Sylvan Lake

Come indoors and walk at the Wellness and Community Centre Gym. 

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 

8:00am-9:00am

The indoor walk is free of charge and complimentary coffee and connections served!

No Program July and August. 

• 403 887 1137
• Email 

We want Sylvan Lake to become an Age Friendly Community!

An age Friendly Community is one that responds to both the opportunities and challenges of an aging population by creating physical and social environments that support independent active living and enable older people to continue contributing to all aspects of community life! Age Friendly is the idea of making structures and services more accessible and inclusive for everyone with varying needs and capacities. AF practices help strengthen communities, improve the economy and make life better for those who call our province, ideally Sylvan Lake home!

Consider all the different elements that make up your community:

• residential neighbourhoods
• roads and sidewalks
• municipal services
• parks and recreational facilities
• workplaces, shopping malls and corner stores
• pharmacies and doctor's offices
• schools and hospitals
• and everything in-between.

If you're an adult who is in good health, has full mobility and can drive, then you may not have trouble accessing the different parts of your community. In general, you can get around easily and can participate in community life as fully as you wish. However, there are likely a number of people in your community who are in different circumstances. Some residents may have disabilities. Some may have chronic health conditions. Some seniors may be living with reduced mobility, reduced vision or other conditions that come with older age. It may be challenging for these community members to get to medical appointments, to get groceries, and even attend social engagements, especially in the winter.

An age-friendly community is one where all individuals can be full and meaningful participants in their community. The WHO has led the global age-friendly movement. According to the WHO, an age-friendly community is one where policies, services, settings and structures support and enable people to age actively by:

• recognizing the wide range of capacities and resources among older persons
• anticipating and responding flexibly to aging-related needs and preferences
• respecting decisions and lifestyle choices
• protecting those who are most vulnerable
• promoting inclusion and contribution in all areas of community life

We are currently in the development stages of creating a committee to engage with the community and develop an action plan. If this interests you, please connect with us!

• 403 887 1137
• Email

Our Caregiver Support Group is for caregivers of older adults. Meet with other caregivers who are experiencing similar situations. Share what is going well and not so well, while talking in a safe environment.

Caregiving for any health conditions is still caregiving.

Various Health Conditions

• Alzheimer's
• Dementia 
• Parkinson's
• Stroke
• MS
• Cognitive Decline
• ALS

Registration required:

• First Wednesday of each month
• 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

• 4725 43 Street 
• 403 887 1137
• seniorsoutreach@sylvanlake.ca

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is any willful act or negligence directed at someone 65 or older, that:

• causes physical harm
• causes emotional or psychological harm
• involves the misuse of money or other personal possessions
• subjects a person to non-consensual sexual contact
• fails to provide the necessities of life

We can help you to:

• Learn to recognize elder abuse
• Get help if you experience, witness, or suspect elder abuse
• Report abuse and receive assistance and support 

Contact us:

• 403 396 5900
• Email 

Are you in immediate danger?

• Call 911

Think you could make a difference in the life of a young person? GrandPals is a pen pal style program where an older adult is paired with a student to exchange notes and crafts. We even host events to promote stronger connections between the two generations!

• Program runs September - June
• Up to 3 in-person events a year

• 403 887 1137
• Email 

Provides light housekeeping services to assist older adults and adults with disabilities to live independently in their homes.

Services may include:

• Sweeping
• Spot wall washing
• Dusting
• Bathroom cleaning
• Laundry
• Dishes
• Mopping
• Errands
• Meal Preparation
• Grocery Shopping
• Deliveries

Home Matters Subsidy Guidelines

To assist with heavier chores within the home, a Home Help program is available in the spring and fall. Please contact us for more information on this program.

Contact us:

• 403 887 1137 Ext. 444
• Email 

Lifeline is a personal response service that helps older adults or persons with disabilities stay safe.

There are several options available:

The Lifeline website has additional information on Lifeline products and tips for seniors for avoiding falls.

Contact us

• 403 887 1137 Ext. 444
• Email 
• Must make an appointment

Subsidy for Home Matters and Lifeline

The Government of Alberta's Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program offers a subsidy program for seniors. Please contact us if you require assistance in applying for this program.

The Older Adult Services Team will meet with older adults and/or their families either in the office or in the older adult's home to provide referral's to:

• Financial Supports
• Mental Health
• Grief & Loss Resources
• Social/Recreational
• Mobility Concerns
• Transportation 
• Caregiver Support
• Support Groups
• and MORE!

The Older Adult Services Team can also provide assistance with filling out forms such as:

• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
• Alberta Seniors Benefits -- Special Needs Assistance
• Alberta Health Care
• Alberta Seniors Blue Cross
• and MORE!

Contact us

• 403 887 1137 Ext. 444 
• Email 
• Must make an appointment

Social prescribing is a holistic approach to healthcare that bridges the gap between medical and community care services. Through social prescribing, healthcare providers can write a prescription for their patients to access community-based programs to improve their health and enhance their quality of life. 

Social Prescribing empowers older adults to manage their own health and thrive in community. Social Prescribing can help reduce the length and frequency of hospital stays. It also helps improve your physical and mental health in the long term.

This project allows healthcare providers to focus on what they do best - caring for the medical needs of their patients. When older adults experience non-medical, health-related challenges like financial strain, food insecurity and loneliness, healthcare providers can refer them to our link worker for support.

Initiatives Developed from Social Prescribing 

• Paint Day
  • Second and Fourth Friday of every month. 
  • Sylvan Lake Seniors Centre
• Mind Matters Program
  • 10 week mental health peer to peer group
  • 10 different facilitated topics offered by a professional
  • notes emailed out following each session
  • Wednesdays | 1:00pm-3:00pm NEW TIME!
  • Sylvan Lake Seniors Centre
  • Next session begins September 3, 2025.

Contact us

• 403 887 1137 
• Email

What is Zoomers?

Zoomers is a door-to-door transportation service! Trips to the grocery store are free to residents of Sylvan Lake who meet the membership criteria and are available for a small fee to residents who do not qualify for membership. Social wellness trips are subject to fees.

Where are we zooming to?

• Mondays | No Frills 
• Thursdays | Walmart 
• Social trips in town, Red Deer, and BEYOND!

When?

• Monday afternoons from 12:45 PM - 3:45 PM

• Thursday mornings from 12:45 PM - 3:45 PM

• Check the Zoomers Calendar to find the dates and times for social trips

Who's eligible?

To ensure that we are on time picking up, shopping and delivering back home, riders must be able to: 

• Participate in a quick in office or telephone intake with our WCC staff.

• Get independently out of their home to the curb where the bus will pick them up. The driver will not come the door or port the rider to the bus.  

• Shop independently while in the store.

How to sign up?

• To reserve your spot, call the WCC Admin Team! 403 887 1137 ext 400

Pricing

Grocery Trips in Town | Free for qualifying riders | $2.00 for non-qualifying riders

Social Wellness Trips in Town | $3.00

Social Wellness Trips to Red Deer | $5.00

Social Wellness Trips Beyond Red Deer | $10.00

Please note that there are only two wheelchair accessible spots on the bus.

Volunteers provide companionship to seniors who do not have family or friends close by.

Activities may include:

• Gardening
• Walking
• Playing cards or games
• Sharing a book
• Visiting local shops, cafes, events, or seniors centre
• Enjoying a good conversation

Contact us:

403 887 1137 Ext 433

Email

 Apply Now

Have a volunteer shovel your driveway throughout the winter. 

Eligibility

• Have a condition or disability - temporary or permanent, that prevents them from participating in snow removal;
• Have an annual gross income that falls in line with the Alberta Government financial assistance for seniors programs

• Have no other capable person(s) residing in their home or neighbourhood; and
• Are 65 years of age or older.

Contact us:

• 403 887 1137 Ext 433
• Email
• Snow Angels Resident Information Package

Apply Now

Have a volunteer help with yardwork throughout spring and summer.

Eligibility

• Have a condition or disability - temporary or permanent, that prevents them from participating in yard work;

• Have an annual gross income that falls in line with the Alberta Government financial assistance for seniors programs
• Have no other capable person(s) residing in their home or neighbourhood; and
• Are 65 years of age or older.

Contact us:

• 403 887 1137 Ext 433
• Email
• Yard Busters Resident Information Package

Apply Now

We’ve received three yearly grants of $25,000, each year:

• SL Seniors Centre, 2014/2015
• FCSS/Seniors Centre partnership, 2017/2018
• FCSS, 2019/2020
• FCSS 2020/2021
• FCSS 2021/2022
• FCSS 2022/2023
• FCSS 2023/2024
• WCC 2025/2026

Some of the initiatives supported through the grant include:

• National Seniors Conference
• Walk the Talk
• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
• Pink Shirt Day
• Amanda Lindhout, special presentation
• Intergenerational Mentoring
• Snowflake Ball
• Strawberry Tea
• It’s Not Right –Neighbors, Friends, and Family bystander training
• Brock Tully Kindness Event
• Paint, Pot, Plant Purple Posies
• Elder Abuse Prevention and Awareness laptop
• Health and Wellness Healing Hub 
• Accessible Planters
• Accessible Swing
• GrandPals PenPal Intergenerational Program
• Intergenerational Sensitivity Training Kits
• Frozen Meal Program
• Mobile Outreach in Various Community Locations
• Art Programs for Older Adults
• Peer Support Groups for Older Adults