Abbotsford House

Tucked in between Bronson Place and the privately owned Lord Lansdowne Retirement Residence, in an 1870's stone Gothic Revival style building, Abbotsford House has been meeting the needs of adults 55+ for more than 30 years. Nowadays Abbotsford hosts the Community Services branch of the Glebe Centre. You can become an "Abbotsford Member" by registering at Abbotsford Reception and paying a small fee. In return you will benefit from being able to participate in Abbotsford amenities and programs.

In a warm and friendly setting, you can meet new people, take part in activities and use the services available to help enjoy your retirement years within the comfort of familiar surroundings. Abbotsford is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily. "Loitering" is highly encouraged in this establishment!

Abbotsford is easy to find, located in the heart of the Glebe opposite Lansdowne Park. Two major bus routes (#1 and #7) stop right outside our door. There is free 3 hour parking on the surrounding side streets as well as free parking at Lansdowne Park on days when there is no major event.

You can call us at 613-230-5730 or Contact Us through this website.

Drop in for a visit and/or a tour any time Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30 p.m. or look through our Program Guide.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How are the programs and services in Abbotsford funded?
A: Abbotsford community programs receive partial funding from both the provincial and municipal governments. Currently about 50% of the total cost of operations is covered by these grants. Clients pay modest fees to participate in all of the programs and this accounts for a further 15% of the costs of the programs. The remaining costs are covered through fundraising and donations.

Q: How much does it cost to become a member of Abbotsford and who is eligible?
A: Membership is open to anyone 55 or over who lives in the City of Ottawa. The annual cost is $35. For those new members who join midway through the year, the fee is pro-rated.

Q: What are the benefits of membership in Abbotsford?
A: Abbotsford members are entitled to register for classes at a reduced rate. All of our clubs - such as Opera, Snooker and Bridge are for members only, as is our Footcare Clinic. In addition, members receive our quarterly program guide via email or regular mail. Finally there are several local businesses who offer discounts to current Abbotsford members and you can check our Program Guide to find out who they are.

Q: How do I arrange to have some odd jobs done around my house?
A: If you live in one of the neighbourhoods served by our program, you can contact us to arrange a home visit. One of our staff will drop by to meet you, have a look at the work you need help with and tell you in detail how the service works. At the time of our visit we can also tell you about some of the other services available to you. After our visit we will contact the appropriate worker to help you with your job. If you don't live in one of the neighbourhoods we serve, call us anyway and we can link you with the appropriate service in your area. If you prefer, you can find your neighbourhood community support agency on the web.

Q: How much do the in home services cost and how do I arrange payment?
A: The rates for all of our services are set in conjunction with our partner agencies in the City of Ottawa. In setting the rates we try to find the balance between ensuring they are affordable for all of our potential clients yet still provide a decent wage for our workers. Currently services range in cost from $12 - $15 per hour with a two hour minimum. Clients pay the worker directly.

Q: How can I get my family member involved in the Day Away Program?
A: This program is geared for people in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer's Disease. The Ministry of Health has mandated that all referrals to the program must come through the Community Care Access Centre. Currently there is a waiting list for the program and clients can expect to wait approximately two months for an available spot.

Q: What type of activities do clients participate in during the Day Away Program?
A: Clients can participate in a variety of activities. All of the activities are modified to ensure that success is maximized and frustration is minimized. Every effort is made to cater to individual interests. Clients play card games, board games and participate in a variety of trivia challenges which are fun and help them retain cognitive skills. They also play a variety of more active games such as snooker and shuffleboard . During fine weather the group enjoys walks in the local neighbourhood or picnics at favourite local spots.