Welcome to the HCoA Summer 2025 Newsletter!☀️
In this edition, we reflect on Seniors Month—celebrated in June across Ontario—as part of our ongoing commitment to recognizing the vital contributions of older adults in our community all year long. You’ll also find helpful tips for staying safe during extreme heat, insights on delirium awareness, a spotlight on the inspiring Grandmothers of Steel, and ways to connect with local programs and services. Plus, don’t miss your invitation to join us at the upcoming 2025 Senior Wellness Fair & Walk for Health!
If this is your first time reading our newsletter, welcome! At the Hamilton Council on Aging, we work to make positive aging visible in our community. You can learn more about us on our website and catch up on our last newsletter here.
Celebrating Seniors All Year Round!
By Ashley Sumler
While June is officially recognized as Seniors Month in Ontario, we continue to celebrate the contributions of older adults in our communities all year long. Last month, we took time to acknowledge the vital role that seniors play in creating an age-friendly community where everyone can thrive—by promoting well-being, health, and social connectedness.
Seniors Month serves as an important reminder to bridge generational divides, value the knowledge and talents of older adults, and honour their ongoing legacy in our communities. The Hamilton Council on Aging remains committed to amplifying the voices of seniors, highlighting opportunities to get involved, and celebrating their continued contributions every day.
Recreation and social programs continue to run throughout the summer at seniors’ centres and other community spaces across Hamilton. Now is the perfect time to try something new! If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few resources to get you going:
Older Adult 55+ Programs | City of Hamilton– Summer Calendar of Events
Find a Seniors Active Living Centre program near you | ontario.ca
Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario
Seniors Centres & Clubs | City of Hamilton
Seniors Social Participation Guide Hamilton
Older Adults Should Take Special Care During Extreme Heat Events
By HCoA Outreach Committee
Changes in our climate have led to more frequent extreme heat events for all of us to adapt to. Extreme outdoor heat impacts everyone, but older adults are at higher risk of heat-related illness. As we age, our bodies cope with heat differently and this can lead to heat-related illness. In 2021, British Columbia experienced a heat dome. Extreme heat began on June 24, 2021 and lasted through to July 1, 2021. During this period, 619 deaths were identified as heat-related, 98% of the deaths occurred indoors and 67% of the deaths happened to people over the age of 70.
The City of Hamilton and news outlets warn of impending heat events and there are a few things you can do to prepare before the extreme heat arrives. If you take medication, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about how your medication affects your risk for heat-related illness. If you have an air conditioner, make sure it works properly. Ceiling fans or other fans can help keep you cool if the temperature is not too high. If you don’t have an air conditioner, plan for an air-conditioned place to visit, such as a friend’s home, a library, or community centre during heat events. Even a few hours every day in air conditioning helps.
It is important to take steps to reduce your risk of heat-related illness during periods of extreme heat. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated. Go to an air-conditioned place if you do not have air conditioning (e.g., a library or community centre). If the outdoor air is cooler than the indoor air, you can use a fan and open your windows to let air circulate. Take a bath or shower with cool water. If this is not possible, run cool water over your wrists or put your arms or feet in cool water. To keep your home cooler, close blinds or curtains and cook outside instead of heating up your home by turning on the stove or oven. If you go outside, wear a hat and loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. You should also limit outdoor physical activity and instead stay active indoors at recreation centres, indoor pools or Senior Centres.
Stay connected. Checking in on neighbours, friends, and family during periods of extreme heat to make sure they are okay will help to reduce risk of heat-related illness. You can check on people in person or by telephone. Never leave pets or children alone in closed vehicles, especially when it is hot outside.
Be sure to pay attention to the radio, TV, local newspaper, and the City of Hamilton website (www.hamilton.ca), social media for Public Health (@hamiltonpublichealthservices) and the City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) for heat warnings or extended heat warnings. You will find tips, and services available in the community to beat the heat.
Extreme heat can cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or death. Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, fatigue, weak pulse, fainting, vomiting, and your skin may be cold, pale, and clammy. If you are experiencing symptoms, get help right away – call 911 for immediate help.
The City of Vancouver suggests one way to prepare for extreme heat is to create a Cool Kit. This kit includes a few items to help cool down when it is hot:
- A bin to use as a foot bath or to soak extremities in cool water
- Ice packs
- Thermometer to be aware of the temperature in your home
- Cooling towels
- Personal spray bottle
- Important information (e.g., contact information for your doctor, pharmacist, friends, and neighbors) so it is easily accessible.
- A water bottle
For more information, and more items to include in your own Cool Kit, visit https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/cool-kit-build-your-own-instructions.pdf
For Hamilton specific resources and extreme heat information, please visit www.hamilton.ca/heat The Hamilton Council on Aging’s mission is to advance the health, well-being and social participation of ALL older adults. For more information or to donate, please visit Hamilton Council on Aging | (coahamilton.ca)
Clear Minds: Raising Delirium Awareness in Older Adults
By Yasmin Khalili
World Delirium Awareness Day is observed globally, bringing health and delirium experts together to educate medical staff and the general public. Delirium is a sudden and severe state of confusion that affects memory, perception and attention. It is not a normal part of aging, but is common among older adults, especially those hospitalized or managing chronic illnesses.
This March 12, 2025, under the theme “Clear Minds: Raising Delirium Awareness,” we emphasize the need for early recognition, prevention, and management. By understanding what delirium is, identifying its signs, and knowing what steps to take to help prevent and manage it, we can better support our loved ones and ensure they receive the care they need.
Many of us have seen an elderly family member or friend act strangely during or after an illness or hospital stay—perhaps they became unusually confused, anxious, or even aggressive. I remember visiting my uncle after he was discharged from the hospital and being shocked when he couldn’t recognize his own apartment. He kept insisting that he wanted to go back home, even though he was already there. It was unsettling to witness, and our family worried about what was happening to him.
I’ve also encountered many patients with delirium. I recall a patient who was under the impression that his bed was on fire. The fear in his eyes was heartbreaking, and his distress affected everyone around him. In another instance, a patient was very confused after surgery, saying things that didn’t make sense, mistaking family members for other people, and he kept questioning why he was in the hospital. His wife was terrified that it might be the start of dementia, but the doctor and the treating team explained that it was delirium. Understanding that delirium could be treated and was not necessarily a sign of permanent cognitive decline brought them some relief, but they wished they had known more about it beforehand.
Unlike dementia, which develops gradually, delirium comes on quickly and fluctuates throughout the day. Delirium is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention and has distinct characteristics, including: Sudden onset: Symptoms appear quickly, often over hours or days; Fluctuating symptoms: A person may seem fine one moment and confused the next; Disorganized thinking: They may struggle to focus, follow conversations, or recall information; Hallucinations and delusions: Seeing or hearing things that are not there is common; Emotional changes: Some individuals become agitated and aggressive, while others become quiet and withdrawn and Disrupted sleep patterns: Sleeping more during the day and being awake at night is a frequent sign.
Delirium often results from a combination of factors, such as infections, dehydration, pain, medication side effects, surgery, or even an unfamiliar environment. Hospital stays, particularly in intensive care units, are a major risk factor, as are chronic illnesses like dementia, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease.
The good news is that delirium can often be prevented with simple, proactive steps. If you have an elderly loved one at home or in the hospital, here are ways to help: Stay hydrated: dehydration can contribute to confusion; Encourage good sleep habits: Expose them to natural daylight and limit naps during the day; Maintain a familiar environment: Surrounding them with familiar people, objects, and routines can reduce confusion; Manage medications carefully: Some medications, especially those that cause drowsiness, can trigger delirium. Make sure you consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new medication; Promote physical activity: Even small movements and short walks can help maintain cognitive function; Address infections early: Common infections, like urinary tract infections and pneumonia, can lead to delirium; Keep the mind stimulated by doing activities such as playing cards, crossword puzzles or word searches. If in the hospital, enquire about programs such as Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), which offers therapeutic activities to prevent delirium delivered by highly trained volunteers.
If you notice signs of delirium in a loved one, seek medical help immediately. Delirium can worsen quickly and may indicate an underlying medical problem that needs urgent attention.
Here are five things you can do:
- Reach out to a doctor, nurse, or a healthcare provider to discuss symptoms.
- If symptoms are severe, take them to the emergency department.
- Provide recent illnesses, medications, and behavioral changes to doctors.
- Stay with them – a familiar face can be reassuring and help reduce anxiety.
- Advocate for delirium screening – many hospitals have protocols for assessing and managing delirium, and families should also ask about it.
Many people dismiss delirium as a normal part of aging or assume it’s permanent, but in reality, it is often reversible if treated early. Unfortunately, delirium remains underdiagnosed and poorly understood. Increased awareness leads to better prevention, earlier detection, and improved management—ultimately enhancing the quality of life for older adults and their families.
Yasmin Khalil, RN, MSc., Clinical Nurse Specialist, Hospital Elder Life Program, Hamilton Health Sciences. Yasmin is a volunteer with the Hamilton Council on Aging.
The Grandmothers of Steel
By Anne Pollard
Hello! We are Grandmothers of Steel, part of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Our name connects us to this wonderful city of Hamilton, but it also connects us to grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa, who, with STEELY determination, face the ongoing HIV and AIDS epidemic head-on. These women care for family and community members impacted by the virus, advocating for health and human rights in their countries to combat the root causes of HIV. Guided by the values of anti-colonialism, anti-racism, solidarity, optimism, courage, and respect, we here in Canada support the African grandmothers in their vital work.
As a member group of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, we generate support and raise awareness of this terrible health crisis. In doing so, we share a common commitment and sense of sisterhood with grandmothers in Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Kenya, and more.
Being a member of Grandmothers of Steel is volunteering at its best. We are women helping women. Our contributions enable women to make significant changes and improvements in their lives and in their communities. As group members, we also enjoy spending time together, caring for and about each other. Being a member of Grandmothers of Steel is a richly rewarding experience AND you don’t have to be a grandmother to join!
To learn more about Grandmothers of Steel, call 905-765-5487 or email trandles@rogers.com.
To learn more about the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, visit www.stephenlewisfoundation.org, www.grandmotherscampaign.org, www.grandmothersofsteel.com.
To see us in action, and/or to participate, watch out for our upcoming event, “Live Your Best Life: The Power of Connection,” coming October 4, 2025.
We look forward to hearing from you!
“Tap” Into Key Programs and Services!
By Shelagh Kiely
We’re excited to share a new, easy-to-use resource created to help older adults, and anyone, connect with programs and services in Hamilton: “Tap into Programs and Services for Seniors in Hamilton!” This two-sided postcard was launched on June 4, 2025, at the Age-Friendly Hamilton Seniors Kickoff Event:
The postcard was developed in partnership by the Age-Friendly Hamilton Collaborative Goal 3 Champions, the Seniors Advisory Committee, and the Hamilton Council on Aging. It features essential phone numbers and website links, including 211 Ontario, Health Connect Ontario (811), and the City of Hamilton’s seniors webpage – all designed to help people access support quickly and confidently, whether online or by phone.
Special thanks to the design team: Seniors Advisory Committee members Alex Huang, David Broom, and Penelope Petrie; and Age-Friendly Hamilton Goal 3 (Information & Communication) Champions Annette Huizinga (211 Ontario), Chris D’Agostino (Hamilton Public Library), Lisa Maychak (City of Hamilton), and Shelagh Kiely (Hamilton Council on Aging). A standout idea came from Annette, who suggested highlighting the “11” phone numbers, an idea the group embraced, learning about some services for the first time themselves!
This postcard responds directly to a common challenge: many older adults in Hamilton don’t know where to turn for support. Barriers like digital access, isolation, language, and complicated systems can get in the way. This simple tool is a step toward closing those gaps and ensuring more older adults feel informed and empowered.
You’ll find the postcards at seniors centres, libraries, and partner agencies across the city. We hope to get this helpful resource into as many hands as possible!
To request a postcard or learn more, contact Shelagh Kiely, Projects Manager, Hamilton Council on Aging: shelagh@hamiltoncoa.com, 905-920-7721
Take Part: HCoA Wellness Fair & Walk for Health!
By HCoA Sustainability Committee
