WELLINGTON CTY. – While the bad weather might be hanging around, seniors across the county are taking the opportunity to get out, exercise and socialize, thanks to local walking groups.
In Arthur, Palmerston, Drayton and Harriston, seniors have the opportunity to join walking groups most mornings at local arenas, thanks to the Seniors’ Centre for Excellence and the Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team.
The walking groups have been running since 2009.
At that time, there were few exercise opportunities for seniors during the winter months. Seniors in those communities came forward and specifically asked to form indoor walking groups.
“In the urban areas (there may be) the opportunity to go to the mall before it’s open and do walking inside, but … if you are living in the rural areas, it’s not always safe or easy to walk outside,” said Helen Edwards, Seniors’ Centre for Excellence program coordinator.
She explained that after meeting with area recreation directors, the municipalities were on board with providing morning space in arena halls free of charge.
“It really was a need that was identified in the community,” Edwards said.
At the same time, there has been increased research into seniors, isolation and their health.
“We know having social connections is really important as you age and this is an opportunity for seniors to stay connected and to maintain their physical activity levels during the winter time,” said Edwards.
Palmerston resident and walking group member Annie May Hembly couldn’t agree more.
“[It’s] just the greatest thing that has happened,” the 81-year-old said.
Hembly joined the Palmerston walking group after she injured the sciatic nerve in her leg while shoveling snow during a shift as a hospital volunteer years ago.
“When I was going to the physiotherapist she said avoid sitting … and that’s another thing … I think it’s (walking) helped my sciatic nerve problem,” said Hembly.
Now she walks with the Palmerston group weekday mornings at 9am.
“I live alone and I guess maybe I need a reason to get up and get going,” she said.
“And you know, I am a mover not a sitter, so I am so happy that they have got this walking group.”
A major plus, Hembly added, is the social element.
“You make a lot of new friends and a lot of people are moving to our town from Fergus and the city, Kitchener and Milton and places like that,” she said.
“So we just, we all just get talking and tell everyone what’s going on in town.”
Local walking groups meet:
– in Palmerston weekday mornings at 9am at the arena;
– in Harriston at 9am Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the arena;
– in Arthur at 9:30am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the arena; and
– in Drayton at 9am Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the PMD arena.
