Portrait: Aging Alone in Chinatown

One 90-year-old grandmother’s resolve to remain independent.

By Jen Recknagel & Cheryl Tsui

Lena lives at 91 Augusta Avenue, a popular Toronto Community Housing residence for Chinese seniors in Toronto’s Kensington-Chinatown community. Previously, we told the story of how Dr. Lim, the unofficial doctor-in-residence, brings his unique brand of medical care to the many Chinese seniors who call the building home. In this piece, we see what life is like in this Toronto neighbourhood through the eyes of Lena, a 90-year-old mother of six and grandmother of seven. When her loving husband passed away two years ago, her life changed irrevocably. Most of Lena’s children live in China, leaving her alone at 91 Augusta Avenue. No longer able to depend on her family for support, Lena has tried to remain active so she can keep living independently.

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