Caring for others should never mean sacrificing your own well-being. Every day, we see grandparents help raise their grandchildren, yet we rarely see the same level of care extended back to them. Many older adults face mobility and cognitive challenges with little to no support. As a result, their well-being is left in limbo.

At BGC East Scarborough, we refused to accept this idea. Our initial goal was simple: to engage older adults. It started with 10 participants, but now more than 150 older adults, ages 55 to 80, join us Monday through Friday, eager to rediscover themselves.

But growth is only in the beginning. Our continued goal is to sustain support for our participants’ physical, mental, and emotional health.

The best way for the Older Adults Program to be sustained was to give our participants a voice. We have an Older Adults Committee to speak about what they need. We stress that older adults have the right to make decisions, while also having assistance.

We decided that the program should be free, simple to join, and available both in-person and online, making it accessible to participants of all mobility and mental capabilities.

To strengthen support for a fulfilling life, we designed four core pillars: physical wellness, social connection, mental wellness, and technology.

Older adults are told to stay active but rarely shown how. The Public Health Code also recommends 30 minutes of daily physical activity for older adults. We fixed this discrepancy by meeting participants where they are.

We offer a rotating lineup of low-impact but energizing activities like Zumba, Yoga, Bollywood Dancing, Boxing, Pickleball, and Guided Walks. These sessions are designed to be adaptable, so whether it’s working out in a chair or a group walk, our focus is on capability.

We are wired to be social creatures, and that need doesn't fade with age. Loneliness is one of the most pressing issues facing older adults, and BGCES tackles it head-on.

Through group activities like Bingo, Jeopardy, Trivia, Virtual Tours, Coffee Meets, and Short Film Discussions, we spark these connections while also engaging our participants in friendly competitions.

A healthy mindset is essential for aging. That’s why we offer memory games, gardening sessions, cultural cooking classes, and creative outlets like crocheting, beading, and painting. These aren’t just hobbies; they’re exercising self-expression and mental focus.

We also bring in guest speakers to discuss aging-related topics, educating participants about physical and cognitive changes.

The idea that older adults can’t use technology is tiring for our participants and BGCES. So instead, we equip our participants with the skills they need to navigate the digital world with confidence.

From identifying scams, financial literacy, to joining Zoom calls, our tech workshops are practical. We also don’t stop at Scarborough. Thanks to our virtual offerings, older adults across cities, and even across borders, are logging in and connecting in real time.

We’ve seen the life-changing power of this program. As the Older Adults Program Facilitator, Chitra recalls:

“We have a program participant, paralyzed on one side after a stroke, who rediscovered her love of painting through our online art class. She proudly held her work up to the camera. It’s often the smallest moments like that that make the biggest differences in our program.”

Our team works tirelessly to keep this momentum going, supported by dedicated partners. Still, we face the reality of limited funding. When resources run low, our team shares YouTube links to make sure no one is left out. When the budget tightens, we tighten our planning, not our care.

We’re proud of what we’ve built, but we know our work is far from done. We aim to serve more older adults in Scarborough and ensure that every participant has consistent access to the necessary tools and support networks.

So, if you are an older adult or know one, this is your invitation. Join us. If you’re a potential partner or donor, this is your opportunity to take action. Because everyone deserves a community that sees them, values them, and helps them thrive, especially in the later chapters of life.