Canada faces significant aging of its population as the proportion of seniors increases more rapidly than all other age groups. In 2001, one in eight Canadian was aged 65 years or over. By 2026, one in five Canadian will have reached age 65.

Experts for seniors are trying to predict the impact that this group will have on demands for services, products, and programs and most importantly on the health care system.

Based on a commitment for enhancing the health and wellness of York Region seniors, CHATS (Community Home Assistance to Seniors) and Human Endeavour have extended their partnership to provide Wellness Programs for Tamil Seniors in Markham.

Supported by funding from United Way of York Region, the partnership provides unique opportunity to deliver much needed wellness services to our community’s newcomers and immigrants. By combining the best practices of the two organizations, service is leveraged at both a grassroots community level, and at a mainstream organizational level.

Program was officially launched on December 8, 2007 at the Milliken Mills High School and was attended by many dignitaries including, Honorable Michael Chan Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Hon. John MacCallum MP, Lui TemelKovski MP, Dr. Helena Jaczek MPP, Regional Councilor Jack Heath, Councilor Logan Kanapathi, Danielle Zanotti CEO United Way of York Region, Bette Neale  Director Client Services CHATS and many others. Many community members and seniors across York Region also attended the event

The event was filled with wonderful performances by various cultural groups. 

The objective of the program is to provide services to the seniors of Tamil community and improve their quality of life. Program addresses such issues as language skills, understanding and assimilating to the Canadian culture, social isolation, and more.

Program activities include:

• Health and wellness presentations
• Community information presentation
• English conversation exercises
• Low impact exercise, such as yoga
• Learning skills such as crafts
• Socialization, games, outings
• Poetry readings, music
• Translation services
• Nutritious meals, snacks
• Transportation to program

Through proposed activities, emphasis is on providing a wellness service model that would improve the health status of individuals, in particular, reducing their illness and problems arising due to mental and social issues related to isolation. The preventive strategies of the wellness program will improve the well being and health of seniors thus saving cost to the health care system and contributing to make it sustainable.

Tamil program falls under the theme “Integrating Communities” it also promotes strong cross cultural activities and participations to bring different communities and cultures together. Integration with the other ethnic and mainstream communities is achieved though multi cultural celebrations such as Canada Day, Eid, Diwali, Tamil New year, Deepavali, trips, information and health fairs.

For more info. Please visit www.humanendeavour.org or call 905-832-6842. Human Endeavour also runs a South Asian Seniors wellness program at the Vellore Village Community Centre in Vaughan.