News and Events for Seniors

Classes and Activities Offered by Edmonton Seniors Organizations

Westend Seniors Activity Centre

Stay healthy and socially connected with online programming! WSAC is now offering several online courses in the areas of fitness, dance, yoga, mindfulness, and wellness. For more information and to register, email programs@weseniors.ca.

Edmonton Seniors Centre

ESC is using Zoom to offer online fitness classes, peer support groups, crafting sessions, technology help, health and wellness advice, and arts classes. See their website for details. 

Mill Woods Seniors Association 

Online fitness classes and social gatherings are all the rage at MWSA. Their web page featuring online classes includes information on upcoming activities, which include yoga, pilates, stretching, and an informative class on “aging backwards”! To get your social fix, join MWSA's weekly Wednesday "Virtual Happy Hour" or catch up with the kids during "Recess", their new virtual intergenerational program. 

Strathcona Place Society

The popular "Wisemen and Wonderwomen" social group has moved to an online format, meeting every Wednesday at 10 a.m. (Wisemen) and 1:30 p.m. (Wonderwomen). Participation is free. Register by calling 780-433-5809 or emailing outreachcoordinator@strathconaplace.com. The centre is also offering a phone pal program to connect seniors in the community. To get on the call list or to volunteer, contact Danielle by calling the office or emailing volunteers@strathconaplace.com. 

The Shaama Centre for Seniors and Women

Cooking classes

Tuesday, 12 p.m. beginning June 16

Free

No need to go to a fancy restaurant. Learn to whip up tantalizing South Asian dishes at home! In this online class series, you will learn a new dish each week from culinary experts. Call 780-465-2992 or email light@shaama.ca to register. Due to safety reasons, the centre will not be providing samples of dishes at this time, however, a tasting event will be scheduled in the future when it is safe to do so.

Craft and Quiz Meetups

Thursdays (starting June 25), 1:15 p.m.

Free

Calling all crafters and trivia buffs! These online Zoom meetups are a great way to practice crafts with friends or get a good brain workout. Materials will be supplied ahead of time. To register call 780-465-2992 or email at light@shaama.ca.

Sage Seniors Association

Your favourite Sage activities are now available online. Get your fitness fix in “Everyday Fitness”, join a “Sing-a-Long" and belt out some old favourites or transport yourself to the beaches of Hawaii in “Ukulele Summer Strum”. Visit www.mysage.ca/events or call 780-423-5510 ext. 301 for full details.

Friendly Phone Calls

Staying connected is important! If you would like to be added to Sage’s friendly phone call list, please call 780-423-5510 and press 5 and leave a message requesting to be added to the list.

Well Connected by ElderCare Edmonton and Caregivers Alberta
Wednesdays, 10 - ­11 a.m.
Free
This new program provides community-based programming in a virtual setting. Stay connected by participating in activities, education, and friendly conversation. Both caregivers and care recipients are welcome to participate! Register through Eventbrite to receive a Zoom link.

Tai Chi Practice

Central Lions Seniors Association

Fridays, 1:15 p.m.

Free

Join a Tai Chi drop-in group that meets at CLSA to practice. Meet in the southeast corner of the CLSA parking lot and practice will take place on the east side of the building on the concrete patio.

The group tries to set up the next practice after each session, based on the weather forecast and trying to keep to Fridays at the same time. Practice may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

If you choose to join in this activity please remember to use social distancing. CLSA accepts no liability, the building is closed and folks have to assess their own personal risks in participating.

Virtual Canada Day Celebrations 

Local municipalities have partnered for an online Canada Day celebration! Enjoy a selection of Canada-themed crafts, puzzles and trivia in this fun activity booklet. From 6 until 8 p.m. on July 1 visit the event Facebook page for a series of virtual concerts. 

2020 Canada Day Road Race: Virtual Run 

The Running Room 

Ongoing until July 1  

$20  

Celebrate Canada Day with a day of fitness and exploration. Choose an activity – walk, run or cycle to locations in Edmonton that represent you and your Canadian identity. Make sure to bring your phone to snap some pictures of these locations and enter to win great prizes.  Your registration includes: a commemorative 2020 finishers medal, entry for draw prizes, and a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society. Remember to follow the guidelines set out by the provincial government and health agencies for physical distancing. For more information, email Joan at Joan.Radford@albertahealthservices.ca. 

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations

National Indigenous Peoples Day and History Month is a time to celebrate the diverse histories, languages and cultures of Indigenous Peoples that enrich our province.

• National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on June 21st each year. This year the Government of Alberta is hosting a virtual celebration on June 19, 12 p.m. The Government of Alberta is bringing together the province to celebrate Indigenous culture and creativity online. Join Minister Rick Wilson and guest performers in an afternoon of Indigenous song, dance and celebration.
• Learn more about First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture.
• Path to Reconciliation Reading List: Edmonton Public Library has partnered with Miranda Jimmy to curate a reading list to acknowledge five years since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Miranda is involved with RISE – Reconciliation in Solidarity Edmonton – an inclusive group promoting reconciliation in actions and words.

Friendly Phone Call Programs

Are you feeling lonely and wish you could connect with someone over the phone? Local friendly phone call programs provide an opportunity to socialize while staying safely at home. Once you are signed up for a program, someone will call you (often weekly) to check in and chat. Call 211 for a list of friendly phone call programs. You can read more about how friendly phone initiatives are helping local seniors on page 15 of the most recent Edmonton Prime Times edition.  

Seniors' Centre Without Walls

This telephone-based social group for seniors offers social and health programming, free of charge, and provides seniors opportunities to socialize, learn new skills, and stay connected. Seniors' Centre Without Walls is open to seniors age 55+ living anywhere in Alberta. Additionally, Seniors' Centre Without walls is pleased to offer programming for Cantonese-speaking seniors through a partnership with the Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens Association. To see what's current, view their July calendar of events. Learn more on their website and call 780-395-2626 to register.

Aging with Pride Phone Program for 2SLGBTQ+ Seniors

Age Friendly Edmonton Activities 

Listen to The Shared Mic Podcast: This new intergenerational podcast brings together people from all ages, stages, and backgrounds to discuss topics like navigating relationships, finding space to be your true self, and the evolving role of technology in our lives. By creating space for intergenerational discussions, AFE is building a city that values, respects, and actively supports citizens from all walks of life. You can listen to The Shared Mic online or through your favourite podcast streaming service, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. 

https://thesharedmic.blubrry.net/ 

Spring Online Learning Series

Charon Consulting

Classes run May 28 - June 26

Some sessions $25 and some free

Learn something interesting and practical for spring. These seminars and information sessions cover a range of topics related to change and end of life planning, including the role of the executor, stress management, setting healthy boundaries, and more. Email hello@ginacanhelp.com or call 780-445-0104 to learn more.

Virtual Men’s Shed

Men’s Sheds Association of Edmonton, Downtown Shed

Fridays, 1 – 3 p.m.

Free

The Downtown Men’s Shed has moved meetings online. The virtual shed provides an opportunity for Edmonton men to meet for casual coffee chats and socialize over shared interests and hobbies.

This Friday, May 29 enjoy a presentation by Tom Long, a local historian and interpreter from Fort Edmonton Park.

SAY WHAT? Eight Unbelievable Stories of Edmonton’s Past

Some bits of history are just so bizarre, you can’t believe they actually happened. Take a journey through nine ridiculous stories and, in the end, guess which one of them is a fake. Truth is stranger than fiction!

If you would like to join the meeting, email Michael at michael.hoyt@edmonton.ca.

U of A MOOCs

The University of Alberta offers several free non-credit courses called Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). Courses include Astro 1010, Bugs 101, Dino 101, Mountains 1010, Introduction to the Arctic, Indigenous Canada and several paleontology topics.

EPL From Home

EPL from Home offers a variety of resources, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, eMagazines and newspapers, music, and online classes for all ages. If you do not have a library card, register for free online for immediate access to EPL's digital content. 

Open Culture

Open Culture curates and centralizes free online cultural and educational content from around the world. Their resource collections include audio books, eBooks, movies, online courses from top universities, and language learning resources.

Virtual tours of world-class museums and heritage sites

• This article in Southern Living magazine highlights virtual tours of 12 prestigious museums around the world.
• MCN has created a guide to virtual museum resources, tours, online collections, and digital archives.
• 6 Beautiful Italian museums to visit for free online
  
• This article in House Beautiful highlights virtual tours of 10 historic homes
  
• Take part in live online events hosted by the Chicago Architecture Center to learn more about Chicago’s renowned architecture, engineering and design.

Music/Theatre/Film/Literature/Culture

• The Metropolitan Opera will host free Nightly Met Opera Streams of past performances from its Live in HD series. The encore presentations will begin at 7:30 p.m. EST each night on the company’s official website and will then be available for an additional 20 hours thereafter.
• The Seattle Symphony will share free rebroadcasts of past performances via the Symphony’s social media channels on YouTube and Facebook.
• BroadwayHD has a library of hundreds of Broadway productions (paid service)
  
• CBC introduces Movie Night in Canada
  
• Online Music Education Games
• Audible presents a collection of their stories including more than 25 literary classics for free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
• Joe’s Pub Live offers a free series of live-streamed and archived performances from their stage in New York City each Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 8 PM Eastern.
• The National Film Board of Canada’s online Screening Room features more than 3,000 films that you can stream for free or downloaded for your personal use for a small fee.
  
• The Social Distancing Festival is curating an ongoing list of cultural live stream events including literature, dance, music and theatre.
• Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 p.m. Eastern l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal will stream a concert from its archive.
  
• CBC Music will be keeping an eye out for Canadian musicians' live streams and updating this list as often as possible.
• Uke 101: Learn to play the ukulele

• National Arts Centre: The NAC is broadcasting #CanadaPerforms concerts via their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter). You can also search these platforms using the #CanadaPerforms hashtag. The NAC will also share other content such as podcasts, suggested online theatre, dance and music performances, past NAC Orchestra recordings and videos. NAC Orchestra musicians will also offer individual performances and more.

• National Theatre in London presents National Theatre at Home. Every Thursday beginning April 2 they will release a new play along with bonus content including cast and creative Q&As and post-stream talks. Each week’s content will be free for one week.
  
• Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is airing professionally-filmed Shakespeare plays every two weeks for free. Other free content includes readings of Shakespeare’s works and performances of Shakespeare plays in multiple languages.

• Listen to iconic actor Sir Patrick Stewart read a Shakespeare sonnet on Twitter each day.

• Musician Martin Kerr is offering “couch concerts” broadcast from his Facebook page.

• "CreativeBug Libraries" is a virtual platform hosting arts and crafts classes. Access thousands of art and craft instructional video classes with your EPL card.

• See a new side of Edmonton by checking out the City’s virtual exhibits 

• Watch online tours of Frank Lloyd Wright sites by searching #WrightVirtualVisits on social media. Past tours will also be posted online.

• Aspiring shutterbugs can get up to speed and perfect their photography skills in this online 10-class series by Nikon.  

• Storytellers Alberta is extending its Story Calls program to July 31. Seniors who want to hear a story by phone can put in an online request, or call Doreen Vanderstoop at 403-816-6002. 

• The Stratford Festival is streaming performances of Shakespeare plays. 

• The Winspear and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra present a new digital series, Live at the Winspear: From Stage to Screen featuring ESO musicians. Check the Winspear website for live streams and video releases or watch past performances.

• The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra musicians have their own Facebook page where you can participate in Q&As and learn about the musicians. 

• Edmonton Opera at Home is a great way to indulge your passion for opera.

• Pro Coro Canada has curated a collection of their past video and audio choir performances.

• Calgary's TD JazzYYC International Jazz Days Festival is a wrap for this year, but you can still view videos of the performances  and education videos on their YouTube channel.

• Thanks to Mill Woods Seniors Association for alerting us about these free community art nights, hosted by the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts, Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m. via Zoom  

• Shumka has moved their popular Seniors Can Shumka and Silver Swans (inclusive ballet and movement) classes to an online format.

• The Canadian Play Thing is a playwright-centred virtual theatre that shares live readings of new and under-produced Canadian plays online.

• Jim Clayton has been performing nightly "piano bar" live streams since the pandemic began, where he takes requests from his growing audience. The evening includes a virtual tip jar, which goes to Glad Day Bookshop's emergency fund, helping artists, performers and tip-workers from the LGBTQ+ community. Nightly, 9 p.m. (Eastern)

• Improv House Party: Join famed Second City improvisers for a real-time, interactive, and socially “together” virtual experience. Each show allows audience members to participate and give suggestions to the performers, with hilarious results. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays; 8 p.m. (Eastern). Admission by donation.
  

• Listen to upbeat music and commentary on a new online radio station called Radio Recliner. The bonus is that all the DJs are older adults living in senior living communities across the United States!

• Quarantine Concerts: In the age of COVID-19, there’s no shortage of great virtual concerts to choose from. Whatever your jam is, this roundup of concerts is constantly being updated with new musical selections to rock or mellow out to.
  

• Electronic Story Creations: The Citadel Theatre's [esc] Series will feature electronic story creations by four different groups of artists throughout the summer.

• Traditional Country Music Tuesdays: Every Tuesday Musician Ryan Snow plays songs by the likes of Charley Pride and Ian Tyson on his Facebook page.

• Edmonton’s TD Edmonton International Jazz Festival is online for 2020. Enjoy online performances and interviews from musicians locally and around the world starting opening weekend June 19-21 and every weekend during July.
• The Calgary Folk Festival is offering online performances.

Science and Nature

• Browse NASA’s massive online collection of images, sounds, and videos
  
• The Cincinnati Zoo is hosting a series of Home Safari Facebook Live sessions which will feature their animals at 3 p.m. weekdays starting Monday, March 16. The videos are also available on their YouTube channel.
• This Forbes article provides links to live feeds of wildlife and beautiful vistas.
• The Vancouver Aquarium has set up live cams so you can visit cute, aquatic critters anytime.
• Gardening tips from Birds and Blooms: Each newsletter contains useful information, such as top 10 plant lists, butterfly gardening ideas and tips to attract more birds to your backyard. With these tips, your garden will be blooming beautifully in no time flat.

• Virtual tour of the Keukenhof Garden
  

• University of Alberta Botanic Garden: The Garden is open to visitors with operational changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All visitors must make advance reservations using the online system. Walk ups will not be permitted. This will help to manage capacity and flow of visitors in the Garden, minimize contact points, and allow for physical distancing. Reservation times will be open several weeks in advance. Learn more about safety measures and visitor guidelines.

Fitness

• Westend Seniors Activity Centre released a great 8-week fitness program including an instructional manual and accompanying videos for exercises you can do from home.
  
• Westend Seniors Activity Centre is offering online fitness classes such as Essentrics, At Home Fitness Basics, Chair Yoga, Clogging, Dancing, and Seated Fitness. See their full course list for details. For more information and to register, email programs@weseniors.ca.

• Mill Woods Seniors Association is offering online fitness classes. See full program for registration details. 

  • "Keeping Communities Together Healthy & Happy" Yoga: Monday - Friday, 7 - 8 p.m.
  • 4-Week Total Body Conditioning: Thursdays, 10 - 11 a.m. 

  • Soft Pilates: Saturdays, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
    

  • Stretch & Release: Saturdays, 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. 
    

• Edmonton Seniors Centre is offering live, instructor-led classes using Zoom. See their full program for more details. 

  • Senior Yoga: Mondays, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.; Wednesdays, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. 

  • Stress Reducing Meditation: Tuesdays, 9:30 – 10 a.m.
    

  • Chair Yoga: Wednesdays, 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.

  • Fun & Functional Movement: Tuesdays, 11 - 12 p.m.
  • Stretch: Thursdays, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m
  • Zumba Gold: Saturdays, 10 - 11 a.m. 

• Chair Zumba Gold: Edmonton Senior Centre’s longtime Zumba instructor has created a playlist on YouTube that seniors can use to participate in Chair Zumba Gold activities. The instructor will be adding to the playlist, so seniors can also subscribe to get updates when new videos are posted.

• Be Active - Warming Up for Daily Life Poster 
• Free Workout Videos (list compiled by SEESA) 
  • 20-minute seated and standing workout 
  • Seated yoga  
  • Yoga for older adults
  • Yoga for older adults    
  • Light cardio salsa   
  • 7-minute yoga for older adults  
• Keep fit with free exercise and wellbeing classes through YMCA 360
  
• Online Zumba classes with local instructor Jodi Jubinville: Monday noon and 7:30 PM, Tuesday 6:30 PM, Wednesday noon, Thursday 6:30PM and Saturday 11 AM
• Prana Yoga Studio offer classes online.
  
• The City of Edmonton has an online video series featuring gentle yoga sessions, vigorous spin classes, dance routines, and more.
• Pain BC is offering a Gentle Movement at Home program to help people with persistent pain.
• This helpful resource shows eight stretching exercises that can be done safely from home.
  

• Exercises for Balance: Balance training promotes joint stability in your knees, ankles, and hips. This can prevent a large array of injuries including sprained ankles and serious knee problems. This helpful infographic provides ideas of balance activities you can do separately or as part of a complete workout.

Religious Services

• Central Synagogue (Judaism): Friday 6:00 PM and Saturday: 9:30 AM (Shabbat) EST
• Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Anglican): Sunday: 8:30 AM (Traditional Eucharist) and 10:30 AM (Contemporary Eucharist)
• St. Joseph's Basilica (Catholic): Sunday Mass: 10:30 AM
• McKernan Baptist (Baptist): Sunday: 9:00 AM
• Hope City (Pentecostal): Sunday: 8:45AM, 10:00AM, 11:30AM
• Beulah Alliance (Alliance): Saturday: 6:30 PM, Sunday: 9:15 AM and 11 AM
• Immanuel Canadian Reformed Church (Reformed): Sunday: 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM
• Bethel Lutheran Church (Lutheran): Wednesday: 7:00 PM and Sunday: 9:45 AM
• St. Anthony's (Ukrainian Orthodox): Sunday: 9:00 AM (Divine Liturgy)
• Spiritual Seekers United in Community (United): Sunday: 10:00 AM

• Holy Cross Monastery (Russian Orthodox)

• McDougall United Church: Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

• Al Rashid Mosque (Islam)
  

  
  

Games/Puzzles/Books

• This post from Lifehacker outlines board and card games you can play online. 
• This post from Boston.com lists board games you can access online.
• Tabletopia has 800 board games including Bridge.
• Play a game of scrabble through the Internet Scrabble Club.
  

• Glass Book Shop offers free delivery to homes in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, and St. Albert with the purchase of books. 

• Audrey's Books provides free delivery for orders over $50 in Edmonton, Sherwood Park and St. Albert. 

• Table Top Cafe offers free delivery for board games/puzzles/food orders over $50, 7 days a week. Call 780-905-3577 for details.
• Each week, ElderCare Edmonton is releasing a new activity booklet for seniors. The booklets include puzzles, word searches, colouring, crafting instructions, recipes, and much more.
• Board Game Arena connects you to more than 185 board games
• Virtual Bingo
  

• Drawize (Pictionary-style game)

Socialize 

• Mill Woods Seniors Association is offering social groups online. To inquire about any of the below programs, email karen@mwsac.ca with the program name as the subject line. See program for full details!
  
  • Virtual Happy Hour: Thursdays, 4 - 5 p.m.
  • Online Conversation Circle: Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 
  • Recess Intergenerational Program: Wednesdays, 1 - 2 p.m.
• Edmonton Seniors Centre has a few new online social and activity groups on the go. See program for more information.
  • Knitters Unite: Mondays. 12:30 - 3 p.m. 
  • Joyful Chats Group: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 - 2 p.m.; Fridays, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
    
• Strathcona Place Society hosts "Wisemen and Wonderwomen" every Wednesday. Participation is free. Register by calling 780-433-5809 or emailing outreachcoordinator@strathconaplace.com.
  • Wisemen: Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
  • Wonderwomen: Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.
• YEG Night In is an upscale online experience featuring entertainment and games and activities.
• A new mobile app called Amintro is helping to tackle social isolation among seniors by providing camaraderie through peer-to-peer networking. New members answer a series of questions about their background and interests: Do they like walks or movies? Do they have grandchildren? Where did they grow up and where do they live now? After answering the questions, the apps algorithms work to connect the user to other nearby app users with similar profiles.

Health and Wellness

Misc.

• Get Cooking Edmonton offers online cooking classes. Learn to whip up decadent pavlova or make a mean batch of butter chicken. The options are endless!
  
• Coursera offers hundreds of free courses featuring on-demand video lectures, homework exercises, and community discussion forums.
• Ask the Genealogist is a great resource for genealogy buffs. This online club by the St. Alberta Public Library is a great resource to assist with your research.
• YEG Food Truck Drive Thru: June 13, 12–7 p.m. at Premium Outlet Collection (1 Outlet Collection Way). Participants are asked to stay in their vehicle to enjoy great food served up from local food trucks. Proceeds from sales will go toward the Leduc Food Bank.
  

• The National Trust for Historic Preservation highlights 15 Free Historical Colouring Books.

• The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse is hosting an Ultimate Virtual Garage Sale from June 12 until August 31

• EPL From Home presents "Making History with Your Writing": July 7, 2–3:30 p.m. Learn tricks and tips for incorporating historical facts into your writing in this free workshop. 

   

Activities and support for caregivers 

Although in-person programming has been postponed due to the pandemic, Caregivers Alberta continues to offer support through their Caregiver Advisor, online programming, and online Caregiver Support Community groups.

The Caregiver Advisor provides one-on-one support. You can connect by:

Phone: 780-453-5088 | 1-877-453-5088 (toll-free)

Email: ladams@caregiversalberta.ca

Online Workshops

Upcoming:

Upcoming workshops are posted online. Check back frequently for new dates.

How Technology Tools Can Improve Dementia Caregiving: June 30, 1– 2 p.m.

The Grief of Losing a Loved One to Dementia: June 30, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Past workshops: 

Watch past online workshops on the Caregiver Alberta YouTube channel at any time. 

Online Peer Support

• New online Caregiver Support Community groups happen each Monday and Thursday. 
• Join the Caregiver Community Facebook group to connect with caregivers from all across the province.

Well Connected by ElderCare Edmonton and Caregivers Alberta
Wednesdays, 10 - ­11 a.m.
Free
This new program provides community-based programming in a virtual setting. Stay connected by participating in activities, education, and friendly conversation. Both caregivers and care recipients are welcome to participate! Register through Eventbrite to receive a Zoom link.

Norquest Caregiver Workshops 

The college has a number of helpful workshops to help family caregivers. Workshops take place online and are offered on an ongoing basis. For more information about these courses, visit www.norquest.ca/family-caregiver.