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November 2022 Calendar.pdf
Tell us what you need to know about physical activity and ageing in place!
Event Title: Community Conversations: Getting and Staying Active
Date and Time: Wednesday, October 19th from 12-1:30pm (Eastern)
Location: Online or via phone (Zoom meeting)
Who should attend this event?: This event is for seniors by seniors and not intended for those who provide paid services.
Language: English
Full Description:
How does physical activity support you to age at home, wherever home is for you? What do you need to better maintain, adapt or enhance how you are physically active throughout the day?
Join us on Wednesday, October 19th from 12-1:30pm (ET) at the second event in a series of Community Conversations. This session will focus on maintaining and enhancing well-being and independence through physical daily activities. Together, we’ll discuss getting and staying physically active and other considerations to ensure you are able to realize the health benefits of active living.
These Community Conversations are funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program and are co-created with seniors, for seniors. They are meant to create a virtual gathering space connecting seniors to share and address the issues that matter most to them when it comes to aging in place healthily and safely. You will have the opportunity to connect with other seniors across Canada, talk to an expert, learn about resources available to you and share your own experiences if you wish to.
The purpose of these conversations is to gather insights directly from seniors to inform future resources and services for seniors. The event organizers (which includes seniors and representatives from organization serving seniors) will use the discussion points generated by the series to create recommendations for the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program and other groups/organizations serving seniors.
Stay up to date with the series here: https://parachute.ca/en/program/for-seniors-by-seniors-community-conversations/
Register for the October 19th event here: https://mailchi.mp/0d2697708c67/community-conversations-for-seniors-by-seniors-9079453?e=2845a3936e
Register now! Space is limited to one hundred attendees.
Optional additions:
The first event in the series focused on maintaining and building independence at home, wherever that is for you. Together, we discussed home modifications and other considerations to meet your current and future needs with your living arrangements. Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/YeFZPib61Dw
Want to brush up on your technology skills before the Community Conversations?
Cyber-Seniors offers several no-cost programs and services to provide technology support and training for seniors, including one-to-one technology support calls and daily webinars on various technology topics. You can contact Cyber-Seniors at their toll-free number: 1-844-217-3057. Please keep in mind, you may have to wait to speak to someone. You also have the option to leave a voicemail or reach out to them via email at info@cyberseniors.org.
Tuesday November 1st at 10:00am - Disability Tax CreditsBenefits and tax credits available to seniors 65 years and up: See the benefits you may be eligible for and learn how to apply for them through this informative overview, presented by Lisa Herie, CVITP and Benefits Outreach Officer, Canada Revenue Agency. The Disability Tax Credit, the Home Accessibility Tax Credit and other benefits will be discussed as well as scam awareness.
Registration is on a first come first serve basis. To sign up, email: resources@swsrc.ca or call 204 478-6169. Please indicate your session choice and include your name, phone number and email address.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE!
The Manitoba government is developing a Manitoba Seniors Strategy and is looking for input from the general public, seniors, family members and caregivers, and people working with, or providing services to seniors.
This is the second in a series of consultations through EngageMB. This survey focuses on the future: ideal states and priorities.
Visit EngageMB today, provide your input in the phase 2 survey, and help Manitoba become the ideal place to age in Canada.
Free Blood Glucose Test Launched in WRCC
Reported by WCSA 2022-09-20
On September 20, the walk-in free Blood Glucose Test service was officially launched by the Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association (WCSA). “This is one of the three elements of the Diabetes Awareness and Prevention Program”, Ms. Yan Jiang, the President of WCSA said, “and the other two are healthy eating and fitness exercise. This program will positively improve the quality of life and prolong the life expectancy for the residents in our community”.
Currently, there are more than 11.7 million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes, and the number is still growing. Diabetes has been proven to significantly shorten lifespan through its well-known complications such as sight loss, amputations, kidney failure, stroke, and heart failure.
Prediabetes is a condition with higher blood sugar than normal, but lower than diabetes. Without proper management, Prediabetes can develop into diabetes. A worse case is someone has diabetes, but higher blood glucose is undiagnosed and causes discomfort until serious complications arise.
To help potential patients with early detection of high glucose levels, to raise the awareness on diabetes risks, and to delay or diminish the occurrence of its severe complications, WCSA and PAL55+ are working together to provide blood glucose test service in the Whyte Ridge Community Centre to the community members and all the residents.
This walk-in free service is funded by the Government of Manitoba and the New Horizons for Seniors Program by the Federal Government. It runs from September 20, 2022 to March 30, 2023 inclusively. Tests are performed by trained and qualified volunteers every Tuesday (10:00 - 12:00) and Thursday (13:00 - 15:00).
If you have any questions, please email wcsa.wpg@hotmail.com.
October 1st – International Day of Older Persons
2022 Theme: The Resilience and Contributions of Older Women
October 1st of each year is National Seniors Day, which coincides with the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP 2022) and is an occasion for Canadians to celebrate the profound contributions of seniors in our homes, communities and workplaces.
Please visit the United Nations International Day of Older Persons website for more information and take some time to visit one of their highlighted YouTube videos:
Change the Way You Think About Age! Centenarians Answer the Right Questions...
Physical activity during prostate cancer – treatment and beyond
September is the month to raise awareness in support of men living with prostate cancer in Canada. That support includes programs, services, and information that can help manage life with cancer and beyond into survivorship. This article highlights the importance of staying or getting active after a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men. About 1 in 8 men will get this disease.1
The research cannot tell us yet whether physical activity reduces the risk of getting prostate cancer.2 But we do know that physical activity can reduce the effects of cancer and its treatments.
Physical activity extends life and improves outcomes
There is research showing that physical activity reduces death after a prostate cancer diagnosis by 38%.3
There is also strong evidence that regular physical activity during and after cancer treatment improves health outcomes and quality of life.4 For instance, it reduces problems that can arise during treatment and last a long time, like:
· fatigue
· anxiety
· depressive symptoms
Scientists are still studying if physical activity can also help with nausea, pain, sexual function, and nerve damage from cancer treatment. While individuals receiving a life-altering cancer diagnosis have many other concerns, taking the time for physical activity can help and may have the ability to reduce the effects of cancer and its treatments.
Is it safe to exercise?
Yes. Most men can start a low-intensity aerobic and resistance training program (with gradual progression) without any additional medical clearance. If you have other health conditions, such as heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, extreme fatigue, or poor bone health (particularly if there is bone metastases) then talk to your oncologist for medical clearance.4 The doctor may refer you to an exercise professional who has had training in various types of cancers and their treatments. The exercise professional can modify an exercise routine to ensure it is safe for you.
A safe exercise routine can be tailored to fit each person at each stage -- during treatment, after surgery, and into survivorship. Ask if your hospital or local wellness centre has a cancer rehabilitation centre.
What kind of exercise should I do?
To maximize your health outcomes, research suggests your program should include:
· moderate-intensity aerobic training at least 3 times a week, for at least 30 minutes and
· resistance training 2-3 times a week, with at least 2 sets of 8 to 15 repetitions.4
It is important to include both types of exercise. Aerobic training strengthens the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. People can have a decline in their aerobic fitness during cancer treatment. Some treatments can actually increase the risk of heart disease. But being physically active can help maintain and even increase aerobic fitness.4 Resistance training strengthens the muscles. Losing muscle mass and muscle strength is common with cancer treatment. It is a special concern for men who get hormone therapy for prostate cancer. It can be a challenge to maintain muscle mass during this time. Resistance training can help.5
Dealing with fatigue
Anyone who goes through cancer treatment gets tired. You may be less able to be physically active as a result.
But some people find that physical activity helps with the fatigue. Many sense a pattern of when they have more energy during the week and use that time to move around more or exercise. Some even feel like physical activity helps them tolerate the treatments better.
But if you are just feeling too tired, that’s okay. Try to think about ‘sitting less and moving more’, even if it’s just standing up or light activities around the house. In other words, try to break up the amount of sitting or lying down time.
Coping with other barriers to being active with prostate cancer
Men dealing with prostate cancer treatment have other barriers to staying or becoming active6. For instance:
· Bladder control (urinary incontinence), or worrying about it, may get in the way of being active.
· Men who live in rural areas may not have access to health professionals or programs that can give them the support they need to be active.
· Men with lower physical function or lower mental quality of life have lower levels of physical activity and its harder for them to adopt a more active lifestyle.
Below are resources that can help you overcome barriers. Whether it’s a convenient at-home video program, finding a local qualified exercise specialist or finding a group physical activity opportunity, every step you take, takes you closer to a better quality of life.
Resources:
Being Active When You Have Cancer
https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EIM_Rx-for-Health_Cancer.pdf
Moving Through Cancer program for Prostate Cancer
https://www.movingthroughcancer.com/prostate-cancer
Home Exercise Program Videos from Prostate Cancer Supportive Care
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhwf96qJqHYKFIYIogqNW1dyIRGLfrsiG
Cancer Exercise Program Directory for Canada
https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/eim-in-action/moving-through-cancer/exercise-program-registry/?_cancer_registry_country=canada
Search for Rehabilitation and Exercise services with the Canadian Cancer Society’s Community Services Locator
https://cancer.ca/en/living-with-cancer/how-we-can-help/community-services-locator
Learn about tips to make physical activity a fun and safe part of your life with this Active Aging Canada brochure on ‘Getting Active After Cancer Treatment’:
https://www.activeagingcanada.ca/assets/pdf/cancer/consumer_brochure.pdf
Learn about the different types of physical activity and how to get started:
https://www.activeagingcanada.ca/assets/pdf/participants/get-active/active-agers-in-canada/Physical-Activity-for-Older-Adults-2021.pdf
References:
1. Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2022. Canadian Cancer Society; 2022: https://cancer.ca/en/research/cancer-statistics.
2. Leitão et al. The Impact of Lifestyle on Prostate Cancer: A Road to the Discovery of New Biomarkers. J Clin Med. May; 11(10): 2925. 2022.
3. McTiernan et al. Physical Activity in Cancer Prevention and Survival: A Systematic Review, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: Volume 51, Issue 6, p1252-1261, 2019.
4. Campbell, Kristin L. et al. Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: Volume 51 - Issue 11 - p 2375-2390. 2019
5. Gardner et al. Effects of exercise on treatment-related adverse effects for patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy: a systematic review. J Clin Oncol. 1;32(4):335-46. 2014.
6. Stone et al. Determinants of changes in physical activity from pre-diagnosis to post-diagnosis in a cohort of prostate cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer. Aug;27(8):2819-2828. 2019.
Liza Stathokostas, PhD
Research Director
Active Aging Canada
Questions for Candidates!
Elections are coming up! The Manitoba Seniors Coalition created a list of questions you are encouraged to ask candidates.
Please feel free to share this information with your members, board members, any any networks you might have.
Older people should be on the agenda for the municipal election on October 26! Click below for questions to ask pertaining to ageism, age friendly communities & housing, transportation, mental health & wellness....
MB Seniors Coalition - Questions for Candidates
Archwood 55 Plus Inc is a non-profit organization serving seniors 55 plus located at 565 Guilbault Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R2J 0R2
