More than 1,200 students from the Toronto District School Board and the community are involved in Friendly Visiting programs within nursing homes, homes for the aged, retirement homes, hospitals, health care centres and seniors buildings.

Many of these programs serve frail and cognitively impaired elderly. TIGP has expanded its multi-cultural friendly visiting programs to include Chinese-speaking communities.

To prepare for the program, teachers and students participate in a “sensitivity to aging” session. They are given opportunities to test their knowledge of aging-related issues. Myths and stereotypes of aging in today’s society are explored. The seniors are given the opportunity to learn about today’s children and youth and both form positive opinions and attitudes about each other.

Our staff work with teachers and institutional staff to develop program content that is appropriate for the age levels of the children and the physical and cognitive abilities of the seniors involved in the programs.

Icebreakers and “getting to know you” activities ensure that meaningful, interactive relationships are built.

The students and seniors engage in many age-appropriate, social, recreational activities that are curriculum connected. The opportunities are endless. Examples include:

storytelling, oral and written
writing biographies, interviewing
    seniors, reminiscing
crafts and activities related to monthly
    themes or festivities
growing together through gardening
    experiences
drama and music
games, social interaction

Many long-term and caring relationships have been developed between the students and seniors. Some of the students continue to visit their senior partners during the summer and other holiday periods.

To pre-register for a program at your location click here

For more information on Friendly Visiting programs please contact: diana@tigp.org

This program is funded by the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (TCLHIN) and the City of Toronto.