S P R I N G 2 0 1 5

2015 Globe Walk by the

numbers:

60 teams

1419 registered, 1054 women,

365 men 50s to the 90s participant age

ranges 1728 participants reporting in

March 72,510 miles walked in

March

194,066 total miles walked

to end of March

220,000 miles distance To

the Moon!

Coming of Age asked Globe

Walk Co-Chair Candace

Skrapek to comment on the Globe Walk’s huge success: “It’s exciting to see the growth in participation due

mostly to word of mouth publicity and real interest in being active. Those who participated last year have

seen the positive results. Being part of an organized Globe Walk team with people of different ages and

abilities is a healthy, friendly thing to do. Participants are very motivated and committed to the program,

some are quite competitive, and all agree that the Globe Walk is a great way to improve health and well-

being and even reduce isolation by being active especially in our winters.”

In 2015 an expanded Globe Walk encouraged older adults within the Saskatoon Health Region boundaries to

participate; Martensville opened its track to local walkers. The new Investor’s Group track at the Saskatoon

Field House drew large numbers of walkers several times a week. Planned social events and presentations

helped to maintain walkers’ interest. Though not over yet, there’s every indication that Globe Walk is once

again a huge success! Thanks to all for participating and for doing yourself a world of good!

2020 College Drive

Saskatoon, SK S7N 2W4

(306) 652-2255 Tel

(306) 652-7525 Fax

admin@scoa.ca

www.scoa.ca

GLOBE WALK 2015 TO THE MOON—ON TARGET

Preston Park 1 Globe Walkers! L-R Mona Bolt, Doris Heidecker, Mary Polischuk, Marion

Gradin, Marie Slinkard, and Justine Lowe

IN THIS ISSUE: Seniors Globe Walk, Page 2: Co-

President’s Report, Page 3: CAA Driving Tips for

Seniors, Zoomer Idol Auditions, Donations, Page

4 & 5: Globe Walk, Volunteers, Page 6 & 7:

Urban Poling, Age-Friendly Initiative, Page 8:

Spring Programs

On behalf of the Saskatoon Council on Aging Board

of Directors we are excited to update you in what’s

been happening at SCOA.

There continues to be significant work on making

Saskatoon and area an age Friendly community. This

work is supported by a number of very committed

and passionate volunteers and staff members who

take a leadership role in moving this important initia-

tive forward as well as the financial support from nu-

merous sponsors and grants.

The following new grants have been received:

New Horizons for Seniors - $25,000.00 for an inter-

generational project involving aboriginal older

adults and youth. Aboriginal students will connect

with older aboriginal adults in order to identify the

older adults’ concerns about aging and to gain in-

sights into the issues facing aboriginal seniors.

Dakota Dunes Community Development Fund -

$8,750.00 for a project to build capacity and skills

of the employees and management working in the

retirement service sector by delivering on-site age-

friendly training modules and workshops on

“Managing Aggression and Bullying by Older

Adults”

The Community Grant program through the City of

Saskatoon - $6000.00 to create a Seniors

Neighbourhood Hub Club in the Eastview area.

SCOA will be working with the Eastview

Community Association to deliver activities and

presentations for older adults.

The Saskatoon Health Region Community Wellness

grant - $5000.00 to develop publications and edu-

cational materials that support the delivery of ser-

vices sensitive to the needs of Gay, Lesbian, Bi-

sexual, Transgender, and Intersex (GLBTI) people

and their families.

There are a few upcoming events to note:

SCOA is offering a workshop on ways to build re-

spectful communities through eliminating bullying

and aggression by increasing awareness and

changing behaviours on June 10, 2015 at

McClure United Church.

SCOA AGM will take place on May 28, 2015 at

1:00 p.m. in meeting Room #3 at the Saskatoon

Field House. The program will highlight how

SCOA’s Age-Friendly Initiative has helped other

organizations to make changes and view their ser-

vices through an Age-Friendly lens. The present-

ers will be the Saskatoon Open Door Society, Fire

and Protective Services, Access Transit and the

Avenue Community Center.. Please plan to join us

if you can!

Page 2 Positive Aging for all

Coming of Age Published three times per year by the Saskatoon Council on

Aging, Inc., 2020 College Drive, Saskatoon, SK

S7N 2W4 (306-652-2255).

Opinions are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views

of the Council. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, the

Saskatoon Council on Aging, Inc. assumes no liability for any errors,

omissions or inaccuracies. No part of this publication may be copied or

stored for electronic retrieval without prior consent of SCOA. © 2009/2015.

The SCOA is a non-profit organization dedicated to

promoting the dignity, health and independence of older

adults through programs, services, education and

advocacy.

Visit us online at www.scoa.ca

Communications Committee: Mercedes Montgomery, Chair

George James

Elliot PausJenssen

Adrienne Sawchuk

Candace Skrapek

Executive Director: June Gawdun Community Engagement Coordinator : Rachelle Eichholz

CO-PRESIDENTS’ MESSAGE

Janet Barnes Jane McPhee

Positive Aging for all Page 3

SeniorsDriving.caa.ca

Many mature drivers on the road have 50+ years of

driving experience; but as we age, the age-related

changes in our sight, hearing, muscle strength, coor-

dination, reflexes and reaction time may also be af-

fected by health conditions and by the medications

that are used to treat these conditions.

CAA can help mature drivers maintain their inde-

pendence while also being safe on the road. Here are

a few safe driving tips from CAA Saskatchewan:

Adjust the seat and steering wheel to have the

best possible body position.

Adjust the mirrors for the optimal view on both

sides and in the rear of the car.

Remember to always shoulder check, turn on

(and then turn off) appropriate signal lights

when switching lanes.

Respect speed limits, increase the distance of

the car in front of you, and be alert to the pres-

ence of other vehicles around you.

Don’t focus on the middle of the area illumi-

nated by oncoming headlights.

Wear sunglasses

on bright days and

take them off if

you plan to drive at sunset or in the eve-

ning.

Don’t forget your prescription glasses

when driving. Have your sight and hearing

examined regularly.

Consider driving when you feel better

equipped to handle roads and traffic, i.e.

only during daylight hours, avoid high

peak driving periods, stay on roads you are

familiar with.

Check weather and road conditions.

CAA’s seniors driving website offers a simple driv-

ing assessment as well as an in-depth driving assess-

ment. By assessing your skills you can continue to

be a safe and responsible driver.

For a complete list of tips visit SeniorsDriving.caa.ca

– How to Maintain Driving Skills.

Find the most economical gas prices in your city or

service stations locations, visit CAA Gas Price

Monitor.

MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE: DRIVING TIPS FOR SENIORS

Article provided by CAA Saskatchewan

AGE-FRIENDLY SASKATOON INITIATIVE IS CHANGING OUR

COMMUNITY FOR THE BETTER By Cheryl Loadman

Age-friendly Saskatoon Initiative, a multiyear, multiphase project aimed at establishing Saskatoon as an

“age-friendly” community where older adults can lead healthy independent lives and are active and engaged

members of the community is well along in its phase 3 activities.

So far, over 100 meetings have been held with people and organizations, including large players such as the

Saskatoon Health Region and the City of Saskatoon as well as smaller organizations like the Open Door Soci-

ety and the Sutherland Business Improvement District. In every case, our message of working towards better

services and programs for older adults is receiving a positive reception, and is even creating immediate and

meaningful change. For example, our new or evolving partnerships with the Avenue Community Centre,

Open Door Society, City of Saskatoon Leisure Services and University of Saskatchewan Colleges of Medi-

cine/ Education/ Public Health mean new programs and services that reflect the needs of older adults in those

respective communities.

In specific areas, like housing, SCOA is working with the Saskatoon Housing Initiative partnership (SHIP) to

examine and identify options for an age-friendly housing approach by community leaders. In health care,

where the Age-friendly Saskatoon Initiative identified a disconnect between current system and the needs

of an aging population, SCOA is in conversations with many Health Region leaders looking at innovative

ideas. Most recently SCOA joined the ED-Waits and Patient Flow advisory Provincial Stakeholder Advisory

Group.

“I have removed the clothing

from the treadmill and now use it

daily!”

“The winter has been long and

cold. Having access to the Field

House track twice a week has got

a group of friends out walking.”

“I was away for half the month in rainy Vancouver

but still have managed to walk 11 miles. I walk inside

Luther Heights using halls and the stairs where it is

safe. Not much ice in here.”

“Feel a little guilty sending in our miles as it is defi-

nitely easy to walk and stay active in the Arizona

climate. It is a real privilege to be so active through

the long winter months....certainly one recipe for

keeping fit and well.”

“My goal is 30 minutes per day but Sundays I don't

and other days have too many activities. Still to be

accountable to the Moon Walk keeps me striding

more than if left on my own. Thanks for the reason to

walk.”

“We have a lady that will be 101 years in August that

has joined our walk to the moon. We are proud of her

effort.”

“We have one 95 year old (who will be 96 before

March is over) who walked 163 miles in March.”

“Our best walker is 90 years old and has done 129.5

and 152 miles in the last two months....”

Page 4 Positive Aging for all

“Looking forward to ...the return of bike

season!...the community walk at the

Mendel...Celebration luncheon May 8...next

year’s programs with all the new twists”

“One of our Ladies got a compliment. "You have

lost weight" and she even said she can wear

clothes that she was unable to wear for a long

time. She is sure it is from the walking. “

“We just had a Globe walk gathering, we have

more residents starting today... around 22 resi-

dents will be our team for the month of February

– not too bad :) Thank you for the great project.”

“My group of walkers have commented on how

much better they feel, and how glad they were to

start this walking every day. They have thanked

me on several occasions for getting them to walk.

They are moving better, sleeping better and over

all feeling better. So nice to hear!”

“Our oldest member, who is over 90, walked the

furthest, 20.6 miles, and using a walker to boot!”

“People on my team are excited to get the

monthly update and to hear how other teams find

creative ways to stay active in Saskatchewan

winter!”

Globe Walk Wind-up Luncheon

When: Friday, May 8th, 2015 - 11:30 a.m.

Where: Western Development Museum

Tickets: $15.00 each, cash bar at event, Performance by The Paddlewheelers

(2014 Judge’s Choice Zoomer Idol)

For more information phone 306.652.2255

Globe Walk Team Captains walk the track!

GLOBE WALK 2015 TO THE MOON - OLDER ADULTS SPEAK UP!

Positive Aging for all Page 5

Meet Margaret Dyck! I have been a volunteer with

the Saskatoon Council on Aging for just over a year.

I first decided that this was the place I wanted to

volunteer after I had read about the opportunity in

the Bridges Newspaper.. During my volunteer time

at the Saskatoon Council on Aging, I have com-

pleted a variety of jobs. I have worked reception at

the front desk, phoned SCOA members to update the

membership list, folded brochures and organized the

resource center. I love the flexibility that this volun-

teer opportunity offers and I believe that SCOA is a

great organization that does wonderful work! In my

spare time, I enjoy reading, working on crossword

puzzles and spending time outside in the yard when

the weather permits!

Meet Forooghieh Yazdani! First, I should say

little bit about myself, and the how, why and

when my family and I came to Canada.

As refugees, we moved in June 1989, a few years

after Iran's Revolution, to have a better life. Now

I start to talk about "Senior Story Telling " which

is such a wonderful idea, with an awesome at-

mosphere and participants positive attitude. Usu-

ally, we listen to retired Canadians with lots of

experience from first generation of those who

moved to this country. And also stories of new-

comers with many problems from their govern-

ments. Anyway is an extraordinary opportunity

to listen, talk, learn and enjoy, and many other

things. Thanks for arranging and organizing this

gathering. I will ask all to join us to have a good

time together, love you all, and see you soon .

Zoomer Idol Auditions!

The Saskatoon Council on Aging is holding our

2nd Annual Saskatoon Zoomer Idol event Octo-

ber 22, 2015 at TCU Place. Who will be Saska-

toon’s 2015 Zoomer Idol?

Auditions will be held at St. Martin’s United

Church located at 2617 Clarence Avenue S.

Auditions will be Monday August 10, Tuesday

August 11 and Wednesday August 12 from

6:30—9:00 p.m. Then on Tuesday August 18

and Wednesday August 19 from 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Call the SCOA office at 306-652-2255 for de-

tails.

SASKATOON COUNCIL ON AGING VOLUNTEERS ARE AWESOME!

SCOA/SRNA Workshop

In follow-up to the 2014 resolution , the Saskatche-

wan Registered Nurses’ Association (SRNA) part-

nered with the Canadian Nurses Association (CAN)

and Saskatoon Council on Aging (SCOA) in Saska-

toon April 15, 2015 in a unique collaboration that

saw older adults and health care providers work to-

gether to explore ways to promote better health for

older adults in Saskatchewan. About 100 participants

attended to hear about findings from the SCOA Age-

Friendly Saskatoon Initiative, the work being done to

create a National Seniors Strategy and concepts of

public policy development, then identified strategies

and approaches to enhance the quality of life for Sas-

katchewan’s older adults.

Page 6 Positive Aging for all

URBAN POLING By Kimberly Willison, Senior Recreation Therapist, Community Older Adult, SHR

Forever…in motion

Important to remember for technique:

To ensure that you have good posture keep your

shoulders back and to look out

to the horizon, not down.

As you walk, pull your belly but-

ton in towards your spine to

engage your core and you will

see some improvement in your

midsection.

What to consider when

purchasing poles:

Avoid wrist straps (as you are

more likely to cause a wrist fracture or thumb

dislocation if you fall).

Poles should be height adjustable.

Telescoping shafts with locking mechanisms that

ensure poles remain stable when you put weight

on them.

Spring-loaded shafts to reduce the impact on the

elbows.

Always buy poles in pairs.

The most important aspect of Urban Poling is that

you enjoy yourself while you exercise. The best

way to learn is to give it a try. Eventually the tech-

nique will fall into place and you will feel more

confident and efficient. The City of Saskatoon of-

fers indoor and outdoor classes on “Learn to Urban

Pole” in which they provide the poles and instruc-

tion to use them. Contact the City of Saskatoon for

information about classes.

For more information on Urban Poling or the

Forever…in motion program contact:

Kimberly Willison at 306 655-2286 or

kimberly.willison@saskatoonhealthregion.ca

As we start into spring, it is on all of our minds to

get out, get some fresh air and start walking. If you

have ever considered walking with poles I urge you

to give this amazing trend a try. Here are some

benefits of Urban Poling:

Urban Poling combines the aerobic and strength

building benefits of cross country skiing with the

lower body technique of regular walking.

Why just walk when you can Urban Pole? By add-

ing poles you turn a walk into a full body workout

using 90% of the body’s muscles.

Walking with poles has been popular in Scandina-

vian countries for years and is becoming more

popular in North America as people become aware

of the health benefits.

It is a safe, effective, low impact, and inexpensive

way to exercise and can be performed by people of

all ages and almost all fitness levels.

Urban Poling can be done just about anywhere…

sidewalks, parks, hiking trails and indoor tracks.

The poles promote a more normal step pattern as

well as additional balance and stability thereby in-

creasing confidence during walking.

Walking with Urban Poles is a low impact activity

that reduces the stress on the back, hips, and knees.

Using poles for walking has a significant effect in

terms of exercise tolerance, perceived functional

independence and quality of life.

Urban Poling increases both caloric expenditure

and oxygen consumption, i.e. how hard you work,

by 20% to 46%. Using walking poles enables par-

ticipants to walk at a faster speed with reduced im-

pact on hip and knee joints. Urban Poling is very

effective for core strengthening, upper body

strengthening as well as improving posture.

Positive Aging for all Page 7

SCOA thanks the following individuals for

their support January 1, 2015 - April 15,

2015

Elaine Diedrich,

Alex Dzubin

Mary Herrigies

Margaret Humphries

Bruce Irvine

Muriel Jarvis

Lionne Morelli

Elliot PausJenssen

Ruth Russel

Stuart Thiessen

Maureen Anderson

SCOA is pleased to announce that Maureen Ander-

son has donated $3,360.00 toward the “Mending

Seniors Hearts with Art” program to start this Fall,

dates to be announced. Thank you, Maureen for your

generous gift!

DONATIONS

Executive Director June Gawdun with

Maureen Anderson

HOW TO DONATE Planned Giving Program

On-line We can accept your donations today or you

Donate on-line—Go to our website: can set up a gift for the future by leaving a

www.scoa.ca legacy. For more information phone SCOA at

(306) 652-2255

By Mail—Fill out and return the following form:

Please send your cheque to:

Saskatoon Council on Aging

2020 College Drive, Saskatoon, SK

S7N 2W4. You will receive a tax

receipt for donations of $20.00 or

more (please include your full ad-

dress).

Yes, I would like to help the Council on Aging with a donation

of:

___$20 ____$50 _____$75 ____$100 ____$Other

Name:_______________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________

Please note: All paid programs require registration beforehand.

Contact Saskatoon Council on Aging at 306-652-2255 or email admin@scoa.ca

Long Term Care – Can the

Ombudsman Make it Better?

Wednesday June 24, 2015

1:30pm – 2:30pm

Saskatoon Council on Aging

2020 College Drive – Room 3

Free Presentation!

Please call (306) 652-2255 to register by Monday

June 22, 2015.

Come meet, learn about the work of Saskatchewan’s Om-

budsman and discuss issues of concern such as the Om-

budsman’s review of Saskatchewan’s long term care sys-

tem, improving services from the provincial government

and other topics of interest!

Bullying Isn’t Just Between Kids:

Building Respectful Communities

World Older Adult Abuse Awareness Day

Workshop

Wednesday June 10, 2015 at 8:30am – 1:00pm

McClure United Church – 4025 Taylor Street East

Cost: $15.00 (includes lunch)

Call 306-652-2255 or email june@scoa.ca by June 3, 2015

This workshop explores issues on seniors bullying seniors

and identifies ways individuals and organizations can build

respectful communities.

Free Positive Aging Drop-In Programs Includes Presentations, Blood Pressure Checks, and Ask a Nurse Station

All You Need to Know About Flowers and Gardening

May 21, 2015: Lawson Civic Centre Location – 225 Primrose Drive 1:30pm-4:00pm

May 25, 2015: Saskatoon Field House Location: SCOA – 2020 College Dr. 9:00am-12:00pm

Drop-in Program Social

June 18, 2015: Lawson Civic Centre Location – 225 Primrose Drive 1:30pm-4:00pm

June 22, 2015: Saskatoon Field House Location: SCOA – 2020 College Dr. 9:00am-12:00pm

SPRING PROGRAMS & EVENTS 2015

Technology Workshops All workshops are $25 for one 2-hour session.

Beginner iPad Workshop Dates: ** Please bring your own iPad, Apple ID and Password!

Tuesday May 26, 2015 at 9:30am – 11:30am

Level II iPad Workshop Dates:

** Please bring your own iPad, Apple ID and Password!

Tuesday June 2, 2015 at 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Please join SCOA’s self directed Drop in iPad class where you

can work as a group to solve each other’s questions. Workshop

is on June 17th, 2015 from 9:30am – 11:30am. Participants

must have completed the Level II iPad class previously. Call

the office to register, as spots are limited.

iPhone Workshop Dates: ** Please bring your own iPhone, Apple ID & Password!

Wednesday May 20, 2015 at 9:30am – 11:30am

Thursday June 18, 2015 at 9:30am – 11:30am

SCOA’s Annual General Meeting

Thursday, May 28, 2015, 1:00pm—3:00pm

Saskatoon Field House—2020 College Drive

Meeting Room #2 (2nd Floor)

Agenda:

1:00pm: Business Meeting

1:30pm—1:45pm—Free Refreshments

1:45pm—3:00pm—Panel Discussions

Topic: What organizations are doing to become age

friendly Saskatoon Open Door Society Fire Services

Avenue Community Centre Access Transit