Active Aging

MOBILITY PRODUCTS CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR NEEDS LIFT CHAIRS, WALKERS, STAIRLIFTS AND MORE! > homequip.ca 385-550 Century St. (204) 949-2300 SENIORS' & ELDERS' MONTH PRESENTATIONS: All presentations are free of charge Breast Cancer 101: Back to Basics… There is no end to the information we receive on how to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer through diet and lifestyle. However, too much information can lead to confusion. Join the registered dietitian from the WRHA Breast Health Centre to answer your questions and to learn what the best advice is to reduce the risk of breast cancer. This will also include a discussion on how to put some of the ideas into action. Mon., Oct. 3, 6:30-8 p.m. Tips for Talking to Your Pharmacist Did you know your pharmacist can help you improve your health in many more ways than just giving you your pills? Whether you have questions about your medication, need help choosing a vitamin product or need a vaccination, your pharmacist is always there to help you! This session will help make your relationship with your pharmacist more rewarding than ever. Tues., Oct. 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Finding Time For Healthy Eating Join a registered dietitian to discover some great tips on grocery shopping, meal preparation, portion control and more. Thurs., Oct. 6, 7-8:30 p.m. Heart Healthy Nutrition Class High cholesterol? Heart disease? Join a registered dietitian to learn about the types of dietary fat and their role in heart health. Plus, get tips on adding fibre, lowering sodium and de-coding labels. Tues., Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m.-noon Be Kind to Your Kidneys Have you been told your kidneys are not functioning 100 per cent? Join us to learn what to do to keep them as healthy as possible. Discussion includes keeping sodium low but food still tasty, foods you need to avoid and label reading. Wed., Oct. 19, 10-11:30 a.m. 6 ACTIVE AGING WEEK | SEPTEMBER 25 - OCTOBER 1, 2016 While older adults can generally expect to live longer, healthier lives than ever before, they also face issues yesterday's seniors never had to worry about . With families shrinking and moving farther and farther apart, one of the greatest challenges seniors currently face is the risk of social isolation. Once adults retire, the potential for social isolation greatly increases, warns Connie Newman, executive director of the Manitoba Association of Seniors' Centres. "One of the basic needs in life is social participation — just as we need food and shelter, we need connection with others. Social participation is considered to be one of the determinants of health," she says. "We're connected through our work and any other hobbies we might have, but then we retire and we're left on our own." It used to be that seniors could count on their families to fill their need for social interaction, but that's rarely the case these days. Newman says geographic isolation from our loved ones is often to blame. "The family dynamic has changed so much over the years — families have moved and they're smaller. Either our parents aren't close to us or our kids aren't close to us." Thankfully, seniors' centres can bridge this gap, offering opportunities for older adults to find companionship among their peers. "People are looking for other connections, or connections of their own choice, and seniors' centres have become a way for people to connect," says Newman. "Social connection can help improve mental health over the years. It's not good to stay sitting at home by yourself, staring at those same four walls." Unfortunately, even seniors who are longing for friendship and camaraderie may avoid going to centres out of fear or shyness. Seniors' centres can help make this first step easier by doing their best to make everyone feel welcome as soon as they come in the door, Newman says. "When you walk into any new situation by yourself, it's hard. A welcoming atmosphere is crucial — those first impressions are so important." So what exactly goes on in a seniors' centre? Newman says it varies widely, but generally there is a mix of exercise classes, games, a lounge where people can chat, and educational workshops. She says many centres offer a monthly lunch or field trips, and she's also heard of golf clubs, men's woodworking classes, curling clubs, men's cooking classes and dancing. "Dancing is a big activity that's started to surface, especially line dancing, because anyone can line dance. You don't need a partner." Today's seniors tend to be very active, so the common impression most people have of a seniors' centre is bound to be quite old-fashioned. "There's a lot of laughter at seniors' centres. Some of the popular activities are drums alive classes, Zumba classes and pickleball," says Newman. Pickleball is played with a small whiffle ball, a low net, a badminton-sized court, and a paddle. Anyone who can walk can play. "It's taken on a life of its own," Newman says. "Seniors' centres are a home away from home for so many. Some people spend all day there." Even though access to the Internet, Skype and Facebook among older adults is increasing exponentially, she stresses that these types of connections will never replace face- to-face interaction. "Seniors' centres are perfect for anyone who wants to connect with other people. Happy people are connected people," she says. "Sometimes if we're not healthy mentally, it impacts our physical health. We start feeling bad about everything." Chances are pretty good there's a seniors' centre in your community and you aren't even aware of it, says Newman. "People need to look around their neigh- bourhoods — seniors' centres come in various models, shapes and sizes," she adds. "There could be one located right beside you and you wouldn't know it. I call the centres our best- kept secret." Nearly 50 centres are members of the Manitoba Association of Seniors' Centres, but Newman suspects there are at least 40 additional centres in the province. Membership to a centre is generally available to those 55 and up, but exceptions can be made. "If someone is 45 and retired, they may become an associate member. We don't turn anyone away," Newman says. Stay social BY HOLLI MONCRIEFF MANY CENTRES OFFER A MONTHLY LUNCH OR FIELD TRIPS, AND SHE'S ALSO HEARD OF GOLF CLUBS, MEN'S WOODWORKING CLASSES, CURLING CLUBS, MEN'S COOKING CLASSES AND DANCING. "

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