Active Aging

8 ACTIVE AGING | SPRING 2021 BY JIM BENDER T he leaders of Active Aging in Manitoba (AAIM) are determined to resume its most important week after the pandemic forced its cancellation last October. Plans are already underway to organize what had been the non-profit organization's annual Active Aging Week, to be held all over Manitoba this Oct. 4-11. "We're excited to re-connect with people and to do it in as safe a way as possible," AAIM executive director Karin Whalen says. "Right now, the restrictions have been tightened, so activities could be limited. The pandemic has forced us to think about how we can do things and forced us to be creative." In other words, the special week will be held whether the Province is still under COVID restrictions or not. "We'll have to abide by the public health orders," says Whalen. "We're thinking about what we can do and we're planting that seed." Active Aging Week was established by the International Council on Active Aging in 2003 to give adults aged 50 and over the opportunity to engage in activities and events that contribute to their health and well-being. It follows the International Day of Older Persons on Oct. 1. Activities include walking, cycling, dancing, different kinds of games, like pickle ball, health fairs and card games. At the present time, the only activities that are allowed are those that you can do alone, or with social distancing, such as walking and cycling, or participate with other members of your own household, such as dance movements and card games. "As we know, leading as active a life as we can opens up other dimensions, like mental well-being and gives a boost in your life," she says. "It helps when you're at home inside your bubble." Keeping active is great for your heart, brain and lungs as you age. Most older adults are more inclined to get involved in activities that are planned for them, notes Whalen. "It's all about being fun and making it easy to participate. Socialization is a big part of it, too." AAIM is now establishing a calendar where different communities can suggest activities and encourage the older adults to get involved. "We're creating a calendar online and want communities to include what they are doing that week," adds Whalen. "We've never done this calendar approach before and we want to track all of the good things and all of the good stories there are throughout Manitoba. "We really hope that people will count themselves in and take part in it. We want to inject fun and hope in people's lives right now." In the past, about 50 of Manitoba's estimated 200 communities have gotten involved, said former AAIM executive director Jim Evanchuk. About 2,500 older Manitobans have participated within their own communities at no cost to them. "We would love to see many more," Evanchuk says. "We want to provide ideas and encourage more people to get involved. We want to engage older persons meaningfully and to get everybody engaged in the different activities before the cold winter months set in." AAIM has also approached Manitoba Possible, an organization for persons with disabilities, to get involved, Evanchuk said. "By October, we hope that we'll be in a situation where our reality is a little less restrictive. We're trying to use this pause meaningfully, so we can at least dream. We want to instill a sense of hope in communities. We don't want people to stop hoping and dreaming because that's important." Planning for Active Aging Opportunities "It's all about being fun and making it easy to participate. Socialization is a big part of it, too." Accessible, fun and low-impact, pickleball has become a popular activity with the 55- plus crowd in recent years. Courtesy Active Aging in Manitoba Cycling is a great way to stay active.

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