Active Aging

Aging EEK EEK g g g JOIN US FOR ACTIVE 1390 Taylor Avenue www.reh-fit.com FEEL YOUNGER AND MANAGE HEALTH ISSUES! T THE MOST EFFECTIVE FIND OUT FIN FIND O D OU OUT UT T T TH THE HE MO MOS OST ST E T EF EFF FFE FEC ECT CTI TIV IVE VE LEAD A HEALTHIER, WAYS TO L WA WAY AYS AYS YS TO TO LE O LEA LEAD AD AD A D A HE HEA EAL ALT LTH THIE HIER ER ER, R, VE LIFE, AND FEEL MORE ACTIV MOR ORE RE A E AC ACT V CTIVE TIVE LIF LIFE FE, E, A , AN AND ND F D FE FEE EEL EL AT ANY AGE. YOUR BEST A YO YOU OUR BE BES EST A ST A T AT AN ANY NY AG AGE GE. E. J eh-Fit Centre for a range oin us at the Re oin oin us us at t t th the Reh Reh- eh-Fi Fit C t Ce Cen entr tre fo for or a ran ange rograms and health rograms and health of educational pr of educational p of of e o ed f edu educa u ati cation t ona o al p na pr l rog pr p ogr ogra g am ams ms an s and a d h nd he heal health a h th s. screening clinics scre cree een enin ing clin linic nics. cs COMMUNITY REH-FIT CO RE REH EH- H-FIT FIT CO COM COMM MMU MUN UNI NIT ITY TY OUSE OPEN HO OP OPE PEN EN HO HOU OUS US USE SE • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••• • - - € I n conversations with all the seniors I've met it's all about the quality of life. People in the older years of their life want to stay healthier longer. That means they can stay active and healthier longer in their own homes and communities." The 55 Plus Games, originally known as the MSOS Games, were originally conceived of as a way to encourage Manitobans 55 years of age or older to engage in regular physical, mental and social activities. It has grown from 365 participants in its initial year to more than 1,000 at this year's Games in Brandon. While they have grown in size, Heidrick says the primary focus of the Games has remained the same. "We like to say the Games are about fun, fitness and fellowship. There are participants that are still athletes at heart and they come to challenge themselves but it's really about participating," she says. "It's not just about going to the Games, it's about having that active lifestyle all year round. We like to introduce people to activities they can do in their own homes or apartment blocks or seniors' centres." Each year's Games are comprised of between 20 and 25 events. They are divided into three main categories: physical activities such as pickleball, slo-pitch and cycling; low-impact sports such as lawn bowling, golf and floor curling; and so-called healthy brain games such as bridge, cribbage and whist. Most events are open to everyone but a few, such as the healthy brain games, involve regional lead-up events due to their popularity. Heidrick says Games participants represent a diverse cross section of Manitobans from every corner of the province. "It can be anyone from 55 to 105. Last year we had a 100-year-old participant," she says. "We get a group from The Pas who come each year. It's like a summer holiday for them. We've even had one guy who is the father of an Olympian." During the first four years of their existence the Games were staged in Winnipeg. Since then they have been hosted by rural Manitoba communities every year other than during their 25th anniversary in 2007 when they returned to the provincial capital. "The Games seem to animate the hosting community and highlight the best they have to offer," Heidrick says. "The Games engage hundreds of local volunteers, to enrich the experience for all visiting event participants. This leads to ongoing volunteer participation and team building long after the Games leave town". Next year's 55 Plus Games will take place in Killarney. It will be the third time the southwest Manitoba community will host the Games, making it the only community other than Winnipeg to stage the event three or more times. Killarney previously hosted the Games in 1996 and 2010. Heidrick says the town's past experience as host and a strong volunteer base led by host committee chair Bob Moore made it an easy choice. "They've got the experience from previous Games and they really have an insight into what to do," she says. The 2017 Games have some added significance. It will mark the 35th anniversary of the event here in Manitoba and will take place a few weeks prior to the nation's 150th birthday. "I know they are really excited in Killarney and it's going to be a special year for the Games. People there are extremely excited to be hosting it for the third time and feel that's a pretty big accomplishment," Heidrick says. The Games' organizing committee has already scheduled several new events for next year including tennis, swimming, a 16-kilometre cycling competition and several field events. "There's a demand from year to year to add some variety and spice things up and the organizing committee has really listened to that," Heidrick adds. The 55 Plus Games include events such as lawn bowling, pool, floor curling and card games. ALCOA-MB photos SEPTEMBER 25 - OCTOBER 1, 2016 | ACTIVE AGING WEEK 13 Team Manitoba turned in an impressive performance at this year's Canada 55 Plus Games in Brampton, Ont. Manitoba's 108-member team earned a total of 52 medals at the national competition including 25 gold, 22 silver and five bronze. The Canada 55 Plus Games are held every other year and feature 22 sports including ice hockey, golf, pickleball, slo-pitch, swimming, tennis and track and field. "

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