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This page is dedicated to links, information and newsletters that may be helpful to older adults in the City of Cornwall.

June is Seniors Month and to celebrate The City of Cornwall Senior Friendly Community Committee is offering the 2024 Aging Well: The Senior Health & Safety Fair at the Benson Centre on Wednesday June 19 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.  

For more information visit: sdccornwall.ca/2024seniorfair

June is also Parks and Recreation Month, the Senior Friendly Community Committee and the Recreation Department of the City of Cornwall are offering FREE Recreation, Leisure, Art and Music Programs for Older Adults during the month of June.  These programs are offered to encourage older adults in Cornwall, Akwesasne and the United Counties to stay stay active and pursue healthy lifestyles.  Please note we encourage older adults to invite family members and friends of all ages to enjoy our many special Seniors Month Concerts at the Lion`s Club Bandshell.   

Celebrating Seniors June Activity Calendar 

Seniors Month Calendar

Please click here to visit the Senior-Friendly Community's Facebook page.

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 Senior-Friendly Community Initiative

We are working to make Cornwall a more senior-friendly community!

By the year 2025, Cornwall expects that close to 30% of our population will be over the age of 65.  To prepare for this demographic shift, the City of Cornwall has been proactive in making our community more senior friendly.

In July 2015, the City of Cornwall received a $35,000 grant as part of the Ontario Government's Age-Friendly Community Planning Grant Program.  This was the maximum provincial grant allowed for medium-sized communities with populations between 20,000 and 99,000 residents.

Through consultation with over 700 Cornwall older adults, this grant was used to develop a comprehensive action plan to address both the current and future needs of older residents in Cornwall. The Senior Friendly Community Implementation Plan was adopted by City council in February 2017, and it has identified specific practical recommendations that will ensure Cornwall remains a safe, affordable, accessible and enjoyable City for everyone. 

Click here to view the Senior Friendly Implementation Plan.
 Older adult-friendly volunteer opportunities

The following organizations have self-identified as senior-friendly. They welcome volunteers who are seniors (65+), have opportunities within Cornwall, offer training and/or supervision to their volunteers, and offer their volunteers recognition for their work.

If you are interested in volunteering for one of these organizations, please contact them directly through the website or phone number provided.

Senior Friendly Community Committee

You can find all the minutes and agendas from past Senior Friendly Community Committee meetings by clicking here.
Older Adult Clubs and Educational Organizations

The following organizations may be of interest to older adults. Please direct any questions you have about these organizations to the organizations themselves.

 

The following is a list of other clubs, groups, or organizations that may be of interest to older adults in Cornwall. They are not necessarily run by the City of Cornwall, nor are they restricted to seniors. You can find more about each of them by clicking the links below:
 Links for older adults

The following programs and information may be of interest to Cornwall seniors. Click for more!

Non-City Links

Community Programs, Initiatives & Organizations

Government Ministries

Health 
 Safety tips for older adults

Crimes such as break and enter, assault, robbery and fraud are always hard on the victim. For those citizens who are older and may be living on fixed incomes, these problems are especially difficult.

Preventative Measures

  • Instead of receiving cheques through the mail on a regular basis, arrange to have them sent to your bank or trust company for direct deposit.
  • Arrange to have your rent and other monthly bills automatically deducted from your account.
  • Do not carry a purse.
  • Never carry large sums of money or valuables on you or in your purse.
  • When opening your purse in a shop or a bank, never allow anyone to see how much money you're carrying.
  • Don't leave purses unattended in shopping carts or on store counters.
  • If someone grabs your purse, do not resist.
  • Use a bank safety deposit box for valuables and important documents.
  • Use a "buddy system" when going out to the bank or shopping. If a close friend or relative dies, never assume their debts. Con artists keep track of debts and attempt to fraudulently obtain monies on this basis. Have someone appointed to take care of all of these matters.

Fraud

Fraud is often directed at older adults because the con artist takes advantage of circumstances that make older adults more vulnerable. Financial situations, health needs or the reliance on others to do home repairs can make older adults potential targets of con games.

To Protect Yourself:

  • Check and verify the identity of all visitors or salespeople to your home.
  • Don't do business with people who approach you first.
  • If you are asked to sign any cheques or documents, ensure that it is for a legitimate reason. If in doubt, check with a trusted friend, lawyer, accountant or the police.
  • Don't call a "900" number. Calling a "900" number is NOT a free call.
  • Never give your credit card number, bank information or social insurance number for "verification" purposes.
  • Don't send companies money for taxes. Taxes are not paid on Canadian prize winnings.
  • Be wary of any "nice" stranger if the conversation deals with money.
  • Say "no" to charities if you don't know who you're dealing with or where the money is going. A common trick is to use a name similar to a well-known charity. Before donating money, ask for the identification of the charity and the solicitor. All legitimate charities are registered.
  • Don't give money at the door.
Other Con Games

The Home Repair Person - offers a free inspection and then advises you that you need major repair work done immediately. All that is needed is cash in advance.

  • Obtain References - visit other homes where the contractor has finished the type of repairs being contemplated and speak to the owners about the contractor's performance.
  • Obtain a Detailed Written Contract - including exact details of the work to be completed, a completion date, the agreed upon price, and any deposits made. Both the homeowner and the contractor should sign the contract and a copy retained by each.
  • An Agreed Upon Payment Plan Should Be In Place - most contractors require an initial deposit to purchase materials; however, final payment should not be made until the work is completed, as specified in the contract.
  • Check their credentials with the Better Business Bureau.
  • Never pay for work in advance.
  • Get several other estimates before signing any contract
  • Remember, the best price is not always the best deal!

The Service Person - tries to come into your home to check your phone lines, gas lines, etc.

  • Don't open your door to strangers. Call and verify the information. Most legitimate companies will call for an appointment.

The Phony Bank Inspector or Police Officer - will call requesting you to withdraw cash in order to help them catch a dishonest employee. You'll turn over your cash to this party and never see it again.

  • NO financial institution or police department will call requesting customers to withdraw cash for investigative purposes.

Telephone Fraud - someone you don't know will telephone you with an offer too good to refuse. You can either send cash or pay using your credit card. You wait for the product to arrive, but it never does, or it's not quite what you expected.

  • Don't buy unsolicited items sight unseen over the phone.

Free Trip/Prize Scam - you receive a call or letter congratulating you for winning a boat, car, or trip. In order to collect the prize you must pay a service fee or tax. You send in your money but you will never see your prize.

  • No legitimate contest requires you to pay any money to claim a prize.

Medical Fraud - Seniors are targeted for alleged 'good deals' on health or medical items.

  • Take their information and ask your doctor for advice.

IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.

  • Do not give in to high pressure sales.
  • You wouldn't tell a stranger the story of your life. Don't provide personal information over the phone or to anyone at the door.
The Cornwall Police Service can help.

For further information about fraud check their website at www.cornwallpolice.com

Always contact the police if you encounter any suspicious people or activities.

For more information on this subject, please contact:

Crime Reduction and Community Partnerships
340 Pitt Street, Cornwall,
Ontario, K6H 5T7

Phone: 613-933-5000
Fax: 613-930-7430
Email: prevention@cornwallpolice.com

 Older Adults: Be Prepared for an Emergency

Please click here to view the City of Cornwall's Emergency Preparedness page.

Step 1 - Make a Plan

  • In an emergency, you may not have access to everyday conveniences, and you may be asked to evacuate your home. Thinking about what you would do is the first step to being prepared.
  • Your plan should include two safe locations in case you have to leave your home. Prepare a family communications plan and a list of people in your personal support network.
  • When your plan is ready, discuss it with family and friends, practice your plan, be aware, and follow instructions.

Step 2 - Build an Emergency Kit

  • Food (non-perishable items for three days)
  • Water (4 litres per person for each day)
  • Medication(s)
  • Flashlight
  • Radio
  • Extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
  • Important papers (identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions)
  • Extra car keys and cash
  • Whistle (to attract attention if needed)

For more information, please visit ontario.ca/beprepared by clicking here.

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