Active Aging

6 Active Aging Week | OCTOBER 5-11, 2020 Welcome to the Wellness Institute BY GEOFF KIRBYSON R ecent visitors to the Wellness Institute can be excused if they don't recognize the place. That's because the self-supporting non-profit organization, the Lifestyle Medicine department of Seven Oaks General Hospital, has been given a complete COVID-19 overhaul. "Life looks a lot different now being open than it did pre-pandemic," says Karin Whalen, its director of community services. "We've put together a comprehensive strategy to address personal concerns. We see a lot of people here with chronic conditions and they're at an increased risk with COVID." Visitors are screened before walking in the building, all of the staff wear personal protective equipment, physical distancing measures are in place and you've got to follow the arrows on the floor, for starters. Once you get inside, some programs aren't being offered because of safety restrictions and many of those that are have a very different feel than they used to. For example, in the fitness studio, which has a maximum capacity of 50, just 15 people are allowed at a time and you've got to register in advance to book your spot. There are webinars and video workouts, too. "Every individual is different. They have to be comfortable with their own decision. Staying active is key. We all have to look after ourselves," she says. "It's all about comfort levels. We want people to proceed with caution depending on their own health and circumstances." All guests and members are required to wear a mask for all visits. Once they're inside, however, there are a few exceptions. Masks do not need to be worn during exercise or in the showers and masks may be removed while lying face down during massage. Children under the age of six do not need to wear a mask. Every piece of equipment is sanitized on a schedule, lockers are wiped down, the steam rooms and whirlpools are closed, there's no towel service, the pool has limited capacity and if you want to go for a run, you can't do it on the indoor track. Instead, you'll have to use the treadmills or outdoor track. The indoor track is for walking only. "We're taking every precaution we can for everybody. We have an electrostatic sprayer and every evening, we go through the entire building and spray everything down," she says. But the staff can only control what they can control. So, if you're sick or not feeling well, stay home. The new standards aren't coming out of left field, either. They're aligned with guidance from the World Health Organization, the CDC (Centre for Disease Control), the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Medical Fitness Association, Manitoba Shared Health and the City of Winnipeg. The 80,000-square-foot facility at Seven Oaks Hospital on Leila Avenue closed in mid- March as part of the province-wide lockdown and then reopened in early June. Accumulate the capital How will you be remembered? For more information, visit cropo.com 2 locations to serve you 1442 Main Street and 1800 Day Street 204-586-8044 204-224-8044 Left to right: Fitness co-ordinator Lori Orchard (centre of photo) prepares to lead an exercise class with participants physically distanced; a member arrives ready to exercise; Wellness Institute staff physically distance on the gym floor in their PPE. PHOTOS BY DARIN KACHANOSKI

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