Active Aging

September 22-28, 2013 Active Aging Week 13 by Kathryne cardwell For the Free press W ho said getting older means getting humpy, lumpy and grumpy? Most of us would rather improve with age, and the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks General Hospital is providing a great opportunity to get started. The institute is hosting its sixth annual Active Aging Day on Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The open house offers baby boomers and seniors information and inspiration to help them stay healthy and active as they age. Along with providing workout facilities and classes to encourage physical, mental and emotional well-being, the Wellness Institute works to educate the community about rehabilitation, disease prevention and overall good health. "Sometimes there might be a stereotype out there that as you age, you do less," says Ashley Derlago, a certified exercise physiologist who serves as the Wellness Institute's health education and lifestyles coordinator. "Some people assume that they can't stay active so they don't. But you can, even if you aren't as strong or as flexible as before." Active Aging Day is a free event held during Active Aging Week, which is organized by the Wellness Institute in partnership with the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults in Manitoba (ALCOA-MB). Although it's focused on the 55-plus community, everyone is welcome to attend. As Manitoba's population ages, Derlago says there's a growing need to understand how important it is to keep moving. Up to 60% of older adults lead sedentary lives, and some studies show that can be as harmful to your health as smoking — leading to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, loss of bone and muscle strength and heart, lung and weight problems. On the flip side, increased activity can boost your immune system, extend your lifespan, reduce your risk of chronic health problems, enhance your overall physical, mental and emotional wellness, and contribute to a better quality of life. Adults who stay fit, healthy and happy are far more likely to be able to live independently in their later years. And the sooner you adopt an active lifestyle, the better. "It's really important to get started," Derlago says. "Find something you enjoy and you'll be more likely to keep doing it." You may just find that interest during Active Aging Day. Visitors will be given a Passport to Active Aging, which contains information on the day's activities. Collect passport stamps at each exhibit for a chance to win prizes such as calendars, meditation diaries, Wellness Institute passes, urban walking poles and more. Exhibits will provide information on a variety of subjects, including weight management, preventing joint pain and dealing with chronic pain. You can ask about medications at a pharmacy exhibit and undergo free screening for concerns about hearing, balance, blood pressure, strength, nutrition, physical endurance and waist girth. Take in a seminar such as Fiber is Your Friend — a cooking demonstration on preparing quick, healthy and tasty meals — or SafetyAid, which focuses on ways seniors can prevent falls and protect themselves from crime. Learn about opportunities to travel or volunteer in your community. And stop by the ALCOA-MB activity area, where you can participate in demonstrations of pickleball, Nordic pole walking and other examples of events that are part of the Manitoba 55 Plus Games. There will also be stretch breaks and exercise groups throughout the day. Last year, the Wellness Institute introduced five Active Aging Ambassadors — people 55 and older who were nominated by friends, family or community members as role models. The 2013 ambassadors will be at Active Aging Day to share their stories and inspire others to live life to the fullest. "It's such a great event. There's something for everyone," Derlago says. "The event has really grown and developed over the years and we have a huge connection with the community now." For more information, visit www.alcoamb.org or sogh.ca/wellness. get cultureD You don't have to love the nightlife to enjoy Winnipeg's vibrant arts and cultural scene. Daytime is a great time to catch concerts, art lectures, plays and other events. Attend on your own, or ask your area senior centre about group excursions. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra offers several matinees, including a Friday-morning concert series. Manitoba Theatre Centre's Wednesday afternoon performances cater to older adults and the Winnipeg Art Gallery has a series of Arts for Lunch lectures. Most arts groups offer discounts on tickets or season subscriptions for seniors, and if you sign up as a volunteer, you may enjoy free tickets and other benefits. Prairie Theatre Exchange volunteers get two tickets to a play for each shift they log as an usher or ticket- taker. Help out at the WAG's Jazz on the Rooftop performances or West End Cultural Centre concerts and enjoy the free show. Or sign up with MTC, where volunteers get the inside track on plays with invitations to special dress rehearsals. MTC outreach manager Jennifer Cheslock says many older adults return to MTC's Winnipeg Fringe Festival every summer because they enjoy the camaraderie and excitement of the festival buzz. And there are year- round opportunities to help organize special events or lend a hand with theatre administration. Whatever your interest, chances are there's a volunteer opportunity for you. Spend more time at the Assiniboine Park Zoo as a goodwill ambassador, help out at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's thrift store or volunteer with your senior centre to arrange group trips to special attractions. Volunteering is a great way to get to know your community, support local organizations and expand your social horizons. by pat St. germain For the Free Press P at and Bob Migliore are getting a lot of mileage out of their retirement years. They go to plays, attend concerts, take part in league bowling, enjoy the outdoors and participate in service clubs — and that's just for starters. As volunteers with a wide range of groups, they're constantly on the go, and they enjoy a rich and varied social life as a result. "We know so many different people from so many walks of life because of all the volunteering," Pat says. The Migliores have an exhaustive list of commitments — they volunteer with CJNU nostalgia radio, the West End Cultural Centre (WECC), the Optimist Club, their bowling league, Shakespeare in the Ruins, Naturist Legacy Park nudist group and more. "We did a lot of it while we were working and I don't know how we did," Pat says. Bob, 72, retired from his job as a University of Manitoba lab technologist 14 years ago, and Pat, 66, left her job as a part-time administrative assistant about five years back. Retirement gave them more free time, and they've decided to spend it on activities that are fun and rewarding. "We like to give back to the community and since we don't have that much money the way to give back is to volunteer our time," Pat says. "My criteria is if we're not enjoying it, then stop doing it, because we have that option." But it's not an option they've felt the need to exercise. As volunteer key ushers with Manitoba Theatre Centre, the couple see every play at the mainstage and at the Tom Hendry Theatre warehouse. If a country, folk or Celtic music act is playing at the WECC, they can catch the show as volunteers at the door or the bar. And they see dozens of Winnipeg Fringe Festival plays during the summer festival, for which Pat has worked as a volunteer for 25 years. "We totally enjoy it. Every once in a while we'll say, 'OK we've got to sit down and we've got to start cutting something.' Last year we were sort of thinking about maybe we'll start cutting down on stuff. We ended up taking on WECC and CJNU," Pat says. "There's going to come a time when there's a possibility we can't do it any more, so while we still can and we're enjoying it, why not?" In fact, staying active and involved in the community contributes to good health, and it may prolong their volunteer careers. Pat says that all the groups she's involved in, such as her Beta Sigma Phi sorority chapter, are finding it's a challenge to recruit new volunteers. She says some people don't want to make a standing commitment, but they're missing out on great opportunities. "I just can't understand why people aren't volunteering big time," she says. "It certainly doesn't allow any room for boredom — it definitely doesn't. As long as it's fun and you enjoy what you're doing, go for it, especially if you're healthy enough to be able to do it." time Well sPent these volunteers enjoy fun fringe benefits TheManitobaFitnessCouncil(MFC)offersits nationallyrecognizedprogramtotrainfitness leadersintheprovinceofManitoba.MFChas alsobeenendorsedbytheProvinceofManitoba, theUniversityofWinnipegandtheUniversityof Manitobatoprovideapprovedfitnessleadership certification. Weofferfivedifferentfitnessleadercertifications including:Groupfitness,ResistanceTraining, AquaFitnessandActiveOlderAdult. Formoreinfologontowww.manitobafitnesscouncil.ca Phone204-235-1245 info@manitobafitnesscouncil.ca YourSourceforFitness LeaderTrainingand Education PROFESSIONAL,APPLIED AND CONTINUINGEDUCATION 55 Plus courses Enhance your knowledge of current and historical events with like minded people. LITERATURE•POLITICS•MUSIC RELIGION•FITNESS•SCIENCE ART•CURRENTISSUES•HISTORY StartsOctober17,2013 TheArchitectureofRome andHerEmpire StartsOctober23,2013 APlacetoCallOurOwn: AnExplorationofIssuesinHousing Twentycoursestochoosefrom inFALL2013andWINTER2014. Forinfo(204)982-6633 orvisitPACE.UWinnipg.ca As volunteers with a wide range of groups, they're constantly on the go, and they enjoy a rich and varied social life as a result. "We know so many different people from so many walks of life because of all the volunteering," Pat says. } { Bob and Pat Migliore don't have time for boredom. They're too busy volunteering and having fun doing it. Photo by Darcy Finley Acting Aging Day is a great time to try new things and discover all the resources that are available at the Wellness Institute. Photo courtesy of the Wellness Institute get uP AnD go Kickstart your life at Active Aging day Tryavarietyofphysicalactivities suchasJive&Jam,UrbanPoling, DrumsAlive,andJointWorks designedforolderadultstolearn abouthealthyliving! Alllevelsofphysicalabilityare welcomeandencouragedtoattend. JOIN US ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2ND, 2013 TO KICK OFF SENIORS MONTH! thisprojectisajointventurebetween ExtendedEducation-LifelongLearning FacultyofKinesiologyandRecreationManagement RecreationServices Goto:umanitoba.ca/extended/life orcall:204-474-6661 formoredetailedsessiondescriptions andinstructorbiographies

• Cover