Accessibility Tools

Municipal Office - 2357 Highway 206, P.O. Box 120, Arichat, Nova Scotia B0E 1A0
(902) 226-2400, Toll Free: 1-800-567-2600

Seniors Resources and Support

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Photo Credit: Derrick Cameron

 Senior Resources and Supports

Calendar of Events

 

Download a copy of the April calendar here

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Check out the online version. Use the link below.

https://online.pubhtml5.com/qkgt/zznx/

  • Printed copies are also available in the foyer of the Municipal Administration Building.
  • The weekly calendar can also be viewed daily at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Telile Community Television. 

STAC 2025 - A Year at a Glance

2025 Year At A Glance English

2025 A Year At A Glance French

 

STAC ANNUAL REPORT

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2024-2025 Annual Report - Check out the highlights for the past year!

Seniors Take Action Coalition of Richmond County is pleased to share the Annual Report for 2024-2025.

You can download the PDF version  pdf 2024-2025 STAC Annual Report(15.01 MB) or view online using the following link: https://online.pubhtml5.com/qkgt/qnis/

Other Editions

2023-2024 Annual Report

If you would like to learn more about the work of the Seniors Take Action Coalition of Richmond County in the past year, check out their annual report.

To view or download your own PDF copy, go to  pdf STAC Annual Report 2023-2024(1.80 MB)

To access an online version, visit https://online.pubhtml5.com/qkgt/jvsa/

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Acting Collectively Project

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Aging adults can live at home longer, healthier, and more independently when there are community support and services in place to meet their needs. The ACTing Collectively project is a local and collaborative effort to improve the well-being and safety of aging adults in Cape Breton. The project launched summer of 2022 in Richmond County, Victoria County, and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Adults 65 and older, living in these communities are invited to take part in this project by having a one-hour conversation about what they need to live well in their local communities. Individuals taking part in the interviews will receive a list of local resources they can contact to address their needs. Information on identified needs and resources available to meet those needs will be summarized and shared with leaders and policymakers in the local communities. This will help local communities identify and plan the local resources and services needed to help adults in Cape Breton age well at home.

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Final Report

On this page, you will find a summary of high-level findings from the project.

Findings | ACTingCollectively

 

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Better with Age Newsletter

To subscribe to the newsletter, visit Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter

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NEW ISSUE - Spring 2026

Click on the link below to access the online version
 Spring 2026 

To read past issues, visit the following:

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2026 Seniors Centre Without Walls Toolkit

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"Seniors Centre Without Walls Toolkit (2026) is based on our recent Age-Friendly Community Project. This toolkit tells our story, using a flexible approach to design a Seniors Centre Without Walls tailored to the specific issues and needs in our rural communities in Richmond County. We hope that the lessons we learned along the way provide you with some ideas about ways that you might approach what you do to support older adults in your communities. "

Download a copy here  or click the link below for the online version

2026 Seniors Centre Without Walls Toolkit

 

 Body, Mind, Spirit Tool Kit

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The Mind Body and Spirit Project was a collaborative partnership involving many community partners in Richmond County.     
Funding was made possible through the community funding stream streams funding with Mental Health and Addictions,   
Department of Health and Wellness and the Municipality of the County of Richmond. The Dr. Kingston Memorial Community
Health Centre was pleased to act at the official sponsor and provided the overall coordination for the project.

  • To view or download the Body, Mind, Spirit Took Kit click on this link:  pdf Spirit Tool Kit (4.72 MB)   
  • If you have any questions, please contact the Dr. Kingston Memorial Community Health Center at
    (902) 587-2800.

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 Comfort Centre List

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 To view the list of comfort centers in Richmond County, updated October 3, 2023,  pdf visit, Comfort Center List.(144 KB)

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 Grants and Programs

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Housing Repair and Accessibility Program 

Department: Organization: Provincial Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Description: 

The Housing Repair and Accessibility Program may fund up to $18,000 of eligible repair costs. For larger repair projects an additional $20,000 may be available as a repayable loan. The applicant or other sources need to fund the remaining balance of the costs.

The funding provides $10,000 as a grant and $8,000 as a forgivable loan. To have the loan forgiven, you must meet the loan conditions.

Eligible repairs

Eligible emergency repairs are repairs or issues in 1 or more of the 4 critical situation categories that represent a hazard to a property or occupants and may result in the occupants having to leave the home.

Eligible health and safety repairs are repairs or issues in 1 or more of the 4 critical situation categories that are less urgent but still require attention.

Critical situation categories include:

  • structural
  • electrical
  • plumbing
  • heating

Eligible costs

Eligible costs include:

  • material
  • labour
  • legal fees
  • related taxes

Costs are not eligible if you complete the work before you’re approved for the fundind

Eligibility

You can apply for funding if:

  • repairs are an emergency or required to maintain the safe occupancy of your home
  • you own and have lived in your home where the repairs will be applied for at least 1 year
  • your home is at least 5 years old
  • you have an annual pre-tax (gross) household income that’s not more than the income limits in the Housing Repair Guide
  • you don’t have the financial ability to pay for the repairs on your own based on your pre-tax (gross) household income and investments (households with more than $25,000 in investment assets are not eligible)
  • you haven’t received previous housing repair grants in the last 5 years, unless the repairs are eligible emergency repairs
  • you haven’t received previous housing repair loans in the last 15 years, unless the repairs are eligible emergency repairs
  • your property taxes are paid up to date or you have a payment plan in place with the local government for at least 3 months
  • your property value is no more than $360,000 in Halifax Regional Municipality and the County of East Hants or $280,000 in other regions of Nova Scotia

Eligible properties include:

  • single-family detached house
  • townhouse (semi-detached) or row house
  • condominium property (interiors only, not common spaces)
  • manufactured (mobile) home where ownership of the unit is verified

You also need to meet any additional eligibility criteria (like repair eligibility) outlined in the Housing Repair Guide.

 

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact: 
Toll-free: 1-844-424-5110

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/accessible-housing-program

 

We Are Young 

Department: Organization: We Are Young - charitable organization 

Description: 

 We Are Young is a charity dedicated to empowering seniors by improving age-related barriers such as social isolation and loneliness, enhancing mental and physical well-being and restoring seniors' sense of purpose through creative, transformative wish fulfillment. These experience-based wishes create lasting memories, whether it's realizing a lifelong dream, rediscovering a passion, or reconnecting with loved ones. 

Through our work, we are challenging societal perceptions of aging and fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect, creating meaningful experiences that inspire individual and community-level change. 

Eligibility: 

  • 70 years or older
  • Permanent resident of Atlantic Canada or Ontario 
  • Has an experience- based wish they would like to see fulfilled
  • Can not fulfill their wish on their own

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact: 
Tel: 902.701.8848

Email:

Website: weareyoung.ca 

 

The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Program

The Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia are working together to help low and median-income Canadian households who are currently heating their homes with oil to make the transition to electric cold-climate heat pumps. The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Program provides up to $10,000 to help eligible homeowners make this switch and may be combined with funding from existing federal and provincial programs including the Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) and programs offered by Efficiency Nova Scotia. Meaning homeowners can increase the amount of rebates they receive for heat pumps, if moving away from oil, and can also receive support to upgrade electrical panels.

The OHPA Grant will provide up to $10,000 to cover costs for the purchase and installation of an eligible* Cold Climate air source heat pump, plus:

  • electrical and mechanical upgrades required for the new heat pump;
  • safe removal and/or decommissioning of the oil tank;
  • installation of a back-up electric heating system (as required); and
  • switching over other oil-using household systems, such as a hot water heater (where necessary).

Non-eligible costs would include cleanup of any pre-existing oil contamination found on-site at households.

*Only the cold climate air source heat pumps found on this Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps list are eligible under the OHPA program. 

Eligibility

Homeowners may be eligible for the OHPA Grant if: 

  • their home is oil-heated as of January 2023 (this must be demonstrated with copies of their oil fuel bills from the 12 months preceding their application); 
  • they are the primary resident and owner of a single/ semi-detached home located in Nova Scotia and can provide proof of ownership; and
  • their total household income is at or below the maximum annual household income after-tax, as determined by Statistics Canada and outlined in the below chart.

For more information visit, Efficiency Nova Scotia 

 

For additional information on other grants and programs, visit Other Grants and Programs.

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Positive Aging Directory

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To view or download the 2025-2026 Positive Aging Directory, visit Positive Aging

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Senior Club List - Richmond County 

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  • Arichat - Isle Madame New Horizons Senior Citizens Club - Phone: 902-219-3102
  • Dundee / St. George’s Channel - South Mountain Golden Arms Association - Phone: 902-345-0495
  • Grand River – Grand River Seniors Club - Phone: 902-587-2143
  • L’Ardoise – L’Ardoise Jolly Seniors Club - Phone: 902- 302 2563  
  • Louisdale – Fleurs de Lis Seniors Club - Phone: 902-345-2232
  • Lower River – Riverdale’s Seniors Club 55 - Phone: 902-625-0166
  • River Bourgeois – River Bourgeois 50+ Seniors - Phone: 902-535-2141
  • Red Islands – Bras d’Or Lakes Seniors Club - Phone: 902 631-5643
  • St. Peter’s – Bonnie Brae Seniors Citizens Club - Phone: 902-535-2835
  • Petit de Grat - Le Regroupement des aînés de la Nouvelle-Écosse (RANE) - Phone: 902-226-0077

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 Seniors Information Line

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211 is available in English, French and a variety of other languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Nova Scotians can access 211 by phone, e-mail at , or go to ns.211.ca.

This service provides information on seniors' programs and services which include:

  • Discussing areas of concern
  • Help in accessing information dealing with government services and programs.

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 Senior Safety Program

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Dr. Kingston Memorial Community Health Centre
40 School Rd.
L'Ardoise, Richmond County,
Nova Scotia, B0E 1S0

General Inquiries: 902-587-2800
Fax: 902-587-2813

Hours of Operation

The hours of operation varies, please phone general inquiries at 902-587-2800.

Service Description

Helps seniors navigate local services that increase their safety, security, health and well-being. Provides presentations on and information about:

  • Falls prevention
  • Online, mail, phone, and door-to-door fraud and scams awareness
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction
  • Elder abuse awareness

Eligibility

Open to all who identify as a senior.

Application Process

Call or email to request a presentation or service navigation assistance. There are not documents required for eligibility nor any fees.

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Senior Take Action Coalition

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The coalition assists, supports, and advocates to ensure all seniors' issues and concerns are addressed.

The Board of Directors of Seniors Take Action Coalition of Richmond County promotes an age-friendly community and is committed to engaging older adults to live healthy, safe, and active lives. The Coalition works together collaboratively to ensure the issues that impact older adults remain a priority in Richmond County.

For more information, go to Seniors Take Action Coalition on Facebook.

2024 Seniors Take Action Coalition year in review document.   pdf A Year at a Glance STAC 2024(324 KB)

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Strait Richmond Hospital

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Strait Richmond Hospital serves the health care needs of the residents of communities in Richmond County and the southern portion of Inverness County.

Patient Switchboard: 902-625-3350
Administrative Switchboard: 902-625-3100

For service status updates, please visit: Strait Richmond Hospital | Nova Scotia Health (nshealth.ca)

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