Exercise for the elderly

BY JONATHAN RILEY

Digby Courier

NovaNewsNow.com

“I really need exercise,� says Bertha Ruggles, 76, of Tiverton. “To keep me slim and trim and get my heart pumping – keep me feeling more fit and happier.�

Ruggles has signed up for a weekly class at the Tiverton Community Hall thanks to a program sponsored by the Digby Area Recreation Commission.

D.A.R.C. is also putting on weekly classes in Bear River, Digby, Sandy Cove and Freeport this winter.

Nancy Buckman, 71, is excited about the classes.

“I already walk a lot. There is a nice route we walk to the shore at least three times a week.

“But the classes are really important for flexibility, mobility and bone mass and balance.�

“The more you do,� says Doreen Freeman, 75, “the more you can do.�

Health Canada agrees. They produced a guide for healthy active living for older adults.

“Up to half of the functional decline that occurs in humans between the age of 30 and 70 is attributable to a sedentary lifestyle, and not aging itself,� says Dr. Ira Jacobs, President of the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology.

The guide recommends that older Canadians build 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity into their lives most days of the week to maintain good health and independence.

Freeman says the groups are a lot of fun too.

“In a group you’re more enthusiastic and more motivated.�

Nadine Tidd, a fitness leader, says jst coming out for the classes helps people.

“The social aspect, meeting new people and learning new things – it helps with all your daily activities,� says Tidd.

“And you’ll have fun. A lot of people come and they are apprehensive. They see me up here and I’m making mistakes, and we all laugh about it.

“It’s not about doing everyting just so. If you make a mistake, it’s not failure, it’s just fun and learning.�

The classes involve stretching, balance and mobility exercises with some gentle aerobic work mixed in.

D.A.R.C. funds the program through a grant from the provincial Community Health Board Wellness Fund. The three group leaders (Tidd, Sara Outhouse and Eleanor VanTassel) are certified by the Nova Scotia Fitness Association.

Bob Powell of D.A.R.C, Kim Marshall of the V.O.N. and Dawn Thomas of the Senior Safety Committee have collaborated to organize the classes.

jriley@digbycourier.ca



Exercise Program for ages 50+ starting the week of January 15th

− Freeport Community Hall, Mondays, 10 - 11 a.m. (Sara)

− Digby Neck Consolidated School, Mondays, 6-7 p.m. (Nadine)

− Tiverton Community Hall, Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. (Nadine)

− Digby Fire Hall, Wednesdays 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. (Eleanor)

− Bear River Oakdene Centre, Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. (Eleanor)

To register call Kim Marshall of the V.O.N. at 837-5117 or Cindy O’Neil of D.A.R.C. at 245-1949.