New day centre for Montreal seniors aims to help fight social isolation

A day centrein Notre-Dame-de-Grce wants to break social isolation by offering the area's seniors a place to mingle and access services.

The Cavendish Seniors Day Centre has beentwo years in the making andopened last week on the corner of Cavendish Street and de Maisonneuve Boulevard.

MelanieKanisworks at the centre andsays the senior population in the area is growing and needs new ways to socialize.

"It's a place where seniors can go at any time, to get out of the house and to feel companionship.Feel that's they're loved, and important, and respected,"Kanis said.

The centre is open seven days a week, 12 hours a day a scheduleadministrators say makes it the first of its kind.

Beyond offering meals and activities for seniors, the centre has nurses and a physiotherapist to help with medical needs.

"It's a kind of one-stop shop for them," Kanissaid, noting the centre can accommodate people living independently as well as those who need the extra help.

Fighting isolation

Statistics Canada published a report in 2014calling social isolation a health risk for seniors and a growing issue in the country.

"The seniors need companionship. A lot of them come here, and they just want someone to talk to,"Kanissaid.

SandraGoodwin, a senior living in NDG, was walking by on Sunday and said she believes there area lot services for people her age in the area.

"[Still] I'm going to go.I'm going tocheck it out," she said.

Kanis said there's a need for the centre as others run by the government have been shut down.

The Ren-Cassin day centre at the Cavendish Mall, which was operated by the CLSC, closed in 2015.

Now that it isopen, the centre needsvolunteersto help keep it afloat,Kanissaid.

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