Demographic trends are clear: our population is aging. Are you ready to meet the needs of this growing demographic? Learn about programs, services and best practices designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors in affordable housing.

1. Quality Of Life in Senior’s
Housing , “Building on our
Strengths”.

2. My Role
 Is to support the residents living in Public
Housing . To Enhance the
services, management and general
physical standards of family and senior
housing projects, to reduce social
isolation and dependency of residents
and to promote opportunities for residents
to achieve a greater degree of self
sufficiency and housing mobility.

3. Social Development Senior
Buildings
 SD, operate and maintain 5 senior
buildings in Saint John;
 Charlton Place…..103 residents
 Stephenson Tower….100 residents
 Brunswick Dr…..96 residents
 Smythe Street…..79 residents
 Danell’s Dr….30 residents

4. The Current Situation
 Between 2011 and 2031 all members of
the baby boom generation (people born
between 1946 and 1965), will turn 65. As a
result , both the number and proportion of
seniors in the population will climb. The
Atlantic Provinces currently have the
highest proportions of seniors (ranging
from 15% to 16%. In Saint John
approximately 17% of residents are over
the age of 65 out of the total population.
1-Health care in Canada: a focus on seniors
and aging – Canadian institute for health
information 2011
2-statistics Canada:Census Profile (2011)
2
1

5. Current and Projected
Proportions of Seniors

6. Benefits of Supporting Seniors
Investing in healthy aging initiatives for seniors also have wide ranging
social and economic benefits.
Approximately 69% of older Canadians provide one or more types of
assistance to spouses, children, grandchildren, friends and neighbours.
Older people provide a wealth of experience, knowledge, continuity,
support and love to younger generations. In addition, civil society
programs benefit from
the voluntary contributions of a large and growing number of retired
seniors with valuable
knowledge and skills.
3-National Advisory Council on Aging
(NACA) (2001)
4 –Ibid
4
3

7. Community Resources
 Over the next 20 years the provinces
population will age faster than the rest of
Canada. To support this shift it will be
important to build an age friendly
city/community that promotes active aging.
Given that most of Saint John’s seniors live
independently in the community and want to
remain there , this will require a shift in priorities
away from treatment and care and towards
health promotion, prevention, healthy aging
and community support.
5
The world health organization (wlto)
developed the global age - friendly cities
project (2006)

8. 4 Pillars of Wellness
 Mental Fitness and Resilience
 Healthy Eating
 Physical Activity (sitting is the new
smoking)
 Tobacco Free Living

9. Joke

10. Exploring Community
Resources
“Building on Our Strengths”

11. Quote
 "Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed people can
change the world. Indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead.

12. Local School’s (S.K.I.P.)
Senior’s and Kids
Intergenerational Program

Kids and seniors
Halloween Party

13. Local Churches
 Provide Monthly Birthday Parties For
Seniors
 Knitting Groups

14. Knitting Group

15. UNBSJ Nursing Program
 We usually receive (6-8) 4th year Nursing
Students from UNBSJ each Fall. We place
2 students in each Senior building and
they do everything from blood pressure
clinics to ice cream socials! We have the
students for 4 months every year. The
added support for the seniors is most
welcomed and appreciated.

16. Nursing Students

17. Y’s Men (Casino Night)
 Provide a casino
night for the seniors
to enjoy!
 Free of charge
 Lots of fun!

18. City of Saint John
 Community Policing (Self defence
workshops)
 Senior Coordinator
 *Senior Christmas Dance
 *Spring Flings/Socials
 * Cards
 * 5o+ Friendship Games

19. Christmas Dance

20. Joke

21. Canada Revenue Agency
(CRA)
 Offers FREE income tax clinics in our 5
Senior Buildings in March.

22. Saint John Free Public Library
 Offers Book Clubs in our Senior Buildings.
 Offers, “Meet the Author,” of a book the
seniors have read . Hosts this event at the
Library.
 “The Town That Drowned” by Riel Nason

23. Book Clubs

24. Fundy Wellness Network
 Supports Senior’s Events/Activities
 Promote Activities
 Provide volunteers for events
 Some funding opportunity
 www.fundywellness.ca/about.html

25. Province of NB (Healthy and
Inclusive Communities)
 Food Action Grants
 * Supper Clubs
 * Greenhouse
 * Raised beds
 Senior Goodwill Ambassador Program
 Toll Free number for seniors to call if they
need help
 1-855-550-0552

26. Supper Clubs

27. Supper Clubs

28. Community Gardens
Stephen Park
Community Garden Planting Day

29. Community Gardens
Stephen Park
Garden It’s Growing!

30. Go Ahead Senior’s
Go Ahead Seniors Inc. is a
provincial, bilingual, non-profit
organization incorporated in 1996. It
offers educational sessions for the
50Plus population in New Brunswick.
The program is aimed at
helping New Brunswick older adults
make more informed choices about
their health and well
being through health
education, personal empowerment
and prevention.

31. Music In the Park
 Outdoor concerts offered in two
communities. One being held in a senior
complex. 6 different entertainers are
coming to perform at Brunswick Dr. free
of charge for an hour but usually stay
close to 2 hours. People from all over the
area come and bring their lawn chairs.

32. Community Health Center
Food Purchase Club
Dietitian (workshops)
Pharmacists
Social Worker

33. Food Purchase Club

34. Bus Adventure (Apple Picking)
Yearly Bus trip to
Gagetown
Enjoying a freshly
picked apple

35. Senior Wellness Fair

36. Blood Pressure Clinic at the
Wellness Fair

37. Wellness Fair Exhibitors

38. Tenant Associations
 Elected Executive made up of a
President, Vice-President, Treasurer and
Secretary.
 Run by established by-laws
 Receive yearly Tenant Grant to operate
 Support their fellow residents by putting
on activities , workshops and social events
in their community rooms.
 Monthly Calendars

39. ◄ March ~ April 2014 ~ May ►
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Exercise 10:00am
S.K.I.P. 2:00
Popcorn and a movie 7:00
2
Knitting1-3
3
Walking6:30
4
Book Club 10:00am
5
BINGO 6:00pm
6
Darts 6:30
7
WiiBowling 1-3
Walking6:30
8
Exercise 10:00am
S.K.I.P. 2:00
Popcorn and a movie 7:00
9
Knitting1-3
10
Cake Day 2:00pm
Walking6:30
11
Place Food Purchase Club Order
with Sharon 653-8266
12
BINGO 6:00pm
13
Darts 6:30
14
WiiBowling 1-3
Walking6:30
15
Exercise 10:00am
S.K.I.P. 2:00
Popcorn and a movie 7:00
16
Knitting1-3
17
Easter Tea
12:00pm
Walking6:30
18 19
BINGO 6:00pm
20
Darts 6:30
21
WiiBowling 1-3
Walking6:30
22
Exercise 10:00am
S.K.I.P. 2:00
Popcorn and a movie 7:00
23
Knitting1-3
General meeting7:00pm
24
Walking6:30
25
Food Purchase Club
9:00am. Pick up orders
26
BINGO 6:00pm
27
Darts 6:30
28
Wii Bowling 1-3
Supper Club 1:00pm
Walking6:30
29
Exercise 10:00am
S.K.I.P. 2:00
Popcorn and a movie 7:00
30
Knitting1-3
Notes:
BOOK CLUB DATE…TBA

40. Tenant Association Events

41. Quote
 Practicing positive lifestyle behaviours can
help seniors live more years
independently and in good health. Even
modest rates of physical activity have
been shown to stave off functional
declines in people with osteoarthritis.
Appropriate physical activity also helps
with pain management. 6
Healthy aging in Canada: a new vision, a
vital investment from evidence to action-
healthy aging and wellness working group of
the federal/provinical/territorial (F/P/T)
committee of officicals (seniors) 2006

42. YMCA
 Exercise classes offered in the senior
buildings
 Fitness Instructors available for workshops
 Wellness Fair Participants
 New YMCA being built close to 2 senior
buildings

43. Grants
 New Horizons for Seniors Programs
 Food Action Grants
 Family Literacy Grants
 United Way (Day of Caring)
 Fundy Wellness Network

44. Debbie McLeod
Community Involvement
Coordinator with Social
Development-Housing
658-5159 (Office)
647-1013 (Cell)
Debbie.mcleod@gnb.ca

45. Questions??