Recreation NL’s goal is to increase awareness of active living through targeted events, community resources and communication supports.
Our ambassador, Dr. TA Loeffler has been a strong advocate and promoter of the campaign along with our Physical Activity Advisory Committee who assists with the overall development, collaboration, coordination and delivery of the Campaign. For more information about TA, follow https://taloeffler.com/.
A Common Vision For Increasing Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Living In Canada: Let’s Get Moving!
The principal purpose of the Common Vision is to guide and stimulate coordinated and collaborative policies and actions to increase physical activity and to reduce sedentary behaviours among all Canadians across their lifetime.
Click here for an accessible versions.
Recreation NL’s Active for Life program is a fun and engaging falls prevention initiative designed specifically for older adults. Through simple, guided strength and balance exercises, participants build confidence, improve mobility, and reduce their risk of falls – all in a welcoming social environment.
Whether participants are looking to maintain independence or just want to stay active with others in the community, Active for Life helps improve movement, strength and stability.
Active for Life was developed in partnership with the Memorial University, School of Human Kinetics and Recreation. The program is research based to assist older adults improve their balance and strength and in doing so, reduce falls risk.
Falls are a serious problem for older adults in Canada and NL. Unlike falls in younger individuals, falls in older adults can have much more serious consequences.
Given that in NL the number of older adults is continuing to increase. This means that the number of falls will likely increase, resulting in more individuals experiencing increased pain, suffering and no longer being able to live independently (or having to change their current living arrangements). This also, increases demands on caregivers and the health care system.
Falls are not an inevitable part of aging – falls can be prevented.
Active for Life Program
Each program looks a little different, depending on the location, number of participants, equipment available, etc.
All programs are held at least 2-3 times per week, and each session consist of a warm-up, strengthening exercises, balance exercises, activity (such as an obstacle course) and a cool down.
Active for Life Leaders
All leaders complete an application process and must have experience in working with older adults as well as, a background in physical activity programs.
Once approved leaders must complete the 7 hour in-person Active for Life training.
The training provides information on:
– older adults fall risk,
– how physical activity can reduce the risk of falling,
– detailed exercise plan
– safety
Leaders are trained to modify exercises/activities to meet participants at their current levels and progress them to improve their strength and balance.
If you are interested in starting a program in your community and/or completing the Active for Life Leader training, please reach out to Pam Mills at the Recreation NL office at pammills@recreationnl.com
