2010 Annual Report (PDF) - Parkdale Community Health Centre

Seniors Team
As in previous years, 2009 was full of activities for the seniors at
Parkdale Community Health Centre. The Parkdale Seniors Advisory
Committee was very busy overseeing our program planning and
delivery. Last year, the committee met six times and the result was a
series of inclusive and innovative seniors programming that reflected
the strong voices of our seniors. In addition the Seniors Cross Agency
Team (health promoter, chiropodist, primary care physician, medical
receptionist, South Asian Women’s Coordinator, nurse practitioner,
dietitian) worked to identify gaps and planned programs to respond
to seniors needs and to coordinate service delivery.
For the second year in a row we were proud to receive the New
Horizons for Seniors grant, which allowed us to implement
“Connecting through Music: an Intergenerational drumming group”,
the idea for which came directly from the Seniors Advisory Group.
We have been very pleased to witness the two generations united
in music. The group has been working very hard to prepare for
upcoming performances in the community, including our Annual
General Meeting in September. This is an example of our innovative
health promotion approach in addressing one of the most common
social determinants of health, social isolation.
This past year we continued to provide popular programs such as the
English Conversation Class which is open to all immigrant seniors
who have English as a second language. The program is well attended
and has made a difference in so many seniors’ lives. The weekly
Seniors Drop In is another program that has brought seniors together
to socialize, learn and have fun. Seniors have the opportunity to
engage in a variety of activities that promote their physical, mental and
emotional wellness. The Wellness Clinic has also been very successful.
It provides seniors with the opportunity to get health information on
a variety of health related topics. There is also a nurse available to do
blood pressure checks and provide health advice to seniors.
The Hearing Screening Clinics which happened twice last year, allowed
seniors to get in contact with the Canadian Hearing Society for their
auditory care. In Partnership with the Parkdale Golden Age Foundation
PCHC was able to deliver Tai Chi classes to seniors living on low
incomes. We were grateful to have the repeat sponsorship Tim
Horton’s in the form of a courtesy bus to take our seniors on a day
trip to visit the Bird Kingdom in the Niagara region.
On behalf of the Seniors Advisory Committee and the Seniors Cross
Agency Team, I would like to thank all the seniors who use our
services and attend our programs. Together we certainly transform our
mission statement “Strong Community. Better Lives Lives” into reality.
Parkdale Community Health Centre / Annual Report 2009/2010
21
Sandra Godoy, Health Promoter