What’s New
Friday Happy Hour
During the pandemic lockdown, residents began a routine of meeting in good weather out on the fountain deck on Friday afternoons for “Happy Hour”. Participants brought their own drinks and sat a safe distance apart. As happy hour became more popular, some brought a folding chair to supplement the seating on the deck. Now that we can gather indoors the group meets in the party room on raining Fridays and all through the winter months – but we still head out to the deck in good weather. This casual party is come as you are, bring your own drink and don’t wait to be invited. Everyone is welcome!
Lunch & Learn: UTI
Two nurses from the Rexdale Community Health Centre presented information about urinary tract infections. They spoke about the symptoms, the complications, how we can stay healthy. So many questions answered!
Enjoy Spring – Don’t Fall
As spring arrives, it’s a great time to refresh your home and make it safer—especially if you plan to age in place. Falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults, but many can be prevented with simple home updates.
Declutter: Remove tripping hazards like loose rugs, cords, and clutter in hallways.
Improve lighting: Swap in brighter bulbs and add nightlights to boost visibility, especially at night.
Boost safety: Install grab bars, handrails, and non-slip mats to reduce fall risks in key areas like bathrooms and stairs.
Connections
“Lunch & Learn”s have been some of the most popular initiatives at Islington Vertical Village, attended by 25 to 60 residents each time. The most recent was a presentation by Connected Canadians, a national digital inclusion charity that promotes digital literacy in older adults. It seemed that we could get along without technology until recently, when it is a widespread assumption that everyone has a computer and smart phone. Connected Canadians uses a combination of one-on-one support, instructor-led workshops, and web-based resources to provide, free of charge, training in digital literacy skills.
Janice Greenberg, speaker
Our enthusiastic expert speaker was Janice Greenberg who talked about the usefulness of artificial intelligence (chatGPT) and gave some good advice about shopping for groceries online. If you missed her presentation she followed up with some handouts to help us become comfortable with these digital supports. Click below to download these handouts.
St. Paddy’s Songfest
Vote!
A snap election in February has made voting more complicated especially for older Ontarians who may find it difficult to get to the polling stations.
In case you are still wondering about basics, our riding is Etobicoke North, our polling station is at Kingsview Public School and voting day is February 27. For information about voting in our riding on the day, or in advance check with Elections Ontario. Weather may be the deciding factor for early voting so check the weather reports.
If you are unable to get to the polling station you can request to vote at home. Call the local election office (1-833-705-3204) at Woodbine Centre to book a home visit.
Some of us are interested in voting strategically. Check out votewell.ca or notoneseat.ca for advice.
Christmas Crafternoon 2024
Diabetes: What You Need to Know
Our Lunch & Learn of October 15 presented what we should know about diabetes. Our speakers were a nurse and a dietitian from Rexdale Community Health Centre which has an office steps away from our complex. The event was well attended and everyone learned something new about what it means to live with diabetes.
Here is a refresher of the basic information from Dr. Hertzel Gerstein of McMaster University.
Halloween Crafternoon
Last Saturday Islington Vertical Village hosted an activity for the little ones in the building, as well as the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of residents. There was an opportunity for each child to colour animal masks, make a three-dimensional pumpkin and an autumn wreath. These craft afternoons are always a treat, as much for the adults as for the kids.
Fall 2024
Autumn has arrived, and our cottaging residents are back home, and beginning to engage in the social activites here. Drop by the bistro on weekday afternoons for a break and some conversation. While the weather is suitable, you may like to join us at the fountain deck on Friday afternoons for happy hour. Everyone is welcome to join in. Come as you are.
Take a look at the recent items added to our IVV website
SAFE: Senior Adult Fitness Exercises – Exercise program for seniors
developed by the McGill University Health Centre. The program is divided into four levels. Start with the first and move up if it seems easy.
Reverse Diabetes OHIP covers the cost of this 12 week program addressing type 2 diabetes. It is run online with virtual doctor visits, group support groups, information sessions, etc.
Power Over Pain Portal – Your pain is real and you are not alone. Power Over Pain provides you with access to resources, courses, peer support and much more, so that you can control your pain. This is a free program.
What’s up with COVID-19 this fall?
If you look around you might think that the pandemic is over. The first 25 minutes of this video contains recent expert thinking about where we are in Ontario regarding COVID-19.
