Healthy Aging
If there’s snow on the ground, you can probably find Richard Sawchuck putting it to good use.
The 76-year-old has spent the winter covering his Fraser’s Grove neighbourhood with snowmen. He carries around a bag filled with supplies: buttons to make eyes, twigs for arms, and empty pill bottles to use for noses.
Sawchuck says it gets him out of the house and keeps him in good health.
“We have limited time here, and I think that we should enjoy ourselves as much as we can,” he says. “Good health gives me an opportunity to do things to enjoy life rather than be cooped up in the house.”
Sawchuck’s winter pastime also helps him combat a serious problem facing Canada's aging population.
The 76-year-old has spent the winter covering his Fraser’s Grove neighbourhood with snowmen. He carries around a bag filled with supplies: buttons to make eyes, twigs for arms, and empty pill bottles to use for noses.
Sawchuck says it gets him out of the house and keeps him in good health.
“We have limited time here, and I think that we should enjoy ourselves as much as we can,” he says. “Good health gives me an opportunity to do things to enjoy life rather than be cooped up in the house.”
Sawchuck’s winter pastime also helps him combat a serious problem facing Canada's aging population.
Seniors at Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence participated in a seniors’ Olympics last week to get active. Sports included shuffleboard, Wii golf and bocce.
About 30 per cent of seniors are at risk of becoming socially isolated, which can result in health issues like substance abuse and mental illness, data from Statistics Canada show.
And for LGBT seniors, this number jumps to 53 per cent.
But places like the Rainbow Resource Centre in Winnipeg are helping create a community for all seniors through its drop-in programs. For 68-year-old Ellie Caslake, it’s the place that gave her the courage to come out as transgender to her family last year.
“For most of us, we’re still not welcome out in public spaces,” she says. “Here, I was immediately accepted for who I am. Questions weren’t even asked.”
Caslake says she hopes the centre continues to develop its 55+ programming so it can keep providing a safe space for LGBT seniors.
And for LGBT seniors, this number jumps to 53 per cent.
But places like the Rainbow Resource Centre in Winnipeg are helping create a community for all seniors through its drop-in programs. For 68-year-old Ellie Caslake, it’s the place that gave her the courage to come out as transgender to her family last year.
“For most of us, we’re still not welcome out in public spaces,” she says. “Here, I was immediately accepted for who I am. Questions weren’t even asked.”
Caslake says she hopes the centre continues to develop its 55+ programming so it can keep providing a safe space for LGBT seniors.
Videos
Creating communities for seniors
Seniors become more likely to experience social isolation as they age. How are different groups working to combat this?
Seniors staying active
How are seniors in Winnipeg using physical activity as a way to get out of the house and meet new people?