Pick your passions Three years before retiring, social worker Evy Solomon began dipping her toes into the water at the Cummings Centre taking classes in stained glass and tole painting. “I had always enjoyed crafting and wanted to properly prepare for my retirement and begin my association with Cummings,” says Evy. [...]
Reaching out and touching somebody’s hand, as the golden oldies hit song goes, has an important impact on our overall wellbeing as we age. Studies continually show that as social isolation increases, health, both physical and mental, decreases. Statistics Canada reports that 1.4 million Canadian seniors feel lonely and many seniors [...]
When winter rolls around, we often adopt the mindset that we can’t go outside – it is too cold, too wet or we will get sick. Nothing could be further from the truth! Exercising outdoors can offer plenty of physical and mental benefits, providing you dress appropriately and respect your own [...]
Only a small percentage of brainpower is used, but there is more available October 13th is National Train Your Brain Day. This yearly recognition is held as a way of encouraging people to expand and exercise their brain and use more of its capacity. Many scientists believe that since only a [...]
Our bodies were made for moving! Agility is the ability to move your body quickly, easily and with control and balance. Exercises that help improve agility will specifically train balance, coordination, range of motion, speed of movement & strength. Your level of agility can improve with practice and increase your ability [...]
Put your hands to good use It was a day out on the golf course with a friend about five years ago that first sparked Murray Shostak’s interest in becoming a woodshop volunteer at the Cummings Centre. “It is a great way for me to give back to my community. I am [...]
Get unconditional support “I am so privileged to witness the amazing connection between participants and animals as part of the Community Mental Health program at Cummings,” says Erika-May Pasmore of Khalizoo Zootherapy. “Animal-assisted therapy helps both younger and older seniors struggling with various emotional and psychological mental health challenges.” Reassurance of the [...]
Seniors have so much to offer Arriving in Canada from her native Nigeria in the middle of a cold January, Blessing was looking for a warm place to hang her hat. She turned to Cummings, twice a week volunteering behind the counter in the cafeteria making sandwiches, pouring coffee and serving up [...]
Everyday is father’s day With three daughters, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, Jack Margolis says everyday is father’s day. Spending time with family is what he cherishes the most and to top it all off, most of his family live in Montreal. “As the years move along, we want to acknowledge [...]
Post-stroke exercise at Cummings Centre is more that just a fitness class Venilde Moniz, a vibrant professional, had a stroke four years ago. At the time, Venilde knew that exercise was crucial to her recovery but she knew something else was just as crucial: she needed support. Consequently, Venilde joined the [...]