‘You must take care of your personal well being’: Yukon seniors inspired to maintain energetic at Whitehorse occasion
Watercolour portray, pilates and pickleball have been just some of the actions provided to seniors in Whitehorse on Saturday to mark the United Nations’ Worldwide Day of Older Individuals.
Resilience in a altering world was this yr’s theme for the day and in addition the main focus of drop-in classes organized by the Metropolis of Whitehorse and Yukon’s ElderActive Recreation Affiliation, stated ElderActive’s program co-ordinator David Jennings.
“Popping out of a pandemic, individuals have misplaced that exercise — they have not misplaced the drive, it is simply getting the exercise going once more,” stated Jennings.
Seniors had the prospect to attend classes on vitamin and e-bikes or play shuffleboard and take drumming classes.
“It provides the chance for seniors who’ve by no means tried [an activity] to provide it a attempt to see in the event that they prefer it,” stated Jennings.
Jennings stated staying energetic, each bodily and socially, is extraordinarily vital as individuals age. That is why the day’s aim was to foster group and additionally present Whitehorse residents varied sources to maintain shifting and keep related.
Yukon’s getting old inhabitants
Over the previous decade, the Yukon has skilled an enormous progress within the sector of the inhabitants that is 60 and older.
A Yukon Bureau of Statistics report evaluating March 2012 to the similar month in 2022 confirmed a rise of 91.4 per cent (973 individuals) within the 75-and-older age group. The 60- to 74-year-old group elevated by 64.9 per (2,913 individuals).
That compares to a 17.3 per cent enhance within the variety of kids as much as the age of 14 and a 3 per cent enhance within the 15- to 29-year-old age group.
“We’d like extra energetic seniors locally,” stated Sandra Lansfield, who attended Saturday’s occasion.
“I feel due to the best way our well being care is correct now, the place it is arduous for individuals to search out medical doctors, it’s important to take care of your personal well being and be proactive,” she stated.
Though Lansfield stated she has not personally struggled to discover a household physician within the Yukon, she is aware of individuals who have both misplaced their physician or have been ready for years.
She stated one option to maintain wholesome is to maintain energetic.
“Even when it hurts a little bit bit, maintain shifting,” she stated.
To mark the day, Tai Chi Yukon additionally provided a free tai chi session for seniors at Takhini Elementary College.
