Seniors Department Programs

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECT for Seniors

ON-SITE OFFICE
85 The Esplanade Toronto, ON M5E 1Y8

Tel: 416- 365-0145
Fax: 416- 365-7214

Dixon Hall's Supportive Housing Project for Seniors is a program which offers support services to residents in four buildings:

Old York Tower (85 The Esplanade)
Performing Arts Lodge (110 The Esplanade)
Older Women�s Network Co-op (115 The Esplanade)
New Hibret Co-op (2 Market Street).

The program enables residents with health and social needs to continue to live independently in their own apartment homes. These services are funded by the Long Term Care Division, Ministry of Health and are provided by Dixon Hall Supportive Housing Project for Seniors on-site staff.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

All residents living at Old York Tower, PAL Place, OWN Co-op, and New Hibret Co-op are eligible for assessment and residents who have a demonstrated need and who meet eligibility criteria are able to receive assistance.

Application Procedure:
Eligible residents of can contact Dixon Hall Supportive Housing Project for Seniors directly or instruct someone to do so on their behalf.

The Care Coordinator will make an appointment to visit the resident in his/ her apartment to assess and discuss the person�s individual needs.

Residents who are returning home after a period in the hospital are encouraged to contact the Care Coordinator from the hospital to pre-arrange required services.

WHAT WE OFFER

1. Personal care
Assistance with:

Bathing
Dressing
Toileting
Skin care
Mouth care
Hair care
Safety checks
Transfers
Turning/Positioning
Medication reminder

2. Essential homemaking
Assistance with:

Light housekeeping
Laundry
Grocery shopping
Light meal preparation

3. Emergency response
Our staff are nearby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached through a pager.

However, since there are no doctors/ nurses on site, in a life-threatening emergency, the resident is advised to call 9-1-1 first and then our program. Staff will provide practical assistance/ support until the ambulance arrives.

For further informationon the Supportive Housing Project
or to enquire about referral or assessment,
please call the
Supportive Housing Care Coordinator at: (416) 365-0145

ELDERLY PERSONS CENTRE - (55+ years of age)
*The Elderly Person's Centre* provides opportunities for social interaction and support, promotes wellness among seniors, encourages members to develop leadership and creative skills, offers opportunities for continuing learning, provides activities for general enjoyment and facilitates cultural integration. The department also promotes intergenerational interaction between seniors and children from the Children and Youth Department.
The Toronto District Schoolboard - Continuing Education Dept. sponsors the following three classes: Sewing Class - held once a week Yoga Class - adapted to show techniques for those who can use a mat or do yoga from a chair Fitness Class - designed to improve flexibility, joint mobility, and cardiovascular endurance The Royal Conservatory of Music with funding from New Horizons for Seniors provides: Singing from Scratch - designed for seniors with or without singing experience - repertoire chosen to suit many musical tastes
	Taoist Tai Chi - a weekly exercise program that helps improve health, relaxation and concentration Birthday Lunches/Program - monthly celebration and afternoon activities including films, guest speakers, slide shows and various entertainment Cooking Classes - monthly communal food preparation program to assist older adults in learning about nutrition in conjunction with the many factors of aging *Pot-Luck Lunch/Bingo* - seniors meet monthly for lunch Bingo. *Art Drop-In* - a volunteer instructor teaches acrylic painting once a week
*Craft Drop-In* - A group of seniors meet on a weekly basis to teach each other crafts Day Trips - joint outings with seniors. *E.S.L and Literacy for Spanish Speaking Seniors* - weekly classes to prepare them for listening, speaking and reading English. *Knitting* - learn the basics of knitting once a week Other Elderly Persons Centre Programs: Special events including Christmas Lunch, Lunar New Year Celebration, Annual Art Exhibit and Craft Sales Outreach to frail seniors in the community

HOME SUPPORT SERVICES for seniors
The Seniors Department *Home Support Services* help seniors stay in their homes by providing the necessary services for safe and independent living. Seniors living in the following area may qualify for our Home Support services: Church Street to the west, Gerrard Street to the north, Don River to the east, and Lakeshore Boulevard to the south. Please note that these are general boundaries and they may differ slightly for specific services.
Home Help Many seniors find it hard to keep up with the never-ending household chores. Our friendly and experienced staff members help with housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, simple meal preparation and running errands. The fee for qualifying seniors is $7.00 per hour.
	Shopping Every Thursday morning and afternoon, Dixon Hall rents a van to take seniors grocery shopping. Staff and volunteers are always there to help with loading and unloading. The cost to the senior for the entire shopping trip is only $5.00. For those seniors who are unable to go in the van, we can pick up their list, do the shopping and deliver the groceries to their door. The cost to qualifying seniors for this service is $6.00 per order.
Client Intervention & Assistance Many seniors have difficult problems. They can turn to Dixon Hall for emotional support, for help in finding the best community resources, and for help in coordinating these services. Dixon Hall helps many seniors through serious difficulties. We also provide practical assistance with such tasks as filling out any required application forms.
	Friendly Visiting Seniors needing companionship - or just someone to talk to - can find that someone in one of our volunteers. We can arrange for one of our friendly volunteers to make regular visits to a senior at a mutually convenient time. Breaking up the isolation that so many seniors experience is a highly valued service.
Telephone Reassurance Perhaps some seniors just need a phone call? Perhaps they wish to be reminded to take their medicine? Perhaps they need to have someone check in with them to make sure they are OK? Whatever the case, volunteers in our telephone reassurance program lessen the isolation and insecurity by calling seniors periodically at designated times.
	Escort to Appointments Getting to an appointment on one's own can be extremely stressful and challenging for many seniors. Our reliable volunteers are there to accompany seniors to medical and other essential appointments.
Please call the Dixon Hall Seniors Department at 416-863-0499 for more information on our Home Support Services. Referrals are welcome from individuals, family, friends, social workers, nurses, and other health professionals. Dixon Hall's Home Support Services are funded by the Province of Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, and in part by the United Way of Toronto and the City of Toronto.