Active Aging

14 ACTIVE AGING WEEK | SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2017 S U P P O R T & E M P O W E R O L D E R M A N I T O B A N S AOSUPPORTSERVICES.CA A & O : SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS Learn how you can make a difference in the lives of older adults in our community. 204-956-6440 Foot Care for Seniors Mobile Foot Care Nurses in the privacy of your home or hospitals 204-837-6629 or 1-877-Do-My-Feet Adherence to Canadian Standards for infection control utilizing sterilized instruments BLUE CROSS & ACCREDITED INSURANCE PROVIDER SAM MANAGEMENT senior's housing throughout Winnipeg. Call the number to find your new home Phone: (204) 942-0991 www.sam.mb.ca 1080 Portage Avenue 2nd Floor Winnipeg, MB SAM MANAGEMENT Affordable senior's housing throughout Winnipeg. Call the number to find your new home Phone: (204) 942-0991 www.sam.mb.ca 1080 Portage Avenue 2nd Floor Winnipeg, MB Affordable Seniors Housing Throughout Winnipeg PHONE 204-942-0991 TO FIND YOUR NEW HOME 1080 PORTAGE AVE, 2ND FLOOR, WINNIPEG sam.mb.ca W ith an irrepressible zest for life and just one other participant, Winnipeg resident Sandy Hudson started an outdoor adventure group to encourage women to explore Manitoba — and the wonders of life to be discovered outside of one's comfort zone. Seven years later, her "Experience Manitoba" meet-up group (meetup.com/Experience- Manitoba-Group) has grown to include more than 1,380 members and a crew of seven dedicated volunteers. Together, they have regular opportunities to get together to socialize and participate in a wide variety of outdoor adventures, from simple nature walks to more spirited fun, such as canoeing and dog-sledding. "When women get together, you tend to get a special kind of bond and a special kind of support for one another," says Hudson, who organized women's groups for 10 years in her native Great Britain, before immigrating to Canada. "Many of the women who come along with us are at a transitional stage in their lives, including those who may be new in Canada and Manitoba, recently divorced or widowed, retirees and empty nesters. They may be wondering 'Who am I?' and 'How do I find my own life?' We are all about welcoming everybody from all walks of life." Prospective members need only computer access, a PayPal account and a willingness to participate. Planned activities are posted on the group's meet-up site, where members register and pay a nominal fee (via PayPal) to participate in specific events. Groups are usually limited to a dozen women, with a waiting list option that lets organizers gauge the popularity of certain events, so they can plan accordingly. Transportation to activities is provided via organized carpools, with participants typically meeting at a designated restaurant parking lot on a major bus route. "We don't have kids at our events because we really want our members to have no responsibilities and just be able to have fun and be child-like themselves," says Hudson. "It is important to me and the team leaders to make sure that the women are getting some kind of a break, having a good time and trying something new. "Our motto is 'Do something every day that scares you.' For some women, that could be simply coming for a group walk with women they have never met before." Every group activity includes a mix of new and established members to make everyone feel welcome as they participate in winter activities such as snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, tobogganing and tubing. The warmer months might feature outings centred on hiking, bird watching, farm visits, Fort Whyte day trips, canoeing, camping or cycling. "Even when hiking, we always go at the pace of the slowest participant, so it's not about the exercise so much as it is about experiencing Manitoba," says Hudson. "You don't necessarily have to be a fitness person to enjoy yourself with us." Studies continue to show there are genuine benefits to getting active and maintaining social connections. According to a report by Statistics Canada, "social engagement — involvement in meaningful activities and maintaining close friendships — is a component of successful aging," often enhancing a person's physical and mental health. But the women of Experience Manitoba probably don't need statisticians to confirm that they are onto a good thing. "I joined Experience Manitoba when I was 55 and have never looked back," says Helen. "I do things that I never thought I would do at my age, such as zip-lining — I love it! This group will try anything, from a simple walk to canoeing to camping. If it is done outdoors, we have probably tried it." Helen calls Sandy Hudson "an amazing woman" who always makes everyone feel welcome and ensures women of all ages have a good time on their outings. Others agree that Hudson's joie de vivre is not only inspiring, but also heartily shared by the group. "I am 70-plus years old and live alone, but I am anything but finished with loving and living life fully," says another member. "In the past 18 months, I've gone on canoeing trips, hiking adventures, learned Nordic pole walking, enjoyed dog-sledding and birdwatching, attended a Nordic spa and flew in an ultralight airplane. In a few weeks, I will be camping in Riding Mountain National Park — all with the terrific women of Experience Manitoba." "There is such an amazing life out there," says Hudson, who "absolutely loves" Manitoba and, as a result, is reputed to know more about Manitoba than most people who were born here. "It's fun and it's always different. You just never know what you're going to find in your own back yard." Fun & friendship Studies continue to show there are genuine benefits to getting active and maintaining social connections. According to a report by Statistics Canada, "social engagement — involvement in meaningful activities and maintaining close friendships — is a component of successful aging," often enhancing a person's physical and mental health.

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