60 Plus and Going Strong

       On June 8, I'll be speaking in Ottawa at 60 plus and going strong: Wellness 101, an event organized by Bayshore Home Health in honour of the graduates of their health promotion program. Jennifer May, Bayshore's Community Relations Manager, estimates there may be 150 people in attendance. The event runs from 9 am - 1 pm and the speakers include Kevin Willis of the Canadian Stroke Network.

      The average age of the Wellness 101 participants is 75 and mainly female, but they have had people as young as 58 and as senior as 92. Jennifer explains the program's objectives. "Our participants are still reasonably healthy and they have a lot of potential to positively impact their aging experience. Most are converted intellectually and know that wellness is important and we try to offer them practical ways to achieve it. Our goal is to empower them to take control of their own health on a daily basis. We say, 'Here are the three, four or five things you can do today to promote your own wellness.' But our aim is not to overhaul people or their routine. We're looking for sustainable activities with long term results - and to get there it often takes just little steps.

        "The event on June 8 is one of our methods to bring our graduates back for another dose of health promotion. Let's refresh, refocus and stay committed to this. They regenerate the flame, see their peers, and take inspiration from others with a similar objective." Bayshore Home Health is a Canadian-owned company providing health care services to about 70,000 clients a year, primarily in their homes, from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland.