We celebrate Seniors Month in Ontario every June. This is a time to honour and acknowledge the amazing seniors across the province. During Seniors Month, we recognize the contributions that older adults have made in communities across Ontario and highlight the important role seniors play in our province. This year, the theme for Seniors Month is “Fit, Active, and Healthy Seniors”. This theme aims to encourage seniors to stay physically and mentally engaged on a daily basis, promoting the importance of social interaction, wellness, and exercise. OSCR’s Healthy Living Programs offer a wide range of activities to support social connection, engagement, and physical activity amongst our clients. We are committed to encouraging our senior population to take part in the HLP programming, and live active, healthy lives at OSCR. Seniors Month is a special opportunity to celebrate the older adults in Ontario. We are so fortunate to be able to serve hundreds of seniors, both onsite at OSCR, as well as in the community. We are so grateful for the seniors who call OSCR home.  Happy Seniors Month!

The 1960s was one of the most influential and progressive decades in history. This was a decade of significant change, known for the civil rights movement, the emergence of the counterculture movement, as well as peace, love and rock & roll. Read on to take a walk down memory lane! A Decade of Significant Events Many significant world events occurred during the 1960s, including the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., marking a time of political unrest. This decade also saw “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” with the moon landing being one of the most watched television events of all time. Rise of the Counterculture Movement During the 1960s, societal values were changing from conservative and subdued, to one of activism and protest. This decade saw a revolution in society, with people pushing for changes related to racial equality, women’s rights, environmental, and political movements. Pop Culture Icons This decade is known for peace, love, and rock & roll. The 1960s marked the arrival of the British Invasion in music, with the Beatles taking over the airwaves. The sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and Janis Joplin were popular amongst young people. In the mid-sixties, many households purchased their first colour televisions; Mary Tyler Moore, Dick Van Dyke, and Carol Burnett were amongst the most popular actors on tv screens during this decade. Fashion & Trends Clothing in the 1960s featured vibrant colours and patterns. Mini skirts, go-go boots, and bell bottoms were all the rage. People moved away from the conservative, formal fashions that were popular in the fifties. Men began wearing their hair long, and women preferred shorter hemlines on their skirts and dresses. The change in fashion trends was largely influenced by the rise in the counterculture movement, where they rebelled against tradition and demanded social and political reforms. We hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane as we looked back on the 1960s!

Every year on May 19 th , people across Ontario celebrate PSW Day. This is a special time to show our gratitude to the Personal Support Workers who provide OSCR clients with exceptional assistance on a daily basis. The Government of Ontario declared May 19 th PSW Day in 2010, when the day was created as a measure of appreciation for the essential role Personal Support Workers play in our province. While we are grateful for the high-quality support our PSWs offer each and every day, May 19 th is an important time to honour them for all of their hard work and compassionate care. PSW day is a significant time where we acknowledge their efforts and express our appreciation to Personal Support Workers at OSCR. PSWs have dedicated their lives to helping others, and they deserve all the praise and gratitude given to them on this day. There is nothing more admirable than a career in which you support others and enable seniors to live their best lives. OSCR is very fortunate to have kind and caring PSWs working onsite, as well as in the local community. Their support and compassionate care allow OSCR clients to maintain their independence and live their lives with dignity as they age in place. We ask that you take the time to thank a Personal Support Worker on May 19 th ; it’s important that we show our appreciation for all that PSWs do for our clients and the OSCR community. OSCR wishes all Personal Support Workers a Happy PSW Day!

Summer Considerations & Vacation Coverage - Memo for OSCR outreach clients in the community

The key to improving your quality of life in your senior years is implementing beneficial habits that will help you maintain a happy & healthy lifestyle as you age. Read on to learn more about what you can incorporate into your daily routine to improve your quality of life in your senior years! Stay Social As we age, we often spend more time alone. It’s important to make time in your schedule for maintaining social connections with loved ones & friends. OSCR’s Healthy Living Programs offers a wide array of social programing and activities. Participating in these programs gives you a chance to make beneficial social bonds with fellow residents and creates a sense of belonging. Staying social as we age is important for both emotional wellbeing and cognitive health and will lead to an increased quality of life. Keep Fit & Active Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining your strength, mobility, and balance as you age. Keeping active and fit will improve your quality of life by improving your physical health- OSCR offers regular fitness classes as well as group physiotherapy led by Lifemark instructors to help you live a healthier life. Eat a Balanced Diet Eating well on a regular basis plays a big role in your quality of life. OSCR’s Food Services department follows Canada’s Food Guide to ensure the meals served in our dining room are both nutritious and delicious. A diet rich in whole grains, healthy fats, lean proteins, and fresh fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of certain health problems, as well as boost immunity and strengthen your body. Rest & Relax Taking the time to relax during the day can reduce stress and improve your overall wellbeing. Listening to soft music, reading a book, or meditating can help calm the mind and promote relaxation. Getting enough quality sleep during the night is an important factor in maintaining good health as we age. Keep to a consistent sleep schedule and try to get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Rest and relaxation play a big part when it comes to your general health and energy levels- incorporating a good routine for both will lead to a better quality of life. Go For Regular Check-ups As we age, it’s important to have regular check-ups with your healthcare providers. Just like a car, humans need to have any concerns or issues looked at. From your vision to your teeth, to your hearing and your general overall health- it’s important to visit your healthcare professionals regularly to prevent any issues from affecting your quality of life. Try implementing the habits above and see how they can increase your mood, outlook, and improve your quality of life!

Enjoy our May Edition!

Each April, Volunteer Week is celebrated in Canada. This is a week to honour and recognize volunteers across the country who selflessly donate their time and skills to make a difference in the lives of others. National Volunteer Week 2025 is the week of April 27 th - May 3 rd . This year, the theme of Volunteer Week is “Volunteers Make Waves”. This theme highlights the impact and importance of volunteer efforts across Canada. Just like a wave, volunteering is movement building. Together, volunteers create ripples of change. Each and every volunteer creates a momentum and inspires a wave of inspiration. Volunteers play a big part in the OSCR community- from serving clients and tenants in OSCaR’s Place, to leading some of the activities in the Healthy Living Programs, their efforts make a big difference in the lives of OSCR residents each and every day. The generous contributions of volunteers make a positive impact on our community; OSCR is grateful for the time and efforts our volunteers provide our organization. We are so fortunate to have caring volunteers- they are the cornerstone of our ability to offer a wide variety of programs and activities. We’re extremely grateful for their dedication and commitment to OSCR. Thank you to all of our volunteers- Happy National Volunteer Week! 

Oakville Senior Citizens Residence (OSCR) is located in beautiful Bronte Village, Oakville. Bronte is a safe, walkable neighbourhood located along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. This quaint waterfront community is an inviting place for seniors, as it is a quiet area with an abundance of green space and parks, as well as a variety of nearby amenities. Shops and restaurants in Bronte Village are easily accessed on foot from our doorstep. The main stretch is dotted with many shops, services, and restaurants. You’ll find a number of cafes, banks, and boutiques only steps away. Oakville Transit routes connect Bronte Village to the greater Oakville area- a bus stop is conveniently located at the end of OSCR’s main driveway. Situated a few blocks from OSCR, the Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park is home to many events and activities throughout the year, with their popular summer concert series featuring the Oakville Wind Orchestra drawing many patrons to the park. Residents and visitors also look forward to the annual Art in the Park fair, which brings artists, vendors, and art enthusiasts to the waterfront each August. There’s always something to see and do at the Bronte waterfront. Our residents love living amongst the natural beauty in picturesque Bronte in Oakville, with the harbour, the shores of Lake Ontario, shopping, and dining all within walking distance. OSCR clients enjoy living in the well-maintained, safe, and bustling community of Bronte Village – we are lucky to call it home!

Passover is a Jewish celebration that takes place in the springtime, commemorating the deliverance from slavery in Egypt thousands of years ago. The dates of Passover change each year, as they are based on the Hebrew calendar. The celebration usually lasts for eight days, which represent the number of days the Israelites were chased by the Pharoah’s army upon leaving Egypt. This year, the first day falls on April 12 th . On the first night of Passover, the Seder is held. This is a special family meal where foods of symbolic significance are eaten, and prayers and recitations are read. The most important food that is eaten during Passover is matzo, which is an unleavened bread made only of flour and water. Matzo is significant because it symbolizes the bread that Israelites fled Egypt with, as they didn’t have time to let it rise. Apples, nuts, honey, and wine are also consumed during Passover. The Seder meal is preceded by prayers and readings the Haggadah, a book that narrates the events surrounding the exodus, so that each generation can learn and remember the history that is very significant to Jewish life.  Chag Pesach Sameach- Happy Passover!