TORONTO With a firm belief that age is just a number, the Goan Overseas Association (G.O.A.) in Canada has been conducting various programmes and events for the youth and senior citizens alike, to ensure all members are active and an integral part of the Goan community.
As part of this initiative, the G.O.A. has set up the ‘Silver Linings’ a programme for senior Goan citizens in Toronto.
“The ‘Silver Linings’ programme is funded by the Government of Canada to promote volunteerism, engage seniors through mentoring others, awareness of elder abuse, financial literacy and support the social participation and inclusion of all seniors,” explains G.O.A. President Selwyn Collaco.
The G.O.A. has been conducting various activities to meet the needs of the seniors in the Goan community and the programme runs every Wednesday at the Goan Community Centre, which is free for all seniors.
G.O.A. Director of Retirees Greta Dias, who manages all activities for the seniors, ensures that senior members of the community have been engaged on-line and now in person.
She has worked tirelessly to ensure that no one feels alone or isolated. Seniors are her passion, and she has made an impactful difference in the lives of older adults in the community.
“The ‘Home Care Workshop’ helps seniors continue to live their best lives in their own homes with care uniquely tailored to meet their needs, while the ‘Online Computer Literacy Classes’ provides basic computer skills, accessing email, using search engines, joining social media platforms (eg, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter),” says Dias.
“The ‘Health and Wellness Forum’ has been an exciting collaboration of health, financial, estate planning and social care organisations delivering thought-provoking insights, open conversations and the chance for attendees to be better informed about facilities available to them.”
Dias said info booths were set-up with literature that addressed the needs of the community, financial, estate planning, available homecare services, hearing and essential healthcare products.
“In addition to these activities, the seniors are offered ‘Active Living’ programmes like low level Zumba fitness classes and Line Dancing classes. ‘Social Activities’ like cards, carom, pool, crafts, art and board games are available to all. ‘Social Events’ are also conducted on a quarterly basis at the centre or on-line,” says Dias.
Dias says the G.O.A. Retirees has a monthly Forever Young Newsletter filled with articles, memories of the past, recipes, blooming gardens and so much more, to engage the senior Goan citizens.
“Community Rosary is recited online every Saturday,” says Dias.
