PEP Seniors Therapeutic Centre

Putting Some Pep Into Each Step: Enhancing Seniors’ Lives with the Support of the PEP Seniors Therapeutic Centre

For over a decade, PEP Seniors Therapeutic Centre has been a cornerstone of support in Perth, Ontario. We sat down with Maureen Crook, Acting Executive Director & Program Coordinator, to discuss their origins, daily operations, and how they provide vital respite for local caregivers.

Q: How did the business start?

PEP: It began 12.5 years ago when Dr. Bob Van Noppen and his clinic nurse, Suzanne Rintoul, noticed a large number of seniors and patients coming in and out of their clinic who could benefit from greater socialization. They both recognized the need to bridge this gap in services within the community and began the process of establishing an organization that could provide a structured day program for older adults in the Perth community.

PEP grew directly from that realization. Their focus was to provide a safe space where older adults could attend and connect with their peers for a day of socialization. At the same time, the program provides their loved ones with a much-needed day of respite. Caregivers can grocery shop, run errands, attend appointments, or simply focus on their own well-being.

Q: What is the core mission behind the PEP Seniors Therapeutic Centre?

PEP: Our core mission focuses on four primary health pillars: emotional, physical, cognitive, and social—all of which encompass a therapeutic approach to supporting older adults and seniors. We deliver evidence-based programming that supports these four pillars of health in a safe, trustworthy environment for our clients.

Finally, we offer vital respite care to caregivers who need a break to rest or run essential errands. We want our clients to live longer in their own homes. Aging in place is important to us.

Q: If you had to describe PEP in just one word, what would it be?

PEP: Support. We are all about support here. Whether it is for the clients, their caregivers, their families, or our staff as a whole—we are entirely here to support our people. Though the business technically started in 2013, clients began attending the program in 2014. It was quite small back then, but it has grown beautifully since.

Q: Where does the name come from, and what does it mean for your daily operations?

PEP: The original name was the Perth Enrichment Program. The goal was simply to enrich the lives of seniors within the community by helping them live independently, supporting their health and well-being, and allowing them to remain at home longer—essentially, revitalizing their retirement.

Eventually, we transitioned the name to PEP Seniors Therapeutic Centre because we are a therapeutic-based program. We offer recreational services, physical exercise, cognitive stimulation, and socialization. Our PEP staff have educational backgrounds in recreation therapy, therapeutic recreation, seniors’ physical education, and senior fitness certifications, among other certifications that support senior health and well-being.

Q: How do you structure your weekly schedule to accommodate different groups?

PEP: Our weekly schedule runs from Monday to Friday, and each day caters to a specific group. On Mondays and Thursdays, we host our mixed groups. Wednesdays are dedicated to our ladies’ day, while Fridays are reserved for our men’s day. Tuesdays look a bit different, as the morning is condensed into a two-hour, community-based version of our full program.

Q: What does a typical day look like for a participant?

PEP: Our regular sessions run from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, and we structure the time carefully to maximize engagement. The day begins at 9:30 AM with social arrival, where participants catch up over tea, coffee, and a continental breakfast. At 10:00 AM, we move into cognitive stimulation exercises where clients work through paperwork independently or in pairs before we review it together as a group.

At 11:00 a.m., our certified staff lead a one-hour senior fitness class that is chair-based, beginning with a warm-up and then moving into stretching, cardio, resistance training, and a proper cool-down. We gather at noon for a home-cooked lunch, which provides an opportunity for clients to share a meal together while enjoying further socialization.

Q: Beyond the daily program, what other services do you offer?

PEP: We host special events, health workshops, and older adult health education series that are open to the public. For example, this fall, we are running a four-week Healthy Aging through Nutrition series. We collaborated with Rideau Community Health Services for their expertise, and the Perth & District Union Library is hosting the space. Community collaboration is incredibly important to us.

Q: What is one thing you wish more people knew about PEP?

PEP: Believe it or not, there are still a lot of people who don’t know we exist, or don’t know much about what we do. We want the community to realize that this is a safe, highly qualified, and trustworthy place. When your loved one attends, they are well taken care of by professionals. Our clients arrive with smiles, have fun, and leave happy.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge lately?

PEP: It comes back to getting our name out there. There are other organizations and services within the community serving seniors, and our challenge is helping bridge the gap between those services so families don’t fall through the cracks. Moving forward, we need to stay current and figure out how we can expand our capacity to serve seniors in new ways.

Q: What makes your organization unique?

PEP: Definitely the added bonuses of our health workshops and our community fundraising. Because we are a non-profit organization run by a volunteer board of directors, we fund raise to help cover our core programming costs.

Encouraging people to attend our community events is a massive priority. Our first big one of the year is our popular Trivia Night in February. It is an incredible way to raise awareness and gain community backing.

Q: How has the local Chamber of Commerce assisted you with these hurdles?

PEP: The Chamber has been great for bringing a spotlight to PEP. Moving forward, their continued support in promoting our program and highlighting our year-round fundraising events will help us bridge those gaps.

Q: What do you personally enjoy most about working here?

PEP: Without a doubt, it is the daily interaction with the clients. We have a lot of fun, we share a lot of laughs, and it is just an absolutely wonderful group of people to be around every day. I truly enjoy planning, implementing, and working hard to bridge those care gaps within our community.

Support Local Seniors

On October 1st, in honour of National Seniors Day, PEP is hosting a Seniors Celebration Day at the Royal Canadian Legion in Perth. This event focuses on community collaboration and the vital importance of socialization for seniors’ mental and physical health.

The day will feature fun activities, prizes, and a buffet lunch, concluding with a live musical entertainer.

To learn more about programming and other events, contact the PEP – Seniors Therapeutic Centre today at 613-201-7172 or visit their website at morepep.ca.