Cambridge expands phone-based recreational activities for older adults

The Without Walls program uses conference call technology to bring older adults together

CAMBRIDGE — A city program that offers recreation and social activities to older adults over the phone will now be available to the general public.

The City of Cambridge’s Without Walls, or WOW, program was started as an opportunity to reach out to socially isolated adults who could not attend the city’s older adult programs.

“When COVID hit we realized there is an opportunity here for us to expand the service to individuals that were no longer able to enter our facilities due to the closures,” said Nicole Cichello, supervisor of older adult services at the city.

The program was first launched more than a year ago. It uses a conference call system to allow recreational staff to lead activities for older adults such as trivia games, fitness programs and musical entertainment.

Sessions are 30 to 45 minutes long and up to 10 people can take part.

Now known as WOW Social, the program is free to use after participants register for a free

City of Cambridge account, which can also be done over the phone.

Cichello said the program is phone-based because some of the older adults they serve are unable to access the internet.

“Today, many people are experiencing social isolation. This isn’t a new thing for people who have been dealing with health issues or other barriers,” Cichello said.

Cichello said the city got the idea from Ottawa, where the first Without Walls program was launched.

Over the past few weeks, the city has included its regular older adult day program participants in the program. Now, it is ready to take on more older adults from the general public.

For now, the program will operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and a schedule of activities will be available ahead of time. Cichello said the program will be expanded if necessary.

Cichello said the program also allows older adults to find support they may need, such as access to the internet or information about closures caused by the pandemic.

The program officially launches May 1. To find out more, visit www.cambridge.ca/wow or call Service Cambridge at 519-6231340.