Active Aging

SPRING 2021 | ACTIVE AGING 5 BY TRINA REHBERG BOYKO A ctive Aging in Manitoba (AAIM) has long promoted active living for older adults, though its mission is especially important during the time we're living in right now. With the shutdown of in-person recreation programs and restrictions on socialization due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many older adults are feeling the effects of isolation. They might live alone, or in a retirement home with strict visitation policies. They might struggle with the change in routine, or the lack thereof. All these things can take a toll, physically and mentally. Enter AAIM and its Take a Minute to Move TWOgether program. What started as a series of brief radio segments on nostalgia music station CJNU 93.7 FM, walking listeners through movement breaks at home, turned into further program modifications that would take it a step further. AAIM created the Take a Minute to Move TWOgether program, and teamed up with AAIM Peer Leaders, encouraging older adults to connect and move together— while apart. "Active Aging in Manitoba has peer leaders all over the province," says Linda Brown, a master trainer with AAIM who trains the organization's volunteer peer leaders. "They could be in their 60s, 70s or 80s, leading fitness classes in their buildings, community centres or church groups. Because of COVID, everything came to a halt." The Take a Minute to Move TWOgether program has given those peer leaders a chance to keep on leading fitness activities by connecting with a friend, relative, neighbour, former class participant, or anyone in their community who might be feeling isolated and wanting to get more active. Rather than exercising together in person, however, the peer leader and participant will arrange to exercise together from a distance. "It provides socialization for the leader and the individual they're reaching out to," says Brown. "It keeps them moving." The pair can then choose when to work out and how—whether it's once or five times a week, through a virtual meeting platform or by phone. AAIM is flexible in its programming, taking into consideration that some might not have access to or understanding of current technologies. The organization is also flexible in terms of physical abilities and restrictions. This program focuses on the basics—on improving the abilities of older adults to manage in their daily lives. Fall prevention, balance and stability, and simple movement to benefit overall health, is the focus. AAIM provides each leader with a package of exercise and activity tracker sheets, which they can share with their workout buddy. The exercise sheets provide participants with a visual and description of the exercises they'll be doing, while the activity tracker sheets help them keep track of their workouts and how they feel as they progress through their 10-week program. At the end of 10 weeks, participants can send in their activity tracker sheets and evaluation forms to be entered in a draw for prizes that will help them maintain their healthy habits. The real prize though, is the connection, the improvement in physical and mental health, and the return to some semblance of normalcy that so many are craving. "The goal is really just to maintain a healthy lifestyle," says Brown. "We know there are health benefits to staying active and as you get older, that equates to being able to stay at home longer and to perform those activities of daily living." To find out what AAIM has to offer or to get involved with the Take a Minute to Move TWOgether program, visit activeagingmb. ca or call 204-632-3947 (toll-free: 1-866- 202-6663). "Active Aging in Manitoba has peer leaders all over the province." Take a Minute to Move TWOgether – People Helping People Taking a yoga class online is a great way to get moving and work on your flexibility.

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