Seniors and Older Adults

The HKPR District Health Unit is focused on promoting health and well-being of Seniors and Older Adults. We want to support seniors and older adults to lead their best lives with confidence and vitality. 

Healthy Aging

Older adults can live longer, healthier lives by taking steps to lower the risk for falls, staying socially connected, eating, and enjoying food and being active. 

Nearly half of all senior injuries occur within the home, some riskier areas are bathrooms, staircases, and living spaces. However, with some simple changes, you can greatly reduce these risks. 

It is important to identify and remove and report hazards in and around your home to prevent a fall. For example, 

  • Keep all walkways, ramps and stairs clear of clutter, wet leaves, snow, and ice. 
  • Ensure your have enough lighting. 
  • Remove needless carpets and rugs. 
  • Keep emergency phone numbers beside your telephone or an updated list in your mobile phone, if you have one. 
  • Keep a phone close to you in case there is an emergency. 

Unsure where to begin? There are resources to assist you in making your home a safer place to live. 

More information about falls and how to prevent them 

Drug interactions for your prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can cause drowsiness and dizziness, which can lead to a fall. 

  • Always keep an updated list of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications with you. 
  • Have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy, so your records are in one place.  
  • This will alert the pharmacist if a newly prescribed drug might cause an interaction with medications, you are already on. 

Review the Medication Safety—Checklist and Medications and Falls and How to Take Medicines Safely 

As we age, it's important to keep in touch with family and friends to reduce loneliness and feelings of isolation that can lead to depression, as well as mental and physical decline. 

Staying social can help to build relationships and improve your mental health. 

Engaging with others fosters a sense of belonging to a group, improves self-esteem, and helps address isolation among older adults. 

Below are tips for eating with others and staying active which also helps with social connection.  

Do you want to attend a senior’s lunch or other recreation program in your community, to meet and interact with others?  

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to reducing fall risks. Consider these strategies:

Eat Healthy Meals:

  • Follow Canada's Food Guide for balanced nutrition.
  • Avoid skipping meals to prevent weakness and dizziness.

Stay Active:

  • Engage in 30-60 minutes of moderate physical activities most days.
  • Focus on flexibility, balance, and strength.
  • Refer to Canada's Physical Activity Guide for guidance.

Use Medication Wisely:

  • Consult your doctor or pharmacist about medication side effects.
  • Adjust activities if medication makes you dizzy or sleepy.
  • Be cautious with combining medications and alcohol.

  • Tips on shopping and cooking for 1 or 2 and eating on a budget. 
  • Tips on drink plenty of water and avoid getting dehydrated. 
  • Tips on eating with others to help you to eat more of the foods that you need to stay healthy. 

Get your Guide to Healthy Eating for Older Adults created by Registered Dietitians. 

Speak to a Registered Dietitian for free at Health Connect Ontario at 8-1-1.

  • Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Connect with a local Registered Dietitian for free by visiting our page on Dietitian Support for more information. 

The best way to be mobile, stay healthy and reduce falls is to be active. 

Follow the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults. There are specific guides for adults 18-64 years and for adults 65+ years. The guide provide tips like the following:

  • Move more by taking part in average to brisk activity that gets your heart pumping and adds up to 150 minutes per week.  
  • For example, walking, swimming, running, dancing, biking, cross-country skiing and so much more. 
  • Try activities that will strengthen your muscles at least twice a week. 
  • For example, try climbing stairs, digging in the garden, lifting weights, push-ups, and curl-ups. 
  • Reduce the amount of time you are sitting and are inactive to less than 8 hours a day.  
  • And aim to have no more than 3 hours of screen time. 
  • And if you are sitting, don’t sit for long periods of time and get up and move more often. 
  • Sleep well by getting 7 to 9 hours of good-quality sleep on a regular basis. 
  • Aim to have a regular bedtime and wake-up time. 

Visit Health Canada for more physical activity tips for older adults (65 years and older) 

Find more information to keep active, prevent falls and access to meal and cooking programs. 

Access to local transportation and transit is key for older adults to live on their own their community.    

Looking for transportation options in your local community? 

Get the Help You Need for Local Community Supports and Health Services

Whether you want to be more active, prevent falls, connect with others to have a community meal, or cook together or another activity.  

Visit Ontario 211 to search for more local social services and community programs for you such as income supports. 

Need for more information?

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