VIU JOINS COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO HOST ACTIVE AGING WEEK

Fun, informative and educational activities – including guest speakers, interactive demonstrations, access to health and fitness resources, and other community events – will take place during Active Aging Week celebrations Sept. 22 to 28 in Oceanside.

“Our theme, Discover Your Community, opens the door for seniors to discover new ideas, practices and places to support active living,” says Dr. Lynne MacFadgen, Manager of Vancouver Island University’s Centre for Healthy Aging. “The celebration also honours seniors’ civic and volunteer contributions that form the bedrock of our communities.”

Activities are being organized collaboratively by VIU’s Centre for Healthy Aging, VIU’s ElderCollege, the Regional District of Nanaimo, the municipalities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach, Oceanside Healthy Living Association, and the Society of Organized Services.

There are three major highlights of the week-long celebration:

On Sept. 24 and 25, VIU is organizing a Seniors Integrated Care Forum at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre 9 am to 4 pm each day, with panel presentations and discussion focused on creative options for helping older adults live healthy, independent and socially engaged lives in Parksville, Qualicum Beach and surrounding communities.

This event, sponsored by the Union of BC Municipalities, will attract a diverse audience of local municipalities, Vancouver Island Health Authority, health practitioners and senior-serving community partners. Everyone is welcome. Pre-registration is requested as seating is limited and a free lunch is provided.

VIU’s Being the Best You Can Be At Any Age event on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Parksville Civic & Convention Centre from 10 am to 2 pm, features keynote speaker Dr. Gordon Cochrane, a registered sports psychologist, teacher and author with years of experience promoting performance enhancement, motivation and self-worth.

Dr. Cochrane’s motivational talk will teach participants how to identify and respond to performance challenges, and to use resources to strengthen your faith in yourself and to perform your best.


Going Gold, Not Old is a free drop-in event open to everyone on Friday, Sept. 27, noon to 4 pm, at the Parksville Lions Outdoor Gym in the Parksville Community Park.

“We invite Oceanside residents to join us for this fun and informal day, with personal trainers and VIU students supporting the use of the park’s unique activity stations,” says MacFadgen.

There will be interactive demonstrations such as zumba gold, yoga, belly dancing, pickle ball, Tai Chi and more. Free transportation to the park is available. Call Oceanside Shuttle at 250-240-2352.


Active Aging Week is a national event organized by the International Council on Active Aging.

“The idea is to showcase as many activities and events as possible so that older adults and their families can participate in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere,” adds MacFadgen.

To register for the Seniors Integrated Care Forum and for the Being the Best You Can Be At Any Age event, visit VIU’s Centre for Healthy Aging website at www.cha.viu.ca or call Heidi Abbott at 250-248-2096, ext. 3238. See the website for a complete list of all Active Aging Week activities.

Active Aging Week events are being generously sponsored by Thrifty Foods, Greater Victoria ElderCare Foundation and Scotiabank.

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Media Contact


Janina Stajic, Manager, Communications and Public Engagement, Vancouver Island University P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews