Active Aging

8 ACTIVE AGING WEEK OCTOBER 1-7, 2019 Treatment for arthritis, back/neck pain and dizziness OFFERING CLASSES FOR: Knee Classes Balance Classes Parkinsons Classes Let us help you stay active 1555 St. Mary's Road 204-255-0597 stvitalphysio.ca Serving the community of St. Vital for 32 years Active, connected & fun BY JENNIFER MCFEE The opportunities are endless for Manitobans aged 55 and older at Active Living Centres throughout the province. Connie Newman, executive director of the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres (MASC), says the organization is redefining the notion of the term "active." "We, as an organization, are redefining Active Living Centres as places where older adults go to get socially engaged in a wide variety of activity," she said. "We know today that social connection is a determinant of one's own health. So it doesn't matter what age we are — the more we can get socially connected and avoid social isolation, the better off we're all going to be." Active Living Centres are places where people can actively engage their bodies or minds. "They can engage their mind through activities like doing a puzzle, playing cards or joining a book club. For their body, they can get involved in physical activity, such as things like yoga and chair exercises. Pickleball is also huge in terms of physical activity," Newman said. "Drums Alive is another one that's happening out there in a lot of places. You put a big exercise ball in a round laundry basket to make it stable and then you dance around it, hitting the ball with drumsticks to the rhythm of the music. Just because we're older doesn't mean we're stopping the fun aspect of life." Active Living Centres are places where people can actively engage their bodies or minds.

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