What: Free public presentations
Who: co-hosted by UBC Okanagan’s Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention and Interior Health
When: March 1 to March 24
Where: Various locations throughout the Okanagan
Website and schedule: ihlcdp.ok.ubc.ca
Aging is inevitable. Yet, taking steps to aging well can make life better now and over the long term.
March is Embrace Aging month at UBC’s Okanagan campus. To mark this occasion, the Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention, along with the Interior Health Authority, have teamed up to present 14 free events throughout the Okanagan. The events aim to help individuals age well — both mentally and physically.
UBC faculty, students, and experts from Interior Health and the community will present on topics as diverse as new communications tools, atrial fibrillation, and risk taking by older adults.
Highlights from the month’s lineup include:
- Public transportation accessibility and options for seniors: Joyce Mainland, a BC Transit training and mobility specialist, will discuss BC Transit and handyDART accessibility and options for seniors utilizing public transit as an alternate or supplement to driving. This event takes place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 at the Parkinson Rec Centre.
- Singing makes everything better: Nigel Brown, executive director of Sing for Your Life Canada Foundation B.C., will share the moving story of the impetus for Sing for Your Life Foundation in the United Kingdom. He will highlight this participatory-singing program and how it encourages isolated older people living at home to come out and sing socially with others. This event takes place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 15 at the Vernon Public Library.
- Tossin’ and turnin’? Sleep tips for seniors: Dr. Ronald Cridland, CCFP, diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine, will present options and strategies. This event takes place at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 17 at the Parkinson Rec Centre.
- Making room for older adults: Increasing the liveability of homes and communities: Dr. Norah Keating, director of the Global Social Initiative on Aging, International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, will discuss new initiatives. This event takes place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 at the Penticton Community Centre.
This is the third annual Okanagan Embrace Aging month. While some events take place on campus, others are at community venues such as the Okanagan Regional Library and the Parkinson Recreation Centre. An option to join by webinar is also available for some events. All are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Details are available at: ihlcdp.eventbrite.ca
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