Seniors Embrace Fitness for Enhanced Quality of Life and Independence
Mississauga, ON – A growing emphasis on physical activity is transforming the lives of seniors across Canada, with programs designed to boost strength, mobility, and balance, ultimately protecting against falls and preserving independence.From specialized classes to everyday activities, seniors are discovering the profound impact of movement on thier overall well-being.
Fitness instructor Tyler Mah leads a “sit-fit” class where five residents actively participate. Mah demonstrates each exercise, repeating movements and offering personalized guidance. He emphasizes that fitness is integral to a higher quality of life, particularly for older adults. His classes specifically target strength, mobility, and balance, crucial for mitigating the risk of falls, which can lead to a loss of independence and negatively impact both physical and emotional health.
Earlier the same day, Mah conducted an urban pole walking class with only two attendees, a lower turnout attributed to a concurrent Wal-Mart field trip.Vicky Matich, a regular participant, finds the class beneficial. She enjoys walking in the park and notes that using a standing walker has made free movement more challenging. The pole walking class allows her to engage her arms, hands, and fingers, which remain stationary when using her mobility device. Matich finds the class a welcome change from sedentary activities like eating, returning upstairs, or socializing, stating, “ItS satisfying” to have a purposeful activity.
The commitment to fostering fitness extends to other seniors’ residences, such as Ivan Franko Homes in Mississauga, Ontario, which primarily serves Canadians of Ukrainian descent. CEO Olya Vovnysh highlights that physical activity encompasses more then traditional exercises like weightlifting or treadmill use. she points to activities like rolling and forming perogies by hand, traditional Ukrainian dancing, playing the piano, and utilizing virtual reality as examples of movement-encouraging pursuits.Vovnysh believes these activities “boost your positive energy” and help residents shift their focus from internal worries to the present moment, observing a tangible “change” in participants.
Janina Jaksic, a 92-year-old resident at Ivan Franko Homes, speaks enthusiastically about exercise, participating in both group and one-on-one sessions, including those with a physiotherapist and restorative aide to address her visual impairment. Jaksic, whose interview was translated from Ukrainian, finds these activities keep her engaged during long days and elevate her spirits. when asked for advice on staying young, she shared, “Move every day. Whether it’s a walk, a dance or a gentle stretch, staying physically active supports both body and spirit.”
