Zora, Kitchener – The First Serbian Retirement Home

“Fear of sickness can make you sick. Just as fear of old age can age you.”

                                                                                                - Duško Radović

            There are more and more people on the earth, and we all grow older by the day. In 2010, there were about 524 million people who were over the age of 65 (8% of the population). It is projected that in 2050, that number will grow to 1.5 million (16% of the population).

The population of Canada has exceeded 35 million; and it is a fact that Canada has seen a yearly population growth which is larger than any of the other G8 nations. In developed countries, one of the most distinctly felt effects of a growing population is the overall aging of the population, and Canada has recently noted the first time in its history where there is a larger number of people over the age of 65 than there are those who are younger than 15. The number of people over 65 has grown over 14% between 2006 and 2011, which is considerably greater than the increase in the younger age group.

            The number of people in Canada who are over the age of 65 and speak our language has thus also increased; as an estimate there are around 12-15, 000, the majority of whom live in Ontario.

            In Ontario, an option for the accommodation and care of the elderly is the retirement home “Zora,” which has existed in Kitchener for several years. The home was founded in 2014 and is operating at full capacity, much to the pleasure of our community. Jovanka Jović, the founder of “Zora,” worked in Germany for decades in the health care field, mostly in a psychiatric ward which dealt with very specific patients. She has transferred her extensive experience to the daily work of “Zora,” dealing with the seniors in a very caring and unique manner.

            According to Mrs. Jović, the founding of the first Serbian retirement home was a project which took almost six years of effort to accomplish. The result is a new home which exudes a warm, relaxed atmosphere in which the elderly members of our community have the opportunity to live a very active lifestyle. The home itself is in a peaceful and very beautiful part of Kitchener, surrounded by greenery, and at the edge of Kaufman Park in which the local community centre is found. The centre offers nearby access to valuable services: a library, a fitness centre, and a pool. Several other parks are also nearby, which temporary residents use for their daily walks. Upon the request of the residents, excursions are organized; there are regular visits to church, as well as other activities. Monitored 24/7, the caring staff of the home attend to the health of its residents, and when necessary, medical advice from doctors is readily available.

            “Zora” also offers an opportunity for “trial visits,” during which one can determine whether the accommodations and services are suitable for a future resident. Short-term as well as daily stays can be arranged, during times when a senior is sick, or the primary care-giver is away. The food is homemade, and meals are prepared in the excellently equipped kitchen. Of course, all the staff in the home speak both Serbian and English.

            The philosophy of the “Zora” staff is that through the maintenance of an active lifestyle, the elderly members of our community can retain their vitality and independence for as long as possible. Most importantly, “Zora” encourages everything to be done with a sense of community, believing that daily socializing can aid residents in attaining their optimal lifestyle.