The Capilano Community Services Society offers programs for seniors aged 55 and up . Our programs help seniors build connections, and maintain friendships, and we offer support so that seniors can live in their homes longer.
The Seniors’ program offers both onsite and offsite programs, as well as a variety of outreach programs. Onsite programs are offered at: Lions Gate Community Recreation Centre – 1733 Lions Gate Lane, North Vancouver, BC V7P 0C7
One of our senior’s programs is My Lions Gate BREAK, a dementia day program run by the CCSS for individuals experiencing the changes associated with mild to moderate dementia This program aims to stimulate minds, help people stay active and enhance their independence.
As part of our commitment to building community for seniors here in the North Shore, our seniors program is a quarterly publisher of Spokes, a Northshore focused community and lifestyle magazine for folks 55 and up.
The senior’s program is committed to minimizing potential barriers to participation. We understand that many seniors are on fixed incomes and therefore, our programs are offered at low or no cost.
If you ever have a question about seniors programming, please contact our Senior’s Program Coordinator, Austin Neaves at 604-988-7115 (ext. 2009) or by email at austin@capservices.ca.
Programs and Services
Join us! Below is a list of our services, drop-in and registered programs, try-it programs, workshops, and events. Click on the links to learn more
On-Site Programs
Painting Social (Currently on Wait-list)
Day: Monday (Weekly)
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: Art Studio
This painting meet up is for experienced painters. They meet every Monday and paint together, followed by a critiquing of each other’s work. This program is currently full. Please email austin@capservices.ca to be added to the waitlist.
Seniors Line Dancing
Day: Tuesday (Weekly)
Time: 9:15 AM to 10:15 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: Peak Room (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
Learn line dancing with this fun and easy workout for seniors. This program is drop-in. Questions: Email: austin@capservices.ca
English Language Learners (ELL) Class
Date: Tuesday (Weekly)
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: Marine Room (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
This English Language Learners class is open to beginners up to intermediate. This program is drop-in but can fill up fast. Once the room reaches capacity, we cannot accept more people.
Parsian Coffee Group
Date: Tuesday (Weekly)
Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: Canyon Room (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
Our popular Parsian Coffee Group meets once per week in the Canyon Room. Coffee. Snacks. Music. Singing. Dancing. This program is led in Farsi and can fill up fast. Folks are invited to drop in.
Coffee with Cap Services (all-ages)
Date: Wednesday (Weekly)
Time: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Lobby (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
Drop in. Free coffee every Wednesday. Get to know folks in your community with this coffee group. It’s also a chance to learn about Cap Services and get to know the staff. Questions: Email austin@capservices.ca
Men’s Shed
Dates: 1st and 3rd Thursday
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: Canyon Room (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
The North Shore Men’s Shed is a meet-up space for men to talk, meet new people, and come together. Sandwiches and coffee are prepared for the group. This is a drop-in program. Questions: Email austin@capservices.ca
Lions Gate Book Club
Date: 3rd Thursday
Time: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: Marine Room (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
In partnership with the District of North Vancouver Library, a group discussion on popular/new books. Questions: Email: austin@capservivces.ca
Backgammon
Dates: Friday (Weekly)
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: Canyon Room (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
This weekly backgammon group meets every Friday morning to play backgammon. New players are always welcome. This is a drop-in program. Coffee and light snacks are served.
Bridge
Dates: Friday (Weekly)
Time: 1:00 PM to 3:45 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: Canyon Room (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
This Bridge Group plays “Contract Bridge” and meets every week. They are always looking for new players. Drop ins welcome. Questions: Email austin@capservices.ca
Asian Cooking Class
Dates: Friday (Monthly)
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Cost: $10.00
Location: Community Kitchen (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
Learn Asian cooking with this monthly cooking class. The class prepares 3 courses together and then enjoys lunch with one another.
My Lions Gate BREAK
My Lions Gate BREAK is a social program run by the Seniors’ Program for individuals experiencing the changes associated with mild to moderate dementia and who want to stimulate their minds, stay active and enhance their independence. It’s also a break for caregivers and a resource for those experiencing the changes associated with mild to moderate dementia.
When: Monday and Wednesday each week
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Costs: $40 per day. Each participant brings their own lunch.
Note: We are committed to minimizing barriers to participation, both partial and full subsidies are available to anyone where cost is an issue.
How to apply for the program?
Contact Chantal at chantal@capservices.ca or phone 604.988.7115 (ext 2008)
What does MLGB Program activities include?
- Socialization and Fellowship
- Physical Activities and Chair Exercises
- Brain Gym
- Sensory Experiences
- Music and Dancing
- Art Classes and Discussion
- Reminiscence
- Trivia & Word Games
- Dexterity and Coordination Games
- Learning Opportunities
- Special Guests
What is the program criteria?
- A dementia diagnosis (mild to moderate stage)
- A caregiver and emergency contact
- Ability to use the washroom without assistance
- A desire to attend the program
What are the aims of My Lions Gate BREAK?
- To create an environment of friendliness, safety, predictability, and acceptance that will relieve fears and anxiety.
- To promote a sense of belonging and establish some order in the client’s world.
- To provide quality of life via a program of varied activities, stimulation, and socialization.
- To maximize a client’s abilities and independence by identifying and providing age-appropriate activities aimed at increasing self-esteem, and sense of self worth
What are the focused activities?
- Encourage group interaction and socialization
- Reinforce a sense of identity, increase self-awareness and orientation.
- Highlight sensory experiences.
- Maintain independence.
- Decrease anxiety, restlessness and wandering.
What does MLGB provide?
- Musical activities, dancing, and entertainment
- Art Classes
- Socialization and fellowship
- Reminiscence
- Quizzes & word games
- Brain Gym
- Physical activities and chair yoga
- Laughter Yoga
- Meditation and reflexology
- Seasonal bus outings
Code of Conduct
- Our goal is to provide a safe and friendly environment for clients, staff and volunteers.
- Everyone in the Centre has a responsibility to: Treat each other with respect, courtesy, fairness and equality.
- Respect everyone regardless of diversity or ability.
- Use the facility and equipment in a safe and appropriate way.
- We will not tolerate: Harassment, discrimination, physical or verbal abuse, inappropriate comments or behaviour, violence or vandalism in programs or our facility.
Capilano Community Services believes in providing and maintaining a respectful work environment in which all employees, clients and volunteers are free from workplace bullying or harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and violence. Such actions are not accepted and will not be tolerated, and wherever possible, are to be redressed.
Off-Site Programs
Coffee Mates (at Laziza Cafe)
Date: Wednesday (Weekly)
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Cost: Free (Attendees Purchase Their Own Coffee)
Location: Laziza Cafe (120 14th St. West, North Vancouver)
This weekly coffee meet up is a midweek meetup for coffee and a friendly chat. Hosted at Laziza Cafe. If you have any questions, email austin@capservices.ca. Or just drop it.
Outreach Programs
Bus Shopping Trip (Monday)
Date: Monday (Weekly)
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: To Capilano Mall
This weekly shopping program picks up seniors from their home and drops them off at Capilano Mall for a shopping trip. On Tuesdays, the bus makes an additional stop at Save-On-Foods. This service is offered in North Vancouver only. Registration Required: austin@capservices.ca
Bus Shopping Trip (Tuesday)
Date: Tuesday (Weekly)
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: To Capilano Mall
This weekly shopping program for seniors picks people up at their home and drops them off at Capilano Mall for a shopping trip. On Tuesdays, the bus makes an additional stop at Save-On-Foods. This service is offered in North Vancouver only. Registration Required: austin@capservices.ca
Bus Shopping Trip (Wednesday)
Date: Wednesday (Weekly)
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: By Donation
Location: To Capilano Mall
This weekly shopping program for seniors picks people up at their home and drops them off at Capilano Mall for a shopping trip. On Tuesdays, the bus makes an additional stop at Save-On-Foods. This service is offered in North Vancouver only. Registration Required: austin@capservices.ca
Friendly Checkups
Date: Monthly Checkups
Time: Varies
Cost: None
Location: By Phone
This program aims to offer friendly checkups for lonely or isolated seniors. This is done by a staff member or volunteer. Registration Required: Email austin@capservices.ca
Friendly Rides
Date: Varies
Cost: None
Location: North Shore (Rides only to North and West Vancouver)
This program aims to offer friendly rides for seniors who do not have access to a car and have limited mobility. These rides could be for a doctor’s appointment, access to a Seniors’ Hub program, shopping, or simply to a coffee shop or brief outing. For more information: Email: austin@capservices.ca
Events
Senior Social
Date: 2nd Thursday (Every Month)
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Cost: $5.00 Suggested Donation
Location: River Room (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
Our Senior Social invites seniors to an afternoon of sandwiches, tea, desserts, and live entertainment. This event always fills up so be sure to reserve your spot by emailing austin@capservices.ca
Senior Out-Trips
Date: 4th Thursday
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
Location: Varies
The Seniors’ Hub plans a monthly Out-Trip every month. Email austin@capservices.ca to find out details for the latest trip and register.
Harvest Lunch (annual)
Date: 4th Thursday of October
Time: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Cost: Suggested Donation $5.00
Location: River Room (1733 Lions Gate Lane)
This social event brings folks together to celebrate fall weather with a delicious lunch. Guests are invited to try an assortment of homemade soups.
Registration required, email: austin@capservices.ca
Newsletter
Learn, laugh and liven-up your social calendar with our Spokes newsletter – featuring inspiring stories from and about seniors, information on our programs, events and services, community updates, trends, beneficial products/services designed for seniors, special interest features, easy and delicious recipes, photos of our gatherings and much more!
The Spokes newsletter is published three times per year, printing 800 issues each Spring, Fall and Winter. You can pick up a copy at libraries across the North Shore, Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre, North Shore Community Resources, Woodcroft Residential Complex, Brazza Café and many other community health and social service agencies and local businesses. Or just click below to read our latest newsletter and past issues.
Our newsletter consists of input from seniors, recipes, photos of our gatherings; fun stuff and jokes. We also provide information on the latest trends, upcoming programs, and beneficial services for our seniors in the community. We produce three issues a year, printing 800 issues each Spring, Fall and Winter.
If you have story ideas, recipes, photos, or any other suggestions for an upcoming edition of the Spokes newsletter, please email your content ideas to info@capservices.ca
If you’d like to be on our mailing list, subscribe here.