Supporting Seniors During Extreme Heat
Help York Region research the impact of extreme heat on our seniors and their wellbeing. The Keeping it Cool project, with funding from Health Canada, is working to reduce the negative health impacts of extreme heat experienced by seniors in York Region and we're looking for input from our residents.
Get Involved
Join a Focus Group
York Region is hosting in-person focus groups for seniors and caregivers in York Region. These focus groups are small group discussions that will help us understand how seniors are dealing with extreme heat, what caregivers are doing to support their seniors and challenges they face.
Who Can Participate
- Seniors (age 55+) living in York Region (not currently living in an assisted living facility, such as long-term care)
- Caregivers (age 18+) of seniors living in York Region
- Residents that feel comfortable communicating in English
If you are interested in joining a focus group, please fill out the Keeping It Cool Focus Group Sign Up form or call 647-461-4646 to speak with Diane Balkaran, the focus group coordinator, Piat Public Health.
Focus groups will take place in June and July 2026. Each session will take up to two hours. Participants will receive a gift card for their time and effort.
Locations and Times of Focus Groups
Focus Groups for Seniors
Aurora
- Aurora Town Hall
100 John West Way, Aurora (Holland Room)
Tuesday, June 23, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
East Gwillimbury
- Oxford Village (for Oxford Village residents only)
84 Oakridge Court, Holland Landing
Thursday, June 25, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Georgina
- Pineview Terrace (for Pineview Terrace residents only)
190 Church Street, Keswick
Thursday, June 25, 2 to 4 p.m.
King Township
- King Township Municipal Centre
2585 King Road, King City
Wednesday, July 15, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Markham
- Markham Public Library (Milliken Mills Library)
7600 Kennedy Rd #1, Markham (Program Room)
Tuesday, June 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Unionville Community Center for Seniors - Unionville Home Society (Central United Church)
131 Main St Unionville, Markham (Back entrance, lower level)
Friday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Richmond Hill
- Richmond Hill Public Library (Central Branch)
1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill (Meeting Room A)
Friday, June 26, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Friday, July 3, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Vaughan
- Ansley Grove Library
350 Ansley Grove Rd, Woodbridge
Monday, June 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Civic Centre Resource Library
2191 Major MacKenzie Dr W, Maple
Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m. 1 p.m.
Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Ballantrae Community Centre
6240 Main Street, Stouffville (Large Multipurpose Room)
Monday, July 6, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Focus Groups for Caregivers
Aurora
- Aurora Town Hall
100 John West Way, Aurora (Holland Room)
Tuesday, June 23, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Georgina
- Club 55 Sutton at The Link
20849 Dalton Rd, Georgina
Friday, July 3, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
King Township
- King Township Municipal Centre
2585 King Road, King City
Wednesday, July 15, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Richmond Hill
- Richmond Hill Public Library (Central Branch)
1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill (Meeting Room A)
Friday, June 26, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Vaughan
- Ansley Grove Library
350 Ansley Grove Rd, Woodbridge
Monday, June 29, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Ballantrae Community Centre
6240 Main Street, Stouffville (Large Multipurpose Room)
Monday, July 6, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
More focus groups will be added soon.
Join a Keeping It Cool Focus Group
Take the Online Survey
This summer, we will be sharing an online survey for seniors and caregivers. The survey will help us understand how seniors are dealing with extreme heat, what caregivers are doing to support their seniors and challenges they face.
Who Can Participate
- Seniors (age 55+) living in York Region (not currently living in an assisted living facility, such as long-term care)
- Caregivers (age 18+) of seniors living in York Region
The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Anyone who completes the survey can enter a draw to win one of four gift cards.
Keeping It Cool Online Survey
Survey will take place in the summer of 2026.
Project Background
Seniors are among the most at risk for experiencing health impacts from extreme heat. Keeping it Cool: Increasing Resiliency of York Region Seniors to Extreme Heat, is a 3-year project, running from April 2025 to March 2028. Funded by Health Canada through the Climate Change and Health Capacity Building Program, Keeping it Cool is working to reduce the negative health impacts of extreme heat experienced by York Region seniors.
Specifically, the project will include:
- Collecting local data to better understand the impacts of extreme heat on seniors, actions people take and current community resources; this will be done through focus groups, online surveys and interviews with partners
- Developing resources and communications for seniors and caregivers
- Identifying actions that public health and partners could take to further support seniors
Learn More About Climate Change and Extreme Heat
York Region has been working to better understand the local impacts of climate change and health and how our communities can be better prepared. To learn more, visit york.ca/ClimateAndHealth and york.ca/ExtremeHeat.
Contact Us
For any questions about the Keeping It Cool project, email @email or call Access York, at 1-877-464-9675 or dial 711 with a TTY device.
