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News |
November is Fall Prevention month and we want to hear from you! Maybe you suffered an almost fall or a real doozy of a fall. We want to know how it happened and what you are doing differently now to avoid future falls. Maybe you are working on strength and balance or you made some changes to your home or footwear. These stories and experiences can help others. Please send no more than 250 words with a photo if possible . The best recovery stories will receive a special gift at the end of the month.
Please send your stories to kelly.gee@von.ca.
To learn more about how you can avoid falls, check here.
Please send your stories to kelly.gee@von.ca.
To learn more about how you can avoid falls, check here.
GLA:D Canada
We regret to inform you that we are NO LONGER OFFERING the GLA:D program. We apologize to all of the people who remained on the waitlist and those who are still inquiring about the program. It was our pleasure to be able to offer this program and help people in our area relieve some of the barrier osteoarthritis may have caused.
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Nutrition and Physical Activity surveyAre you interested in exercise and nutrition? Heather Keller, Schlegel Research Chair in Nutrition and Aging, and Laura Middleton, RIA Research Scientist, are conducting a food, nutrition, and physical activity survey to design wellness programs for older adults with memory changes and their family/friend care partners.
If you are a community-dwelling older adult with memory changes, or a care partner, you are eligible to participate. Complete the short survey online at www.bit.ly/nutritionexercisesurvey. |
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Susan's Success Story:Susan had been wanting to go to Flower Pot Island and complete a hike but, prior to the SMART exercise class did not feel she had the strength and endurance to complete this kind of venture. One year after exercising with the SMART exercise program she had made some remarkable gains in both her physical abilities and her confidence. The idea of that treacherous hike at Flower Pot Island being impossible now seemed achievable. She felt as though she was in the best shape in her life. And with that notion she head to Flower Pot Island and completed six hours of steep, technical hiking. She needed a walking stick to keep her balance and navigate the rocks to keep her footing. She credits the SMART exercises for strengthening her arms, legs, core which allowed her to keep her balance and complete the hike.
Days later Susan was coming down from her granddaughter’s tree house when she slipped on the wet ladder. Her foot went through a rung of the ladder and she fell from the fourth step of the ladder straight backwards. Luckily the only injury she sustained was a sprained knee. She states “It could have been a lot worse but, the exercise program has made my bones and muscles strong therefore my body could withstand the impact of the fall. My poor knee didn’t have a chance it got twisted the wrong way.” The knee injury left Susan with no control of the knee joint, however she learned how to activate her quad, hamstring and calf muscles surrounding the knee to get her knee to work as it was supposed to. She said that she would not have been able to do this if she had not participated in the SMART exercise program. Susan fully recovered from this injury and continues to attend SMART exercise classes offered at the Drayton Reformed Church on Mon, Wed and Fri at 9am. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling by in rising every time we fall” Confucius Susan wanted to share her story so that she can encourage others to exercise as it is the universal prescription to pretty much everything. It will not only make one feel better, have more energy, be more mobile, prevent falls but also to help one to recover more quickly if they do sustain an injury. Frailty is not inevitable it is in fact reversible and one is never too young or too old to start. |
Input from our Staff
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When I started this position as a Smart Exercise Facilitator, they had mentioned the rewarding feeling of watching our clients improve as a result of our program. I had never really experienced this overwhelming sense of gratification until I taught my class last week. I was asked by one of the participants if I had noticed any benefits from leading the exercises over the summer. I had expressed that my flexibility has certainly improved. I thought that I would open the same question up to my clients during the next class. As per usual no one had really given me a response, so I shared my improvements with all of them. Once I wrapped up the class, multiple people came up to me to tell me how they have benefited from coming to the SMART exercises.
They had all expressed that our classes have improved their strength and mobility which had made it easier for them to complete tasks in their daily lives. The participants also discussed the social relationships that they have built from attending the classes. One lady said that she can tell the difference between attending twice a week and once a week. Another individual commented that coming out to classes has not only improved her strength and flexibility but it gives her the motivation to remain active throughout the day as well. Even though no one had spoken up during the class it was so rewarding to see the expressions of enthusiasm and self gratitude on their faces as they discussed how the classes have helped them. This is one of the reasons why I am so happy to be apart of the program not only has an instructor but as someone who has experienced the benefits of exercise myself. I can only be hopeful that more and more people are able to take part in the SMART program and start seeing benefits for themselves as well. SMART Exercise Facilitator Kyra Ash |
Three Generations all Exercising Together in the SMART program: Advocates of Health and Wellbeing From One Generation to the Next
It is inspirational when one sees the amazing character passed on from one generation to the next! Parents can be the biggest influence in determining the ideas and attitudes of their children. Brenda Chantler, Laurel Berry and Kirsten Berry are perfect examples of this. Brenda joined the program when it was first offered in 2013 and has been a regular participant and a strong advocate of the program. Her realization that this program keeps people fit, active and independent has motivated her friends and neighbours to join the fun. Brenda also recruited her daughter Laurel Berry a Certified Holistic Nutritionist that she apply for the position of a SMART Gentle Exercise facilitator and the program has been more than appreciate of Laurel’s outstanding presence as her class is one of the most popular and best attended. In fact, so well attended that due to the demand we were able to expand these classes to 4 days week.
Laurel has recently recruited her daughter for a summer position as a Gentle Exercise Facilitator and Kristen received a round of applause while completing her practical evaluation with clients requesting that she instructor her class again.
“Actions speak louder than words!” The VON SMART program is very blessed to have such supportive and strong advocates to promote Health and Fitness to our community!
It is inspirational when one sees the amazing character passed on from one generation to the next! Parents can be the biggest influence in determining the ideas and attitudes of their children. Brenda Chantler, Laurel Berry and Kirsten Berry are perfect examples of this. Brenda joined the program when it was first offered in 2013 and has been a regular participant and a strong advocate of the program. Her realization that this program keeps people fit, active and independent has motivated her friends and neighbours to join the fun. Brenda also recruited her daughter Laurel Berry a Certified Holistic Nutritionist that she apply for the position of a SMART Gentle Exercise facilitator and the program has been more than appreciate of Laurel’s outstanding presence as her class is one of the most popular and best attended. In fact, so well attended that due to the demand we were able to expand these classes to 4 days week.
Laurel has recently recruited her daughter for a summer position as a Gentle Exercise Facilitator and Kristen received a round of applause while completing her practical evaluation with clients requesting that she instructor her class again.
“Actions speak louder than words!” The VON SMART program is very blessed to have such supportive and strong advocates to promote Health and Fitness to our community!
