New Hubs to Connect Seniors with Social, Recreational Programming

Seniors in the Port Hawkesbury and Shelburne areas will soon benefit from a new partnership aimed at supporting them in aging well.

The new Centres of Rural Aging and Health, a partnership between the Province and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), will operate out of the local NSCC campuses and will offer activities, education and services tailored to the needs of local seniors.

“Seniors have helped to build our communities and deserve to have the supports they need to remain active in these communities,” said Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care. “These centres offer a central spot where seniors can come together to socialize, exercise and get tips and lessons that will help them at home.”

Programming will focus on safety, injury prevention, physical activity, nutrition and social connections.

Local organizations and partners will offer workshops on topics like cybersecurity, estate planning and pharmacy healthcare services. Classes might include things like dance, knitting, rug hooking, mindfulness and yoga.

NSCC faculty and students will also lead some sessions, passing along knowledge from their programs in areas such as plumbing and culinary skills. Involving students provides opportunity for intergenerational learning and enhances their education.

The new hubs are modelled on the pilot Centre of Rural Aging and Health (CORAH), launched at the NSCC Annapolis Valley campus in Middleton in 2021. More than 100 volunteers have participated in the delivery of more than 1,100 sessions since the centre opened there.

The Province is providing funding of more than $425,000 to expand to the two additional sites.

Registration for programming at the Port Hawkesbury Centre of Rural Aging and Health at NSCC’s Strait Area campus opens today, September 19. More information is available by emailing corah.strait@nscc.ca .

Program registration at the Shelburne campus centre opens Thursday, September 21.

Helping local communities support seniors with information and education and connecting seniors with services and resources is part of Action for Health, the government’s plan to improve healthcare.

Quotes:

“Where CORAH took root – at our Annapolis Valley campus – it has flourished because of the tremendous community collaboration involved. Not only have the participants benefitted, but our students and staff who offered to volunteer and present, also grew from the centre and the friendships that developed through this great connection. Thanks to the Province’s investment, I know those same connections and partnerships will flourish at the two new CORAH sites launching at our Shelburne and Strait Area campuses. The programming will serve as an invaluable resource for seniors in our communities.”

– Lynn Hartwell, Vice-President, Campuses and Communities, NSCC

“This really is a partnership. With the funding from the Province, the efforts of the NSCC campus teams, the collaboration of all the CORAH colleagues, and the input and enthusiasm of our volunteers, I am so excited to think of the difference we can make for seniors in our community.”

– Michele MacPhee, Administrative and Project Co-ordinator, CORAH, Strait Area campus

“It’s a privilege and an honour to be a part of the CORAH advisory committee. With the expertise of the group, there are many facets of support that can be identified and creatively co-ordinated for the community. A central hub at NSCC provides seniors with a place to identify with and to reach out to with questions. This has never been an option for seniors. I look forward to watching the connections expand.”

– Dr. Michelle Greenwell, CORAH advisory committee member, Strait Area campus

Quick Facts:

• CORAH programming focuses on four pillars: healthy practices, healthy relationships, healthy eating and active living
• the two new CORAH sites will operate four days a week, with activities and programs during the day and evening
• daily programming continues to be available at the CORAH site in Middleton, with weekly presentations livestreamed to five satellite sites

Additional Resources:

Centre of Rural Aging and Health at NSCC: https://nscc.ca/corah

Centre of Rural Aging and Health at NSCC Strait Area campus on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CORAHNSCCStrait

Centre of Rural Aging and Health at NSCC Shelburne campus on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CORAHShelburne

Centre of Rural Aging and Health at NSCC Annapolis Valley campus in Middleton on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CORAHHub/

Action for Health, the government's strategic plan for transforming the healthcare system: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth

Mandate letter of the Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-SLTC.pdf

NOTE: The Shelburne registration information was updated September 21, 2023.