By Dan Marshall

Active Aging Week promotes healthy living for seniors in the RDN

Sep 27, 2016 | 11:56 PM

PARKSVILLE — We may not all grow old gracefully, but Active Aging Week is an attempt to help seniors fight father time and stay healthy.

The Regional District of Nanaimo is planning events in the Oceanside area until Saturday.

Keeping those over 65 active is important according to RDN recreation programmer Jennifer Hopewell.

“For people who are living from the Nanoose to Bowser area, an opportunity to try new activities,” said Hopewell. “We are one of the oldest populations in the province and in the country however we are also one of the most active. There’s lots of opportunities to stay active and this is a week to just highlight those opportunities.”

It’s well known that Oceanside has a large seniors population, with an average age of 59 in Parksville and 63 in Qualicum Beach.

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That’s much higher than the B.C. average of 41-years-old as of the 2011 census.

Hopewell says healthy living is much more than just joining classes or programs in the community, it’s about establishing a daily routine.

“We always of course encourage walking, walking groups, learning some fitness classes either online or in a class. You may go to that class only twice a week but you can be doing those exercises in your home on a daily basis. Staying active every day is what’s going to keep you healthy,” said Hopewell.

There’s a full list of free local sessions here.

One of the most popular events so far this week is pickleball. Hugh Bohm is in charge of the program in Oceanside. He says he’s seen lots of new faces out this week, but he hopes to see many more before the end of Active Aging Week on Saturday.