Older Adult Services

Quick links:

  1. Adult Day Services
  2. Friendly Visiting Program
  3. Without Walls WOW Program
  4. Older Adult Strategy
  5. Age-Friendly
  6. Grandparents Month

The City of Cambridge offers a wide variety of programs for older adults and adults with disabilities who are looking to enhance their quality of life. We are committed helping older adults in our community remain healthy and age with dignity; participating in initiatives that aim to address all of the dimensions of wellness, as we continue our work toward ensuring social participation and inclusion. 

The City of Cambridge is a member of the World Health Organization Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. As such, we are focused on building a community where policies, services and spaces are designed to enable people of all ages to live in secure and accessible physical and social environments. Age-friendly communities contribute to good health and allow people to participate fully in society throughout their lifetime. Learn more about Age-Friendly initiatives in Cambridge. 

50+ Recreation Centres

50+ Recreation Centres offer a variety of great activities for active older adults. Whether you are looking to get fit or stay fit, learn a new instrument or art form, expand your knowledge or enjoy a friendly game of cards, we have something for everyone.

 

Allan Reuter Centre (ARC)

David Durward Centre (DDC)

Ted Wake Centre (TWC)

William E. Pautler Centre (WEPC)

Address

507 King Street East

62 Dickson Street

31 Kribs Street

1145 concession Road

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Features and Amenities
  • Variety of Activity Rooms
  • Billiard/Pool Table
  • Dining Area
  • Lounge Area
  • Kitchen
  • Tuck Shop
  • State of the Art Woodworking Shop
  • Variety of Activity Rooms
  • Conditioning Room
  • Lounge Area
  • Pool Tables
  • Quilting Studio
  • Kitchen
  • Tuck shop
  • State of the Art Woodworking Shop
  • David Durward Centre 2026 Parking Pass can be purchased for $17.34

 

  • Variety of Activity Rooms
  • Conditioning Room
  • Lounge Area
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor Garden Patio

 

  • Gymnasium 
  • Conditioning Room
  • Walking Track

Contact Information

Email: 50plus@cambridge.ca 

Phone: (519) 623-1340

  • ARC: ext. 4406
  • DDC: ext. 4360
  • TWC: ext. 4464
  • WEPC: ext. 4722
  • Older Adult Services: ext. 4397

Check out all the programs, clubs and events that the 50+ Recreation Centres offer. 

Follow our 50+ Facebook page for lots of great info and events.

50+ Annual Memberships

Benefits of Membership:

  • Valid at four 50+ Recreation Centres 
  • Receive 15% off discount on registered activities
  • A variety of free drop-in activities
  • Reduced rates on Conditioning Room Passes 
  • Annual General Meeting vote
  • Opportunity to take a leadership role, e.g. position on centre boards
  • Access to join clubs
  • Receive program newsletters and other direct communication about activities 

Annual Memberships are available to purchase in person or online for $40.63 +HST

Please bring your 50+ membership card when registering for programs. Please visit the reception desk to update or replace cards.

Grandparents Month

September is Grandparents Month!

Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 13, but this year, the City is celebrating Grandparents Month all September long! Connecting generations helps to strengthen belonging and well-being. The City is hosting a number of activities throughout the month to help grandparents and grandchildren learn, explore and create together.

September 6 - Free Public Skate, Galt Arena, All Ages, 10:30am-12pm
September 9 - Sewing Drop-in, Cambridge Centre for the Arts, All Ages, 5 – 7 pm
September 12 - Teddy Bear Picnic with Grandchildren Ted Wake Centre 12:00pm-2:00pm, Adult $10, Child $5 must be accompanied by an adult
September 13 - Public Swim, W.G. Johnson Centre, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
September 13  - Forest Bathing, Dumfries Conservation 1:00 pm-3:00 pm 
September 20 - Pickleball (Fees Apply), All Ages, WG Johnson Centre, 12-1:30pm
September 26 - Public Swim, John Dolson Centre, All Ages, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Culture Days! Keep watch for more information and registration begins August 19. 

Here are a few more ways you can have a #GrandExperience together in September:

  • Develop a Random Acts of Kindness List!
  • Make a favourite family recipe together
  • Take a walk along one of the City's Trails
  • Volunteer together
  • Share photos of your activities on social media with #GrandExperience

Older Adult Strategy

The City of Cambridge is pleased to announce the approval of the 2026–2031 Older Adult Strategy, which will guide programs, services, and operations for the Cambridge 50+ community support programs and service delivery over the next five years.

This strategy was informed by extensive community engagement and aligns with the City’s Strategic Plan – Cambridge Connected as well as the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities Framework.

The strategy includes 57 recommendations designed to:

  • Support older adults in aging in the right place
  • Strengthen volunteerism
  • Improve access to programs and services
  • Enhance municipal spaces, communications, and decision-making to better reflect the needs of adults aged 50 and older

  • Fall 2022 – January 2023: Data collection through internal and external boards, clubs, community partners, and focus groups
  • February 6 – March 10, 2023: Older Adult Engage Cambridge public survey
  • May 2023: 50+ Centre Boards and Clubs focus groups
  • June 2023: Older Adult Town Hall sessions
  • Spring/Summer 2023: Data analysis and strategy development
  • June 23, 2026: Final Older Adult Strategy approved by City Council

The City of Cambridge is committed to supporting older adults in staying healthy, connected, and engaged in their community. Through this strategy, we continue to promote dignity, inclusion, and overall well-being by addressing all aspects of wellness.

A copy of the Older Adult Strategy will be posted soon. In the meantime, please email agefriendly@cambridge.ca if you would like to request a copy. 

Supportive Programs

The City of Cambridge offers supportive programs for older adults and adults with disabilities who are looking to enhance the quality of their life.

Adult Day Services

The City of Cambridge offers Adult Day Services for residents of Cambridge, the Township of North Dumfries and nearby areas. These programs provide social and health supports for adults who may be living with:

  • Mental-health or chronic illness
  • Physical, intellectual or cognitive impairments (e.g., early stroke, Parkinson’s disease, early-stage dementia)
  • General age-related frailty

Our goal is to help participants stay independent, active and socially connected.

  • Social & recreational activities that promote healthy living and overall well-being
  • Friendly, professional staff leading daily programs
  • Culturally inclusive: Francophone residents are welcome at all sessions, with French-speaking staff on site two days per week; Portuguese-speaking residents are welcome every day

  • Time to socialize and make new friends
  • Healthy snacks and a noon-hour meal
  • Arranged transportation (if required)
  • Medication reminders
  • Personal care assistance
  • Daily exercise programs
  • Arts and crafts, music and entertainment
  • Games and trivia to stimulate the mind
  • Special events, including an annual holiday party

Special activities may also include:

  • Indoor walking track at the William E. Pautler Centre
  • Aquafit classes in a warm-water therapy pool (Living Well program)
  • Access to a fully equipped, staffed fitness/conditioning centre (Living Well program)
  • Day trips to restaurants, museums, theatres and local attractions (Boost programs)

  • $24.06 – $31.50 per day (includes transportation if required)
  • Transportation assistance: additional $8.00
  • Financial assistance available for low-income residents (at or below the Federal Low Income Cut-Off)

Cancellation fees

  • $7.79 if notice is received before 8:30 a.m. on the day of attendance
  • $14.45 if notice is received after 8:30 a.m.

  • Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Offered at various locations across Cambridge

Contact Information:

English: 519-623-1340 ext. 4424
French: 519-623-1340 ext. 4737 or frenchservices@cambridge.ca

Friendly Visiting Program

Over time, individuals may begin to isolate themselves and become socially withdrawn as they find it more difficult to stay connected to friends, the community or to leave the safety and comfort of their homes. 

Friendly Visiting is funded by the Ministry of Health. The program matches a volunteer with a socially isolated older adult, or an adult with a physical disability for social and recreational in-person or phone visits for 1-2 hours per week. Activities can include conversing in and around the home, crafts, board and card games, outings, and more. 

Visiting Service is offered to those who: 

  • live in the Cambridge/North Dumfries area
  • 18+ adult living with a physical disability 
  • 50+ older adult who is socially isolated and/or experiencing mild memory loss
  • not require personal care during the visit
  • unable to attend social or recreation programs in community settings 

For referrals to this program, please contact the Friendly Visiting team at (519) 623-1340 ext. 4820 or email friendlyvisiting@cambridge.ca for more information.

The Friendly Visiting program does not provide the following services: 

  • personal and medical care
  • housekeeping
  • meal preparation
  • grocery shopping
  • provide personal, financial or medical advice 

By volunteering for the program, you can bring joy to an older adult in just a few hours a week.

Volunteer Benefits:

  • Support isolated community members by providing companionship and building meaningful relationships
  • Help build a more resilient and caring community
  • Participate in professional development training
  • Gain interpersonal skills that enhance personal growth
  • Obtain a reference letter for your service

Volunteers are required to:

  • Be a minimum age of 18
  • Meet screening requirements
  • Able to commit to at least 8 months of visits 
  • Able to commit 1-2 hours per week 
  • Complete visit journals  

Volunteers do not provide the following:

  • Personal and medical care
  • Housekeeping
  • Meal preparation
  • Grocery shopping
  • Provide personal, financial or medical advice 
  • Handling of client’s finances, cash or cards
  • Cover client’s expenses in the home or during outings 

Apply to be a volunteer by completing a volunteer application form. 

Funded by the Ministry of Health, the French Language Services program enables the City of Cambridge to support Francophone older adults across Waterloo Region and Wellington County in accessing and navigating Community Support Services.

The Francophone Support Worker provides system navigation assistance, facilitates the Without Walls French-language teleconference program twice weekly, and supports the Adult Day Programs three days per week. When there are sufficient Francophone participants, day program activities can also be delivered in French.

Call 519-623-1340 ext. 4737

Or Email FrenchServices@cambridge.ca

View the Current Volunteer Opportunities Listing for details and how to apply.

Interested in volunteering, please complete a volunteer application.

Without Walls (WOW Program)

Without Walls (WOW) is a free registered telephone program that offers small groups of older adults experiencing social isolation the opportunity to engage in conversation and recreation activities. All sessions are 30 to 45 minutes in length and are available in English and French. 

English sessions are offered on Mondays, Thursdays, and alternate Fridays at 1:00 p.m.

French sessions are offered Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., Fridays at 1:00 p.m.

Participants are given monthly calendars that outline session plans. Activities can include:

  • musical entertainment
  • health and wellness speakers
  • education and information
  • BINGO and other fun games

Date Topic
July 2 Celebrating Canada
July 6 BINGO!
July 9 Weeds and Trees ft. Zhyfhs
July 10 Music with Charlena (Summer Hits)
July 13 Canada or USA
July 16 How to get up from a fall ft. CSC
July 20 Reminisce : Ice cream
July 23 Fact or Fiction
July 24 BINGO!
July 27 Name One
July 30 Great Canadian Artists

To register for English WOW sessions, please contact the Friendly Visiting team at (519) 513-6673 or friendlyvisiting@cambridge.ca

Programs are offered on Wednesday mornings at noon 10:30 and Friday afternoons at 1:30 in French. Please check back in April for an updated calendar.

To register for French WOW sessions, please contact the Francophone Services support worker at (519) 623-1340 ext.4737 or frenchservices@cambridge.ca

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer with us! Many volunteer roles are available with the 50+ Recreation Centres and Older Adult Services.  For more information visit our volunteer webpage or apply online.