Exercise programs are adding huge benefits to social networking at local senior centres


et’s take a quick poll. If you could exercise with a buddy, would you be more inclined to do so? How about a walking club, would you join one? If the answer is yes, you may not have to look much further than your local senior centre.


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Senior centres across the province provide a meeting place for seniors who can be at risk for social isolation, helping them stay connected to their community. Many centres also incorporate health promotion and healthy living initiatives into their programs. Senior cen- tres are


well-positioned


to provide a platform for social interaction and can be a great venue for exer- cise programs as well. For older adults, when you combine exercise with a supportive social environ- ment, the benefits grow exponentially.


Krystal Simpson Healthy Living


According to a study in the Population Health Management Journal, senior-orientated group fitness programs can im- prove both mental and physical health, and reduce


the burden associated with declining mobility. “Research regarding socialization and physical activity for seniors demonstrates the power of combining these two ele- ments in a program,” the Journal piece affirms. The re- port also noted that physical inactivity is a risk factor for chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Victoria Lifeline works with senior programs to pro-


vide their medical alarm service in over 350 communities in Manitoba and as such, they realized how vital and nec- essary these organizations are to the well-being of older adults. In recognition of the great work they do, Victoria Lifeline started a health promotion grant program about 10 years ago. The grants are available to senior service


Social interaction and exercise: one centre, two great benefits.


providers in Manitoba to engage in healthy living activi- ties. Victoria Lifeline is a not-for-profit service of The Victoria General Hospital Foundation, which is commit- ted to advancing healthcare both in the hospital and the broader community.


Since the inception of the grant program, Victoria Lifeline has been honoured to fund so many wonderful initiatives in communities like Killarney, Altona, St. Lau- rent, Lundar, Morden, Russell, Souris and LaBroquerie, just to name a few. These have included everything from exercise equipment and fall prevention programs, to a Wii system and corresponding fitness games for residents living in an assisted living facility. Grant money has been used to purchase wheelchairs for a drop-in centre and to cover transportation costs to bring in seniors to the cen- tre from remote areas. The money has helped build raised garden beds so seniors can grow their own vegetables for a congregate meal program. There have even been a few shuffle boards and bocce ball sets over the years! Vicki Russenholt, an education facilitator with Victo- ria Lifeline, said their staff and volunteers are thrilled to be able to give back to rural communities and help peo- ple age in place. “Working with older adults every day, we know that being physically active is a key component to remaining independent and living at home for as long as possible. We are happy to play a part in getting some of these initiatives off the ground.”


The Winkler Senior Centre was a recipient of this year’s


grant to expand their intergenerational walking program. The centre partnered with the Winkler elementary school in May to start an intergenerational walking program and the program was such a success that both the school and the centre wanted it to be an annual event. Winkler Senior Centre executive director Nettie Dyck said they will use the grant money to purchase walking poles to address some of the barriers to physical activity, such as poor balance, joint degeneration and chronic pain.


Walking poles can take some of the load off the lower


back, hips and knees. They also help maintain proper pos- ture and balance. The grant money will also fund an indoor walking program in the winter so participants can walk year round, and an educational session by a physiotherapist. “We loved the idea that this community was committed to helping people of all ages and abilities stay active,” said Vicki. “Our Lifeline staff can’t wait to see pictures of the poles being put to good use!”


For a complete listing of senior centres across the prov- ince, please visit the Manitoba Association for Senior Cen- tres website at https://www.manitobaseniorcentres.com/ locations/ The website also has a wealth of information on resources for older adults. Krystal Simpson is a communications officer with Victoria Lifeline, a community service of the Victoria General Hospital Foundation.


u By my mid-teens, 'biking was becoming part of who I was' Continued from page 1


could go longer distances and explore even more – from East St. Paul to Lock- port and Selkirk to Old River Road. Still in ad- venture


mode, cycling


was becoming part of who I was. Cycling was becoming more than just a recreational thing and a mode of transporta- tion, but was morphing into a sport I loved. In my late teens, I went to University of Winnipeg and worked at the Old Spaghetti Fac- tory downtown. While I could have cycled there, it was too dangerous to ride


down Henderson


Highway. Biking to the bus stop and locking my bike and jumping on the bus


Stefano Grande Downtown


was now the norm for my transportation, as my parents could not afford to buy a car for each of my three siblings. I relied on these two modes of transporta- tion to get my first degree and earn cash to pay for some of my tuition. As I got older, I lived and worked downtown, and my bike was my ev- erything. I cycled down- town to work, to the Y, to Osborne Village to grab some groceries, to head out to a pub, and more. There were no bike lines back then, barely any bike racks, and I became a mas- ter of urban cycling. What


I saved on gas and car insurance, I spent on my mortgage payment for my condo


and had lots left for food, drink and fash- ion!


Biking became my escape from the day-to-day work stress and my workout, which was often so hard to find time for during the work week.


I have a family with three boys now. They all have bikes, and my passion for cycling has influenced them. I feel I have become a better father because of the time I spend with them biking and bond- ing over something we love and share. Today, I still bike to work two or three days a week during the summer, and drag the bikes on almost every family va- cation, discovering different places. Our city has come a long way in em- bracing cycling as an essential means of transportation for people, and in under- standing the importance of creating a safe environment for cycling to flourish. Today our downtown business com-


munity understands the importance of cycling and how it’s tied to the overall growth and sustainability of our down- town and city. Cycling attracts a younger workforce, which expects and wants to bike to work. A growing number of cy- cling consumers want bike racks in front of restaurants, and these racks are more valuable than the single consumer in a car taking up the single on-street park- ing spot.


Whatever your reasons for riding, whether you ride for recreation, fitness, transportation, sport or just for fun, if you enjoying riding a bike, then cycling is for you. We’re continuing to work with the city to create the infrastructure needed, and we love working with orga- nizations to celebrate cycling with events like June’s Bike Week Winnipeg. Stefano Grande is executive director of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ


u Be safe and watch for symptoms of heat illness. It can be serious. Continued from page 1


ney problems, mental illness, dementia and Parkinson’s disease.


Here are some simple ways to avoid heat- related stress: • Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic bev-


erages. • Ask your doctor or pharmacist if the medications you are taking will affect your ability to cope with heat. • Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured cloth- ing, made from a breathable fabric, and a wide-brimmed hat. • Pay attention to local weather forecasts


Hon. Kelvin Goertzen Minister’s Message


July 2017


and plan your outings and outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day. • Wear sunscreen to prevent painful sun-


burn, and limit your exposure to damaging ultra-violet rays. Your sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 30. This will block 97 per


cent of the sun’s damaging UVB rays. The higher the SPF, the better.


In addition to keeping yourself cool, take these steps to keep your home cool: • Close your windows, blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day. • Use air conditioning or fans to cool and circulate the air where possible. • On hot days, eat meals that don’t require the use of the oven.


If you don’t have air conditioning and your home gets too hot, go to an air-conditioned public place to cool down. Your local public library or shopping centre are great options. To stay healthy and safe, be sure to watch for symptoms of heat illness, which include dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, mus- cle cramps, rapid breathing or heartbeat and decreased urination. Heat illness can be very


serious, and in some cases, requires medical attention. It is important to watch for signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If you or someone you know experi- ences signs of heat illness, call Health Links- Info Santé at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or toll free 1-888-315-9257 elsewhere in Mani- toba. In an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.


For more information on heat and your health, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/public health/environmentalhealth/heat.html, or call the Seniors Information Line at 204- 945-6565 in Winnipeg. Toll-free 1-800- 665-6565. Or email seniors@gov.mb.ca. Have a great summer!


Hon. Kelvin Goertzen is the MLA for Stein-


bach and the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living.


www.lifestyles55.net 5


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