a renewed sense of purpose. 

  DATE: June 4th, 2019 

LOCATION: Social Planning Council, 55 Dickson St

Dr. Mike Beazley, OlgaBaleca NP at the Cambridge Rapid Access walk-in centre, and Don Johnson addiction counsellor, Family Counseling CND. 80 persons attended this education seminar to learn about the current information available, and to find out where they can obtain more information ( links are posted on the CCOA website). Often older adults use multiple prescriptions and 72% also consume alcohol, talk to your pharmacist about the possible interactions, especially if you think you want to use recreational or medical cannabis.

DATE: November 26th, 2018

LOCATION: Wesley United Church 

Caring for a loved one can be fulfilling, challenging, isolating and so much more. Support groups or a quick conversation can make things easier. These Caregiver Support Information Sessions address the unique role and needs of caregivers, which run for four weeks. 

Topics include: reflections on aging, effective communication, and self-care. A caregiver is anyone who provides practical or emotional supports to a family member, friend or neighbour.

DATE: June 5th, 2018

LOCATION: Cambridge City Hall

Cambridge Council on Aging, CMHC, Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries held a roundtable discussion to explore options and best practices.

Contributors were Greg Bechard ED of Elmira Community Living, on the good neighbour project in Elmira, Heather Thompson, Manager of age-friendly initiatives on Home Share and Steve Garrison on Housing Cambridge's efforts to keep older adults housed and engaged.

A fruitful discussion on how Cambridge can develop options was held and further steps were recognized.

 DATE: March 27th, 2018

This event cosponsored by CCOA, Housing Cambridge, Social Planning CND and Cambridge self hself-helpelp food bank was attended by 170 people - half were older adults, half were organizations providing services to seniors.

Various programs from Halton, Hamilton and the Cambridge area were discussed and a presentation was made by Rachel Weldrick a PhD student at McMaster.

Social isolation and loneliness are not new, but much more extensive, less family contact, less neighbourhood involvement, more of an issue if you have health issues, lose a spouse or speak another language.

Peer mentor/connector programs work well but need sustainable funding, and we need more intergenerational opportunities.