Senior services

Help local seniors keep their place tidy!

Our Senior Services division is looking for part-time brokered home help workers to provide clients with home cleaning. A brokered worker is an independent contractor paid directly by the client. An interview, references and a Vulnerable Sector police check is required.

-$20/hr, weekday hours in Waterloo
-cleaning experience and own vehicle
-1 year+ commitment preferred

Email heather.willemsen@waterloo.ca with your resume or for more information.

to arrive by car, enter the east entrance from Father David Bauer Drive
to arrive by bus, use Route 5 ERB or Route 12 WESTMOUNT buses
the walking distance to the WMRC east entrance from the nearest bus stops are 350 metres from the stop on the north side of Erb Street and 370 metres from the stop on the south side of Erb Street

Leisure programs

Drop-in leisure activities are available at the Community Pavilion.

billiards, cards, knitting, and arts and crafts now in progress
wood carving and ukulele will resume in Fall 2022

Getting there:

to arrive by car, enter the west entrance from Father David Bauer Drive and follow the laneway under the new pedestrian bridge to reach a parking area closest to the Community Pavilion entrance.
to arrive by bus, use Route 5 ERB or Route 12 WESTMOUNT buses
the walking distance to the Community Pavilion from the nearest bus stops are 341 metres from the stop on the north side of Erb Street and 377 metres from the stop on the south side of Erb Street

Call customer service at 519-579-1020 or email Leisureprogramming@waterloo.ca for schedule information.

Senior day program

We provide a variety of group activities for those 55+ and living with a chronic illness, physical disability or memory loss.

Programs run Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Community Pavilion. The cost is $17 per day. Subsidies are available if necessary.

Referrals can be made through Community Care at 519-310-2222, or you can register directly with us at 519-579-6930 or TTY (for deaf) 1-866-786-3941. There is a waitlist for this service.

Home support services

We provide a number of support services to assist vulnerable older adults to live safely and remain active. Depending on the service, it may take one day to several months to complete registration.

Three course lunches

Enjoy a delicious three course meal Monday to Friday at noon at the Community Pavilion.

We make accommodations for special dietary needs. Clients must book one business day in advance. $8/meal.

All meals are served with vegetable and salad, and include one cup of tea or coffee. All meals can be made to accommodate individual dietary requirements. Menus are posted weekly on Mondays in the front lobby.

Sample menus

potato leek soup, baked ham, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, salad, butter tart
vegetable beef soup, breaded haddock, mashed potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower salad, cooked carrots, chocolate zucchini cake
tomato soup, shepherd’s pie, Caesar salad, orange cake
sweet potato soup, chicken thigh, rice, mixed vegetables, salad, pumpkin pie
cream of broccoli soup, sausage, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, pudding

Grocery shopping

Getting your grocery shopping done can be a challenge. Our volunteers can assist you in the store or list shop on your behalf. $10/shopping trip.

Home maintenance

Maintenance workers can assist with seasonal work, including lawn care, snow removal and minor repairs. The cost is $20/hour. If workers uses their own equipment the rate is $25.00/hour.

Services are provided by a brokered worker that operates as an independent contractor paid directly by the client. Brokered workers are screened by Senior Services staff prior to being matched with clients. Services arrangements are made between the client and brokered worker.

Homemaking

Dependable homemakers help with household tasks, including cleaning, laundry and meal preparation.

You will have a standing appointment with the same homemaker, scheduled weekly, bi-weekly or every four weeks.

Cost is $20/hour.

There is a waiting list for service.

Telephone reassurance

When you live alone, loneliness and personal safety are issues. Our trained volunteers can call from Monday to Friday to check in and give you and your family peace of mind. This service is free.

Rides

Free transportation to vaccination clinics for older adults (65+), and adults with unique needs is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Individuals who live in the city of Waterloo and have a scheduled vaccination appointment can contact a Care Facilitator with Home Support Services at 519-579-6930 to complete a short intake questionnaire and arrange for transportation.
Same-day transportation is not available. Available drivers and vehicles may be limited, passengers are encouraged to call to schedule transportation as soon as they have confirmed their vaccine appointment.
Vehicles are not wheelchair accessible, however they can safely accommodate walking devices such as walkers and canes. Passengers should be able to get into and out of the vehicle independently to promote safe physical distancing whenever possible.
All passengers will undergo active COVID-19 screening prior to their pick up, and are requested to wear a face covering for the duration of the trip.

General ride service

This service provides rides to medical appointments, activities and grocery shopping. Book your trained volunteer driver at least two business days in advance.

The cost is $5 for a one-way ride in Waterloo; rates outside of Waterloo vary depending on the location.

We are unable to accommodate wheelchairs or rides to day programs. For accessible transportation, please contact Mobility Plus.

WOW Waterloo

WOW is a Seniors’ Centre Without Walls telephone program that brings social, recreational and educational programs to seniors. Enjoy guests speakers, learn new skills and engage in friendly conversations with other seniors in your community.

In order to join the WOW program you will need:

A working telephone
To be a senior in Waterloo or the surrounding community
To register by calling 519-579-1020 x 10037
To answer a brief intake questionnaire

After joining, you will be registered for weekly or daily activities offered on our program calendar: May.

WOW Waterloo is an inclusive program for all older adults residing in Waterloo. To promote a welcoming and safe setting for all, we ask that participants observe our Respectful Conduct Policy:

to participate in a kind and respectful manner
to create an inclusive environment that honours people of all cultures, traditions, faiths, genders, sexual orientation, abilities, and life experiences
to respect all group members and their opinions, even if they differ from your own
to allow the facilitator, volunteer or guest speaker to lead the conversation or activity
to allow everyone a chance to speak and participate by not dominating conversations
to maintain confidentiality – information that is shared on the call by others should be kept private and confidential

June is Seniors month

Join us for one or all of the free online events we have planned throughout the month of June in recognition of seniors in the community. The 2022 theme is Stay Active, Connected, and Safe.

June 1 Senior of the Year recipient announcement (coming soon)

June 8 Staying Healthy & Well: Music For Well-Being, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Discuss the ways we can incorporate music into our lives for the purpose of health.
With Waterloo Public Library & Wilfred Laurier Faculty of Music. Register.

June 9 WPL Living Library: Rainbow Elders edition. Register.

June 14 Aging Well: Discussion with Waterloo Community Volunteers, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
In partnership with Waterloo Public Library. Register.

June 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) national webinar, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Bringing together experts on aging and elder abuse, politicians and community
to discuss what we can all do to ensure older Canadians are safe from
abuse and neglect. Register.

June 15 Staying Healthy & Well: June is Seniors and Parks & Recreation Month, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Take a virtual tour of the WMRC expansion and the new Community Pavilion.
Register (coming soon).

June 22 WOW Presentation: Kevin Coates in Concert, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Join in on this afternoon of entertainment with local musician Kevin
Coates. Register.

June 23 Seniors In the City, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Outdoor event. Live music and light refreshments. Bring your own lawn
chair to Brewmeister Green,155 King St. South at William. Sponsored by Chartwell
Retirement Residences. No registration required.

June 29 Staying Healthy & Well: Growing Something Different, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
With David Hobson. Plant to impress with the red passionflower, a plant that smells
like buttered popcorn, and another that can grow as high as a house in one season!
Register (coming soon).

Older Adult Housing Directory

Each year we publish an older adult housing directory. The latest version was updated in June 2021.

Download the Older Adult Housing Directory (PDF)

You are not alone

The City of Waterloo in collaboration with Age-Friendly Waterloo Multi-Agency Committee has developed a Guide to Improve Social Connectedness (PDF) as recommended from the city's Older Adult Social Isolation Report (2018).

The guide is intended to create awareness for older adults experiencing social isolation and provide resources to support getting connected in your community.

Content for the guide was compiled with the help of various community organizations and members.

Hard copies of the guide are available at city recreation facilities and local libraries.

Celebrating seniors video series

Celebrate Seniors is a video campaign featuring City of Waterloo senior groups that contribute to the health and wellness of other seniors in the community.

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