Common messages for seniors do not seem to change with time, condition, disease nor diagnosis. The consistently practical activities that enable individuals to build and maintain good health seem to be:
1. Challenge Your Brain – start with mini-challenges for your brain:
• Brush your teeth with the hand you don’t usually use.
• Take a different route to work or the store.
• Eat a bite or two of dinner with your eyes closed.
• Listen to a new kind of music.
• Do 60 seconds of jumping jacks (or any physical activity).
• Sit in a different spot in your house or at a favorite restaurant.
“These require the brain to do some work, because it’s encountering something it hasn’t experienced before.” (Dr. K. Papp).
You can also look for activities that incorporate brain stimulation, physical activity, and social engagement, such as:
• learning to play a sport or game (tennis, ping pong, golf)
• taking a class on planting flowers or vegetables
If physical activity isn’t possible, consider taking a class in
• painting (start with watercolors, then move to oils)
• piano, flute, or guitar
• writing short stories (or your memoir)
• computers
• flower arrangement
• knitting or crocheting (handy for holiday gifts!)
• a new language.
Or you can simply take part in any new activity that you find interesting, such as:
• volunteering at a local charity
• joining a book club
• trying out a new restaurant or new type of food
• becoming a museum docent or volunteer guide/helper
• helping out at a local school or day care
• joining a collector’s club (dolls, stamps, memorabilia).
“The best activities will be the ones that you find enjoyable.” (Dr. K. Papp). And just like it’s important to stick to a medication or exercise regimen, you’ll have to stick to a pattern of always learning. (Source: Challenge your mind and body to sharpen your thinking skills by Heidi Godman, Harvard Health Letter, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/challenge-your-mind-and-body-to-sharpen-your-thinking-skills-201510298507]
2. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle – Realistic Exercise such as walking is so important for body and mind health. We do need to get out and interact with the environment. The connection between heart health and brain health is very clear. As one’s heart and body continue to be challenged and be active, one’s mind is able to more readily ‘cut in’ and support our overall health.
3. Protect Your Head – Perhaps a new idea to some. It tends to enable us to keep our decision-making and ‘grey matter’ in better shape. Taking chances in collisions, bumping our heads, riding cycles, bikes etc without helmets are not good decisions. Protection, as we get older, becomes a fundamental activity - not a random choice.
4. Be Socially Active - being socially active is one of the major concerns as one ages. As we remain connected to others, our health is impacted on a daily basis. We are more engaged, more interactive, more curious and more involved in our families, communities, and the broader country and world that we live in.
As one can see, these are the fundamental building blocks for good health!
Seniors Outreach provides opportunities to learn, to interact, to socialize, to be supported, and to volunteer in order to keep one’s mental and physical abilities engaged.
For Seniors Outreach Activities: Call the Seniors Outreach Main Office at 403-443-2555 or toll free from Carbon/area at 1-888-443-2555 to sign up/purchase tickets or for more information:
Monthly Information Meetings: Thursday, April 18/2019 - “Maximum Hearing” by Maxine Williams-Herbert at the CommUnity Drop-In Centre, Three Hills at 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, April 18/2019 -“What is a Greensleeve” by PCN C. Reichel at the Silver Willows Seniors Centre, Torrington at 2:00 p.m.
Bus Trips: Red Deer Trip – Wednesday, May 15/19 Greenhouse Bus Tour – Thursday, May 9/19 Call Elnora FCSS for the trip by May 2/19 at 403-773-3920. Cost $60 includes Bus, Driver, Lunch and Supper.
Call Seniors Outreach for earlier pick-up to join the bus trip in Elnora at 403-443-2555.
Photography: Call in or stop in at the Seniors Outreach Office to pick up forms for Photography submissions. We are accepting 2-3 pictures from each senior (65+) photographer by May 16, 2019. Judging will occur in early June.
REMINDER: For basic 2018 Income Tax preparation and submission for Seniors, contact Kneehill Regional Family and Community Support Services (KRFCSS) at 403-443-3800.
Seniors Outreach is thankful to Alberta Culture and Tourism for their support through the Community Initiatives Program Operating Grant for 2017 and 2018!
