Active Aging

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 | Active Aging Week 9 Is it time to make your next Move? To a condo, apartment or senior's home? Call us for a FREE Condo/Home Market Evaluation. Charlene Urbanski Realtor@, SRES 204.612.6655 Aleethia Mackay Realtor@ 204.798.5312 Join us Thursdays, 1 - 3 pm at Unit E-730 St. Anne's Road for coffee, cookies, and a chat! Realtors Aleethia Mackay & Charlene Urbanski Senior Rates 65+ (plus taxes and disbursements) One Will $195.00 Mutual Wills $295.00 Power of Attorney $150.00 Two Power of Attorneys $250.00 Will and Power of Attorney $295.00 Mutual Wills and Power of Attorneys $395.00 1002 Pembina Highway (204) 284.3221 Where there's a Will... Naturally, the health benefits – physical and mental – increase when you walk faster, longer and more often. The Canadian Mental Health Association reports that walking, especially outdoors and with others, can help improve your mental health by relieving tension and reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Erin Crawford, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, agrees that walking is an excellent form of exercise to enhance brain health. "Physical activity, such as walking, increases blood flow to the brain, improving delivery of much-needed oxygen and nutrients," says Crawford. "Regular walking also enhances the release of hormones that stimulate relaxation and improve your mood." Crawford says the social connection and appealing physical environment that comes with walking in groups or outdoors promotes cognitive stimulation. Being socially connected has been shown to further reduce the risk of developing dementia. "For folks who may already have a dementia diagnosis, we continue to emphasize the value of staying active," she says. "We offer programs aimed at keeping people active and engaged, including one with FortWhyte Alive, where participants go on a guided walk through their grounds each week to observe and discover the nature around them." But first things first. "If you haven't been active or have a health condition, we recommend that you check with your doctor before embarking on any physical activity program," says Brown. "You'll also need a good pair of athletic shoes for proper foot support and cushioning." Brown says a few active stretches are a good idea before starting your walks. Pre-walk stretches could include ankle flexing to warm up your ankles and shoulder rolls to warm up your shoulders. It's also best to start off walking slowly to gradually increase muscle/body temperature. "The best time to stretch is after your walk when muscles and joints are warmed up," says Brown. "Post-walk stretches are important to improve flexibility and reduce possible muscle soreness." It's especially important to stretch your calves (lower legs), back of legs (hamstrings), front of legs (quadriceps), and hip flexors (muscles toward the front of your hips). Group walks provide socialization, motivation and a greater sense of personal safety, so AAIM offers Steppin' Out with Confidence, a free training course for walking group peer leaders. Participants learn about basic anatomy and how to organize and lead a walking group. The program is designed to encourage older adults to adopt an active lifestyle by offering support and encouraging the development of social networks. Would-be walkers who prefer to walk indoors can participate in mall walking programs offered by most of Winnipeg's major shopping centers. Typically taking place before the mall opens to the public, these free programs allow walkers to exercise in a safe, climate-controlled environment with level, predictable terrain, on a year-round basis. Malls also offer convenient amenities such as washrooms and restaurants. Brown recommends calling your local mall for full details, such as mall walking hours and specific access doors. Contact information for Winnipeg malls is available on the AAIM website at www.activeagingmb.ca PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SUCH AS WALKING, INCREASES BLOOD FLOW TO THE BRAIN, IMPROVING DELIVERY OF MUCH-NEEDED OXYGEN AND NUTRIENTS" Erin Crawford, CEO, Alzheimer Society in Manitoba " IT'S ALSO BEST TO START OFF WALKING SLOWLY TO GRADUALLY INCREASE MUSCLE/BODY TEMPERATURE A brisk walk is great for the heart, lungs & mind.

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