The Rejuvenate conference had Ponoka’s seniors feeling so good they turned their drumming circle session into a dance celebration.
Rejuvenation was held at the Ponoka Drop-in Centre June 5 and focused on improving the well being of seniors through three informative and interactive sessions.
Rhythm fitness was instructed by Tamera de Ryck and included many toe-tapping and Bollywood beats perfect to stretch out the muscles.
The drumming circle was led by Jamie Gone, drum circle facilitator of rhythm, and the seniors were given the chance to relax their minds and lose themselves in drumming.
The most stationary was called Putting the Fun Back into Food and was led by Shannon Boyce-Campbell, executive director of FCSS.
Boyce-Campbell wanted to dispel or prove some of the myths that follow aging and eating and have the seniors evaluate their own lives when it comes to eating healthy and eating happy.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult but it seems seniors, despite the wisdom their years have brought, fall into some of the bad habits the rest of us have.
The conference discovered one of the challenges of eating healthy stems from loneliness. There’s a social connection to food and full-balanced meals aren’t always made by those living alone because it’s seen as too much work.
“One thing about food is we have control over it, we think we don’t but we do,” said Boyce-Campbell.
“We eat out too much. That’s what I find as seniors,” said Muriel Eagle.
Boyce-Campbell explained eating out is the one time people lose control of their own food and what’s put into it. However, eating out helps appease the social need that follows.
Digestive problems and depression also play into how and what seniors eat.
Boyce-Campbell said for those looking to eat healthier, a partner is a good way to go about it. Being accountable to someone other than yourself is a strong motivator. “To make change happen we need to have the motivation and we need to have the triggers to keep us going.”
Playing on the social aspects, the whole convention was a social outing for those attending, said FCSS program co-ordinator Emma Curran.
Curran grew up in Ponoka and returned after six years of university to leap into her position with FCSS in May.
“Overall I think it was enjoyable for those who attended,” said Curran.
“This is my hometown and not only that I’ve always been drawn to non-profit. I want to develop this town as much as possible.”