Hello SHIH Readers

In this Update, we will provide you with (1) a link to the Report on our Primary Care Questionnaire, (2) share the latest developments about Village Canada, (3) circulate information about AdaptExpo, a May 9 event to be held at Carleton that may be of interest, and also (4) inform you of important Council on Aging Ottawa material. 

So down to business….

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1. Report on Primary Care Questionnaire

In February 2026, the Seniors Health Innovations Hub Primary Care Team emailed the Primary Care Questionnaire (PCQ) to 563 individuals, 493 of whom were subscribers to the SHIH communications.  The purpose was to learn more about their access to a primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner).  Related issues such as satisfaction with care, barriers to care and, for those who were not connected, knowledge about how to access primary care were also explored.

We received responses from 238 individuals. The majority of respondents (90%) were 65 years or older and the vast majority (94%) had access to primary care.  Overall, 93% of those with a primary care provider were satisfied with their care with the majority (66%) being “very satisfied” and 27% being “somewhat satisfied”.  Although most had access to primary care, various barriers including appointment scheduling and distance were identified.  Seventy-one percent (71%) were not worried about the imminent retirement of their PCP and being able to find a replacement; however, others expressed concern.

The complete Report, including our proposed action items, has been posted on the Primary Care Team webpage.

2. Village Canada 

Bring on the Community Support Letters!

The Board of the Old Ottawa South Community Association (OSCA) supported Village Canada in a letter to Canada Lands Company, copied to the political representatives at all levels. OSCA President, Susan Mendelson, offers OSCA’s “full support of this important and exciting initiative” in the letter.

The Village Canada Consortium Board (VCC) is grateful to Anna Cuylits, chair of Senior Watch Old Ottawa South, for arranging our presentation to the Board.

We encourage other central Ottawa community associations to consider sending a letter of support to Canada Lands Company or to contact us for more details. The options for older adults to downsize are few and to downsize into a supportive non-profit housing environment such as that planned by Village Canada is rarer still.

Consortium Comes Together to Strategize

On April 16, the VCC Board and more than 20 non-profit organizations, service providers and academics came together for a meeting hosted by the RA Centre, a member of the Consortium.

The slide “Imagine the Possibilities” illustrates the federally owned data centre property at 875 Heron Road that we propose be developed for inter-generational seniors housing. It comprises 2 heritage buildings and is surrounded by 23 acres, a portion of the Confederation Heights’ 465 acres. We are asking that CLC provide a 99-year lease on the buildings and 23 acres to VCC or the Ottawa Community Land Trust to enable the project to proceed.

The meeting was an opportunity for our newly appointed seven-member Board to strategize with the various groups who want to either provide housing or health/support services to a range of diverse populations in our community.  We were joined by several new non-profit housing groups representing the performing arts population, persons with disabilities, and those providing shelter to women and children.

It is expected that Phase 1 will be initiated this year when Canada Lands Company asks for Expressions of Interest in those buildings. In preparation for that, VCC has been contacting architects, builders and developers to assist in the pre-planning. It appears that there would be space in the two buildings for most of the interested organizations.

Phase 2, development of the surrounding property, will be at a later time, after CLC has had the secondary plan approved and prepared the site for development. Many of the Consortium are more interested in the new building that will occur at that time.

The total population of Village Canada is expected to be between 1500 – 2000 residents, mainly seniors living independently in non-profit, subsidized and market rate homes. This vision leads to the third subject of the Village Canada update, the dismal lack of seniors housing options in central Ottawa and what we can do about it.

Dismal Lack of Seniors Housing Options in Central Ottawa

At the recent meeting of Consortium members, non-profit organizations for populations who need assistance in getting proper accommodation were well represented. We realized, however, that we are missing representatives of the 50 – 70% of our future population of older adults who will occupy unsubsidized accommodation.

We know that this group is out there. In 2020, Senior Watch Old Ottawa South did a housing survey and many residents wanted to move to smaller and newer accommodation in the area. Some lamented the lack of affordability but most were concerned about lack of choice. More than 77% said they would be interested in being part of a community and sharing common spaces and living responsibilities.

In 2023, the Seniors Health Innovations Hub undertook a Community Feedback Questionnaire about healthy aging in central Ottawa. What emerged was a need for housing of the type that the Village envisions – affordable, with medical supports, amenities for exercise, gardening and hobbies. 

Village Canada would like to offer a range of housing options to older adults from small to large rentals at subsidized and market rates, co-ops, co-housing, life leases. We also want to offer housing that provides a range of supports from independent living to greater levels of care.

Given the silence of the majority of you living with concern about your next move, we will be contacting you again through this Update and recruiting others through mailing lists of Community Associations, older adult organizations and your counsellor’s newsletters.  If you want to help shape our vision of non-profit, market-rate housing we will be asking for your contact info without any expectation that you want to live there or help in its creation.  We need an indication of the demand for this housing and your preferences.

If you want to stay up to date on developments with Village Canada, check the Village Canada page on the SHIH website.

3. AdaptExpo – Saturday May 9, 2026 – Carleton University Field House

We received information about this event from Ann Good, a name that many of you may recognize. In May 2022, Ann was the expert panelist on home care for the Capital Ward’s Older Adult Forumhosted by Shawn Menard. 

Ann highly recommends this event and linked us to Catherine at BUILDABLE, an Ottawa business that focuses on “accessible renovations” amongst others, who summarized the event as: This Expo is for ALL AGES and ALL ABILITIES.  It is especially helpful for seniors, caregivers, people with disabilities or life-altering diagnoses such as MS, Parkinson, ALS, arthritis, etc., as well as health-care professionals.  

AdaptExpo Features:  

• Free Admission,
• Free Parking in P5,
• Free Tea and Coffee,
• Free SWAG Bags for the first 400 attendees,
• 150 Exhibitors (many resources to help Age at Home Safely)
• Free Foot Care Clinics and Fall Assessment Clinics, and much more!

For more information see the AdaptExpo site.

4. Council on Aging of Ottawa

The SHIH has always been impressed by the Council on Aging (COA) of Ottawa and wants to ensure that you are aware of their activities. Below are words provided by the COA to describe their activities for our readers.

Older adults are a valued, diverse, and growing part of Ottawa. Since 1975, the Council on Aging (COA) has been at the forefront of advancing their wellbeing. With a strong and constructive voice, the COA advocates for meaningful change. Working with older adults, community groups, and the City, the COA helps create solutions that respond to their needs.

Their vision is to have respected, informed, and engaged older adults living in an age-friendly city.

Advocacy is at the heart of the Council. Through their committees, they listen to older adults and learn from their experiences. They use these insights, research, and the knowledge of partner organizations to determine priorities. Leaders are informed, and resources are created to shape policy and raise awareness. Click here to explore their age-friendly committees.

The COA offers education to help older adults learn and stay informed.

• Smart Aging is a series of workshops on key topics facing older adults today. Each workshop provides you with the information you need before you need it and helps you make smart choices at key transition points in your life. You can learn more about Smart Aging here: https://coaottawa.ca/smart-aging/

• Southwinds Café welcomes older adults to connect, learn, and ask questions. These sessions feature experts who share practical information to help seniors as they age.

• Gear Up teaches older drivers to stay safe, confident, and independent on the road. It includes the 55 Alive Driver Refresher Course and CarFit clinic.

You can learn about upcoming events of the Council on Aging here: https://coaottawa.ca/events/

Signing off for now…

On behalf of the Seniors Health Innovations Hub, we hope this Update finds you well and anticipating the summer ahead. 

We hope you found this Update informative, we’d appreciate hearing from you. Or if you have ideas for us or just to say hello, please contact us using this Form.

Margaret Tansey (chair)

Anna Cuylits

Carolyn Inch

Patricia Eakins

Peter Heyck

Terrance Hunsley