Active Aging

8 ACTIVE AGING WEEK SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2018 Co-ordinator Karyn Heidrick says the aim of AAIM for Fun is to expand the reach of the Games and make them more accessible by offering "how to" sessions on activities such as floor curling and pickleball and brain games like bridge and cribbage to various community groups in a location of their choosing. While some participants may go on to compete in the annual provincial event, the real hope is that the sessions will encourage people to participate in these 55+ Games-related events on a year-round basis in their own community. "It's really about encouraging participation," Heidrick says. "Some people don't have the opportunity or the desire to go all the way to the provincial 55+ Games each year. This is a way for people who can't get to the Games to still experience the Games for themselves and with their friends." AAIM for Fun is open to any community-based groups that serve people aged 55-and-over including seniors' centres, community clubs and 55-plus housing complexes. All they need to do is submit a request to AAIM's office. AAIM provides a "menu" that allows community groups to choose the events and dates they are interested in and promote them within their respective communities. The organization will then dispatch a team to help participating groups prepare for the event, conduct a demonstration and answer any questions they might have including how to organize future activities for themselves. "Our team will be able to go out and visit these active living centres and not only show them the basics of these events, but also what they would actually look like with the equipment set up using the actual space within the centre," Heidrick says. Interested groups will be able to sign up for AAIM for Fun beginning in September and AAIM plans to begin offering information sessions starting in October. Members of the public will be able to learn Fun is the 'AAIM' of new 55+ Games initiative BY JIM TIMLICK FOR THE FREE PRESS Organizers of the Manitoba 55+ Games will soon launch a new initiative they hope will bring the Games to people close to home to introduce age-friendly and socially engaging activities that encourage them to participate in sport for life. The AAIM for Fun program is scheduled to kick off later this month at various locations throughout the province. It's the brainchild of Active Aging in Manitoba (AAIM), a not-for-profit organization that co-ordinates the provincial 55+ Games. "IT'S REALLY ABOUT ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION."

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