SWSRC June Newsletter

We are a University of Manitoba research team studying how older people in Canada meet their day-to-day needs. We are specifically looking to interview older adults (65+) who require help with a health condition, aging-related issues, or a disability. Interviews will take place by phone or online using Zoom.
Are you an older adult who requires help with any of the following activities?

• personal care, such as bathing, eating, and dressing; AND/OR
• help around the house, such as with cleaning, house or yard maintenance, cooking and other chores; AND/OR
• managing finances, attending appointments, transportation or other tasks.

If so, you may be eligible to participate.
What if I’m a caregiver?
If you’re a caregiver to an older person who cannot participate in an interview, you may participate on their behalf.
Participants will receive a gift card as a token of appreciation for their time and contributions.
If you are interested in participating, please contact: yuns.oh@umanitoba.ca or call/text 431-294-3177.

A basic rain barrel collects water from a downspout (ensure you have a diverter for when the barrel gets full) with a water outlet on the lower portion of the barrel. Elevating the barrel helps the water flow. Some rain barrels also have an option to connect multiple barrels to collect more rainwater.

For condo balconies, rain harvesting can be as simple as placing yogourt containers near the balcony railing when it rains, and when it’s filled, put the lids on for storage.

Whichever way you collect rainwater, store it in a shaded spot and use the water within a week or two of collection to prevent bacteria and algae growth.

Before getting started, check to see if there are any restrictions for harvesting rainwater in your area. Also note that since it’s not treated it shouldn’t be consumed. If you are watering edible plants, water the soil only, not the plant itself. 

Together, with water-saving measures such as installing low-flow faucets and toilets, rainwater harvesting is another way to help preserve one of Earth’s most valuable resources and cutting down your water bill.

So, how do you get started?

• Choose a location with at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight exposure and ensure it’s sheltered from the wind to prevent seedlings from breaking.
• Make sure the soil has plenty of organic matter and sufficient drainage to prevent root rot. For container gardens, use good quality potting soil. 
• Use the best quality seeds to yield high quality and strong plants.
• Only grow what you know you will eat. Staggering plantings will help keep your harvest coming and prevent you from ending up with mountains of lettuce all at once.
• Growing produce that is especially expensive in the grocery store, or that is not readily available in your area, such as herbs, can be particularly rewarding.
• Note the planting depths and distances needed between plants.
• Weed your garden to help your plants grow to their potential. Adding mulch will help keep weeds down and retain moisture.
• Mix in marigolds to discourage pests and attract pollinators to help your plants thrive.

If you are a rookie to veggie gardening, some of the easiest veggies to start with are lettuce, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and peas. Good luck!

The number of seniors who wander or get lost each year is increasing. Lifeline’s On the Go with Wandering can help caregivers track their loved one’s general location when they leave home. 

Caregivers can receive a SMS text with a link to an online map anytime their loved one leaves home¹.   A mapping tool shows the general location of your loved one and their path of travel. Caregivers can choose to continue monitoring their loved one’s location on their smartphone or let Lifeline’s 24/7 Response Centre know that help is needed. In addition to the tracking feature, On the Go with Wandering is also a full personal response service which includes fall detection capability² and two-way voice communication with Lifeline’s Response Centre.

Print or forward this email and pass the savings on to a patient.

Free Month of Service

Offer valid until August 30, 2025
and quote code: X733337X1579
Please call Victoria Lifeline
204-956-6777 or 1-888-722-5222

Charleswood Active Living Centre has re-opened at its  new location, Unit A-357 Oakdale Blvd! 
Register online at https://www.Charleswoodseniorcentre.org/ or by phone at 204-897-5263

Winnipeg’s new bus network launches June 29, 2025

The Primary Transit Network and its feeder routes

What do you need to know now to get ready for the Primary Transit Network? Here are the five most important things:

Schedules will be available in late April 

We’ll share summer schedules for the new network online as soon as we can. In late April, you’ll be able to look up stop schedules and plan trips using Navigo. Not online? As always, you can contact 311 for assistance, once schedules are available. 

Your stops and routes will change

We’re replacing just about all bus routes in Winnipeg, simplifying our network. Straighter routes make it easier to get from anywhere to anywhere. They’re also more efficient.

All bus stops will get new sign plates, and new stop numbers.  

• We’ll add new stops on streets getting transit for the first time
• We’ll remove them where buses will no longer run
• We’ll move stops to make them more accessible, closer to controlled crosswalks  , and with more consistent spacing.  

We’ll also upgrade bus stop infrastructure, improving accessibility. Improving bus stop accessibility is an ongoing effort for Winnipeg Transit, but we have additional funds for this work as part of this project. We’ll continue these additional upgrades throughout 2025 to 2028.  

Why are bus stop locations changing? 

With the new network, stops are spaced according to service class. For example, stops are further apart on Rapid Transit and Frequent Express bus lines than they are on feeder routes. 

How do we decide where bus stops go?

We choose bus stop locations that are accessible and connection friendly. There are two stages to selecting stop locations.

The first stage selects a general stop location along a service line or route.

We consider:

• transfers - is a transfer stop available if routes intersect or overlap?
• pairing - are all stops placed in pairs, except on one-way loops?
• spacing - are stops spaced according to service class?
• pedestrian crossing opportunities - are there signals or pedestrian corridors?
• points of interest - are stops near key locations like universities or malls?

The second stage is site-specific, when we determine the precise location.

We check for:

• availability of physical space - is a location large enough for buses? Can passengers safely get off the bus?
• transfer walking distance - can we put stops near pedestrian crossings to make transfers easier?
• pedestrian infrastructure - is a location connected to the sidewalk network?
• existing stop infrastructure - are there amenities like shelters or signage?
• operations and safety - does a location promote safe driving for operators?
• adjacent land-use and parking impacts - what's next to the location? Will transit impact parking?

The new network will be more frequent, direct, connected, and simplified

You’ll benefit from a route network that’s more: 

• Frequent: Buses arrive more often on frequent routes
• Direct: Major routes are straighter, fewer take slow and winding paths 
• Connected: Service expands into new areas, and bus stops move to improve connections
• Simplified: Routes are easier to figure out

The new network will be accessible

How will accessibility be improved? 

Improved transfer points and bus stops 

• We’re moving bus stops to make transfers easier.
• This means placing them close to intersections with controlled crosswalks, so people don’t have to walk as far to transfer to a different bus 
• We’re also upgrading bus stop infrastructure, and installing new accessible bus stop platforms
• We make regular upgrades to improve bus stop accessibility, but have extra money for this as part of this project through 2025-28
• This work will continue throughout the coming years

From anywhere in Winnipeg, to anywhere in Winnipeg

• The new network is designed to help people of all abilities access more of the city
• Our current route network is best for traveling to Downtown, but only one out of five trips end up there
• The new network is designed to be more like a grid, that lets you travel more easily throughout Winnipeg

Expanded On-Request provides options for Transit Plus customers

• Where feasible, Transit Plus customers traveling within On-Request zones can get curb-to-curb service
• Instead of having to walk to a ‘virtual stop’ to board On-Request, where feasible Transit Plus customers are picked up at their location
• This increases options for taking transit without advance booking 
  • On-Request is always booked at the time you want your trip
  • Currently, Transit Plus trips must be booked in advance

"Summertime is always the best of what might be."
- Charles Bowden
This quote captures the hopeful and optimistic feeling associated with the summer season, suggesting its potential and new beginnings.

Assiniboine Park Summer Activities: Besides the many day-to-day activities available, Assiniboine Park hosts a variety of Concert series at the Lyric Theatre, The Leaf Gardens and Jazz at the Leo Mol Sculpture Gardens. There are also Wellness Wednesdays exercises at the Lyric Theatre grounds.  
Ballet in the Park is July 23 - 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre. 
Folklorama Kick -Off at the Lyric Theatre is July 26th 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.  All of the above are free!

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