Active Aging

14 ACTIVE AGING | SPRING 2021 a support person for someone who does." Between eight and 12 attendees with different chronic physical or mental health problems attend together to deal with the common issues they face. They also motivate each other with solutions and techniques for dealing with frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation. Other focuses include appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance, as well as appropriate use of medications. Attendees also learn about maintaining appropriate nutrition and communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals. Another program called Powerful Tools for Caregivers focuses on best practices similar to Get Better Together, while also providing caregivers with tools and techniques to manage their own health while they continue to care for their friend or relative. "There are two versions of the program: one for those caring for an adult and another for those caring for a child with special needs," Yonda says. "Programming is free of charge and is led by two trained leaders who are typically caregivers themselves." Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a 90-minute workshop offered once a week for six weeks for a class of eight to 12 other caregivers. Yonda points to evidence that indicates caregivers who participate in the program have demonstrated improvements in self-care behaviours, management of emotions, self-efficacy and use of community resources. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 "The transition to virtual has been smooth and proved beneficial to Manitobans who wish to stay connected with peers, share their conditions and support others while helping themselves." CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 Going for a walk on the Wellness Institute's indoor track is a safe, effective way to get a good workout. Photo by Darin Kachanoski

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