By Darren Lum
Published July 2 2018
Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean the Community Support Services is going on holidays.
Through the Community Support Services programming area residents are assisted with living a full and healthy life whether it’s the 12-week Falls Prevention Program creative and physical recreation or making connections with the Social Recreation Drop-in Program. Many of these programs are free.
Nancy Brownsberger community outreach co-ordinator said social recreation provides programming that fulfills the needs indicated by area residents.
“The common thread for social recreation is to provide community informed (what people say they want) programming that allows older adults and adults with disabilities the opportunity to engage with others in a useful and meaningful way. The purpose of these programs is to allow individuals to remain socially engaged with their community to enhance mental and physical wellness thereby allowing them to remain independent and living in their own communities for as long and healthfully as possible as they age” she wrote in an email.
The Social Recreation Drop-in Program is held in Highlands East the second and fourth Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is featuring line dancing from July to August. There is coffee and colouring and some light craft making. A billiards table dart board cribbage and board games are always available for participants to enjoy.
A second drop-in program may be in the works for Minden Hills.
Brownsberger said “We look forward to letting you know what has been determined as we move forward with this exciting initiative.”
The 12-week Falls Prevention Program is a free offering at the Keith Tallman arena on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m. Aug. 6 and ending the week of Oct. 29. It is designed and delivered by a physiotherapy aid in consultation with HHHS occupational therapist to assess educate physically train and support participants to prevent falling.
The ideal participant is anyone over the age of 55 who is concerned about falling and learning ways to prevent it. Brownsberger said falls are the leading cause of injury in Canada’s seniors populations. One in three seniors will fall each year and falls are the cause of 85 per cent of hospitalizations of people over the age of 64.
People can register for free by contacting 705-457-2941 or by attending the first day of classes (a registration package will be provided at this time as well as an intake and belief physical ability assessment). The program is in Haliburton at the Ruth Parkes Room on Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon. In Minden at the Fireside Lounge in Hyland Crest on Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon. In Wilberforce at the Keith Tallman Arena on Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Brownsberger said the Social Recreation Drop-in program is run in conjunction with a team of HHHS volunteers to assist with effective program delivery. They hope to co-ordinate educational sessions that focus on health and wellness and are currently undergoing consultation with both providers and communities to ascertain what they would like to see at these sessions.
For more information visit the Community Support Services calendar of events at www.hhhs.ca.
