Now in its second year, Community Care Concepts’ Seniors Lunch Club is returning to the Woolwich Memorial Centre on September 16 after a summer hiatus. But will its membership return with it?
“I would say, if anything, we’ve got a bit smaller,” said Darlene Frede, coordinator of the program. “We would love to have more people come. Right now, there are approximately 25-30 people coming fairly regularly, but we would be happy to see it up to around 50.”
“I don’t know what the factors are for why it’s declined a little bit. I know that the Seniors Centre [also at the WMC] is finding it a little the same way, that their numbers have declined a bit.”
Frede, however, doesn’t think these numbers are something to be concerned about.
“I know that there’s always fluctuation,” she said. “Somebody might be coming to a lunch in June, but by September they may have gone to the hospital or moved into assisted living, and are unable to attend.”
Community Care Concepts hosts similar lunch clubs throughout the Woolwich, Wellesley, and Wilmot townships, with two seniors lunches in each township each month. Determining whether seniors represent a demographic that is generally underserved depends on the community, she noted.
“Some have more opportunities for seniors. In Woolwich Township, there are opportunities for seniors. But in general, seniors are perhaps always vulnerable, and susceptible to isolation and loneliness.”
All of which makes services like the lunch club more important, Frede said.
“It provides an opportunity for seniors who are still in their homes and living independently to come out and have a social time. For some people who are maybe isolated and living alone, it’s the opportunity for them to maybe come and have a lunch with friends for a reasonable cost.”
The next Seniors Community Dining event will be held September 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the Woolwich Memorial Centre’s community room. Cost is $6. For more information, contact Community Care Concepts at 519-664-1900.
