A&O Support Services for Older Adults

Belonging Circles – A Social Engagement Program for Newcomer Seniors

Belonging Circles is a culturally responsive program designed to reduce isolation and foster meaningful social connection among older adult newcomers in Winnipeg. Through small, language-accessible group gatherings, the program creates welcoming spaces where seniors can share stories, build relationships, and engage in culturally meaningful activities. Each “circle” meets regularly to promote trust, consistency, and a growing sense of belonging.

By centering culture, community, and connection, Belonging Circles helps newcomer seniors feel seen, supported, and rooted in their new home — transforming social isolation into shared experience and friendship.

Saskatoon Council on Aging

Social Programs for Older Adults 

With support from an Age Better grant, the Saskatoon Council on Aging will scale up four of its most impactful programs designed to reduce social isolation and strengthen connection among older adults across Saskatchewan. These programs include the Seniors Neighbourhood Hub Club, which brings older adults together through social, recreational, physical, and educational activities; Globe Walk, a winter wellness initiative that encourages older adults to stay active and connected through collective movement challenges and group events; Seniors Tech Buddy, which pairs older adults with youth for one-on-one digital literacy and online safety support; and Pen Pal, an intergenerational letter-writing program that connects seniors with elementary school students. Through this funding, the organization will expand these proven programs into 20 additional rural and urban communities while equipping local organizations with toolkits and guidance to adapt and sustain them in ways that reflect the needs of their communities.

Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS)

The Humjoli Active Aging Program 

The Humjoli Active Aging Program, delivered by Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society, is a culturally grounded initiative that helps reduce social isolation and foster belonging among older South Asian women. Through bi-weekly gatherings, cultural celebrations, workshops, outings, and peer support, the program creates meaningful opportunities for friendship, confidence-building, learning, and community connection. Designed around the languages, traditions, and lived experiences of participants, Humjoli offers a welcoming space where older women feel seen, valued, and supported. Building on participant feedback and growing demand, the program is expanding to serve 60–100 women while introducing new educational sessions focused on wellness, safety, digital literacy, dementia awareness, elder abuse prevention, and healthy aging.

Rural Ottawa South Support Services

Connecting Isolated Rural Seniors with Community

The Connecting Isolated Rural Seniors with Community program helps older adults in rural communities move from isolation to meaningful community participation. Through in-person outreach and information sessions, a dedicated Community Connector introduces older adults to local programs, social activities, and supports while identifying individuals who may be isolated or unaware of available services. The program also provides personalized support — including help with registration, transportation, one-on-one follow-up, and volunteer accompaniment to first activities — to reduce barriers and build confidence. By helping older adults participate in social, recreational, and community programs, the initiative fosters stronger social connections, a greater sense of belonging, and increased community engagement.

Balmoral Aid & Support Services

Building Belonging Together by Advancing Ismaili Seniors Centres 

The Ismaili Seniors Centres (ISCs) provide welcoming, culturally and linguistically familiar spaces where older Canadian Ismailis aged 55+ can gather, learn, and build meaningful social connections. Operating 43 centres across 31 cities, they offer approximately 500 hours of monthly programming, including exercise and wellness classes, health and financial education, games, music, dance, and cognitively stimulating activities. In 2025, ISCs also introduced Memory Cafes to support older adults living with mild dementia and cognitive decline through inclusive, community-based engagement.  

Beyond reducing social isolation, the centres foster a strong sense of belonging by encouraging older adults to actively participate as volunteers in the planning and delivery of programs, strengthening connection, inclusion, and purpose within their communities.  

Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA)

Strengthening Belonging Through Community Conversations About Ageism 

The Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, in partnership with Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children, is expanding the It’s Not Right! Neighbours, Friends and Families for Older Adults program by developing a flexible series of ageism workshops designed to strengthen social connection and belonging. Building on an existing workshop co-developed with older adults and community partners, the project will create shorter, adaptable modules that can be delivered more widely in community settings. Through facilitated dialogue and shared learning, participants will explore issues such as internalized ageism, intergenerational relationships, and inclusion, helping to challenge harmful assumptions about aging while fostering meaningful conversations, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of belonging. 

Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO)

Voices of Belonging: Aging Vibrantly Podcast 

Through creative storytelling and real-life experiences shared by seniors, a new series of episodes on the Aging Vibrantly Podcast will explore topics such as loneliness, mental health, retirement transitions, human rights, and rebuilding social networks. Guided by a Seniors’ Advisory Committee, the project aims to help older adults feel seen, understood, and less alone while creating shared experiences that spark conversation and connection.  

Beyond online listening, select episodes will also be brought into community spaces such as Senior Active Living Centres, where facilitated group discussions will encourage social interaction, peer support, and meaningful community engagement. 

Evangeline Mental Wellness Hub 

Expanding the Circle 

The Evangeline Mental Wellness Hub is advancing its Expanding the Circle initiative to strengthen social connection and improve access to community-based supports for older adults in rural Kings and Annapolis Counties. By bringing together partner organizations and services — such as Memory Café programming, wellness workshops, caregiver supports, seniors’ safety initiatives, health education, and social activities — within one accessible and welcoming community space, the Hub helps reduce barriers related to transportation, isolation, and limited rural services. Through shared meals, group activities, peer support, and ongoing relationship-building, the initiative creates a sense of continuity, belonging, and connection while helping older adults more easily access the supports they need to stay engaged in their communities. 

Keewatin/Inkster Neighbourhood Resource Council

Building the KINRC Community 

This initiative will bring older adults in Winnipeg’s Keewatin/Inkster community together through a series of inclusive, low-cost social events and excursions designed to reduce isolation and foster connection, reaching primarily low-income older adults. Designed with participant input and supported by volunteer opportunities, these events create meaningful opportunities for older adults to build friendships, stay active, celebrate community, and participate in experiences that may otherwise be inaccessible due to cost or transportation barriers.

Ability New Brunswick 

Senior Navigation Service 

Ability New Brunswick’s Senior Navigation Service provides proactive, one-on-one community-based support to older adults with limited mobility and physical disabilities, helping bridge the gap between available services and meaningful social connection. By supporting seniors to navigate programs, access resources, and participate more fully in their communities, the initiative helps reduce isolation while promoting inclusion, autonomy, and belonging. With additional investment, the program aims to expand its reach across New Brunswick, ensuring more older adults can access the supports and connections they need to remain engaged and connected in their communities.

Barrhead & District Family and Community Support Services Society 

Vintage Vibes & Ventures 

Vintage Vibes & Ventures is a transportation-based program that reduces social isolation and strengthens belonging among older adults by providing regular access to shared community outings. Using a passenger van, the program transports seniors to monthly group experiences such as cafés, greenhouses, dinner theatre, and local events, creating opportunities for connection, friendship, and participation in community life. The initiative is particularly important for low-income older adults facing transportation and affordability barriers, with funding supporting van use and activity costs so participation remains accessible to all. By removing practical barriers and prioritizing shared experiences, the program helps older adults stay socially engaged and connected to their community. 

North Rocky View Community Links 

Friendly Visiting Program 

The Friendly Visiting program is designed to reduce social isolation and loneliness among older adults by connecting them with friendly visitors for regular companionship and meaningful social interaction. Through a “Friendly Visitor” approach, seniors are matched with trained volunteers — many of whom are also older adults — who provide in-person visits and, where needed, phone check-ins to maintain consistent contact. The program also encourages participation in community activities, strengthening social ties and neighbourhood connection while offering caregivers valuable respite. Supported by agency staff and built on strong safety practices, including volunteer screening and ongoing coordination, the initiative is free of charge and accessible to all older adults. By fostering reciprocal relationships between seniors and volunteers, the program promotes purpose, inclusion, and improved mental well-being through sustained social connection. 

Acte d’Amour 

Au Fil des Saveurs et des Sorties 

Au Fil des Saveurs et des Sorties (Through Flavors and Outings) reduces social isolation among older adults by creating regular opportunities for warm, inclusive, and engaging group experiences rooted in cultural and sensory discovery. Through intercultural cooking workshops, participants explore global cuisines in a welcoming setting that encourages conversation, curiosity, and meaningful social connection. These activities are paired with themed cultural outings to markets and community sites, reinforcing group bonds and shared experiences. Together, the workshops and outings help older adults rebuild social confidence, strengthen their sense of belonging, and reconnect with a community where they feel valued, heard, and included.

Centre LaSalle D&D 50+ Centre / LaSalle D&D 50+ Centre 

Cooking Companions Circle 

The Cooking Companions Circle brings together older adults to engage in a shared, intergenerational-style learning experience focused on preparing popular Canadian cultural dishes that have become part of everyday cuisine. Through weekly sessions, participants will alternate roles as both learners and demonstrators, observing and teaching one another as they explore 20 culturally significant recipes. Through hands-on cooking, storytelling, and shared participation, the program fosters connection, mutual learning, and cultural exchange while reducing isolation and strengthening a sense of belonging. 

Rexdale Community Health Centre 

MusicRx: Music as Medicine 

The Rexdale Community Health Centre will build on its existing Links2Wellbeing social prescription program by introducing “MusicRx,” an initiative that connects older adults to the health and well-being benefits of music through guided group singing sessions and related musical activities. Designed for 25–35 seniors, the program offers twice-weekly sessions in a safe, supportive environment where participants can engage with peers while reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Drawing on research showing the therapeutic benefits of music for conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, aphasia, and respiratory challenges, MusicRx will also be available as a prescribed social activity through RCHC’s healthcare teams. By integrating music into social prescribing, the project supports both clinical well-being and meaningful social connection among older adults. 

UPEI Health Research Network  

PEI Ageism Network: Engaging Older Adults and Fostering Social Connections

Building on the momentum of the of the 2024–2025 Ageism Pilot, UPEI will establish ongoing Community Tables through existing or newly identified regional hubs across Prince Edward Island. These peer-led gatherings will provide regular, structured spaces for older adults to continue discussions on ageism, social isolation, and inclusion, while strengthening local connection and community engagement. Each hub will be supported with a practical “Hub in a Box” toolkit — including discussion guides, ageism resources, sign-in and feedback forms — and small micro-grants to cover basic costs such as refreshments and transportation supports. Together, these elements will enable accessible, low-barrier, and consistent local spaces where older adults can meet, share experiences, and maintain meaningful conversations that foster connection and belonging.