The Circuit Gym Presentation was done in the fall of 2017.
Handout re: Circuit Gym Presentation for Trail City Council
Presenters: Wendy Harvey Theresa Buchner
From The Society for Protection and Care of Seniors (SPCS)
Request:
We are asking Trail City Council to create an opportunity for Seniors to increase their physical fitness. This could be achieved by developing a portion of the library space in the Trail Memorial Centre to a Circuit Gym.
- SPCS received a presentation from Vickie Fitzpatrick, Age Friendly Coordinator in Fruitvale/Beaver Valley regarding the free gym that was set up in Fruitvale. 100 seniors in Fruitvale requested a gym for seniors only, this was created and now has 300 residents signed up and accessing space.
A free gym for seniors is of great interest to our group. SPCS has obtained signatures supporting our request and will present to council.
Two main driving factors in creation of gym:
- The first factor is physical fitness. It can change lives. The Council of Senior Citizen's Health and Wellness Institute workshops stress the importance of physical fitness – exercise is recommended to help prevent injury and disease as well as part of addressing many other issues – even lack of sleep!
The World Health Organization agrees and finds poor physical fitness as a factor in many diseases. The following is a direct quote: “Many people believe that if individuals develop chronic disease as a result of unhealthy ‘lifestyles’, they have no one to blame but themselves. The truth is that individual responsibility can have its full effect only where individuals have equitable access to a healthy life, and are supported to make healthy choices”.
- People in poor health are much less likely to participate in community and municipal events. It is very interesting that in 2010 stats for a sense of community belonging, Trail rated 85.7% compared to the BC Average of 68.3%. This is for ages 12 and up but what a great statistic and one that makes us proud of Trail!
- The second point is that participating in physical activities can be costly. In the Trail area, 25 % of households have an income below $20,000 (not necessarily all seniors) and 70% of Trail’s population pay more than 30% for shelter. Add in day to day expenses of food, medications … and there is not much extra.
- One of the greatest roadblocks to physical fitness is cost, while on the other side, poor physical fitness leads to higher costs and usage in both medical and care systems!
- We all know the HUGE cost that occurs – in dollars, stress and strain on all involved when a senior loses their balance and falls, breaking a hip. This impacts on the ambulance, emergency, surgery and recovery portions of medical service, then after care by the family and Community Care. Physical fitness can aid in preventing this type of injury as well as diseases. A physically fit person will usually have a much faster recovery.
Page 2/ Handout re: Circuit Gym Presentation for Trail City Council
|Requirements for a Seniors Circuit Gym
Sources:
Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute – Trail 2015 Profile www.cbrdi.ca/wp-content/uploads/Trail_2015_Profile.pdf
Provincial Health Services - BC Community Health – Trail 2014 Profile www.phsa.ca/Documents/Community-Health-Profile/Trail.pdf
World Health Authority Website
Handout re: Circuit Gym Presentation for Trail City Council
Presenters: Wendy Harvey Theresa Buchner
From The Society for Protection and Care of Seniors (SPCS)
Request:
We are asking Trail City Council to create an opportunity for Seniors to increase their physical fitness. This could be achieved by developing a portion of the library space in the Trail Memorial Centre to a Circuit Gym.
- SPCS received a presentation from Vickie Fitzpatrick, Age Friendly Coordinator in Fruitvale/Beaver Valley regarding the free gym that was set up in Fruitvale. 100 seniors in Fruitvale requested a gym for seniors only, this was created and now has 300 residents signed up and accessing space.
A free gym for seniors is of great interest to our group. SPCS has obtained signatures supporting our request and will present to council.
Two main driving factors in creation of gym:
- The first factor is physical fitness. It can change lives. The Council of Senior Citizen's Health and Wellness Institute workshops stress the importance of physical fitness – exercise is recommended to help prevent injury and disease as well as part of addressing many other issues – even lack of sleep!
The World Health Organization agrees and finds poor physical fitness as a factor in many diseases. The following is a direct quote: “Many people believe that if individuals develop chronic disease as a result of unhealthy ‘lifestyles’, they have no one to blame but themselves. The truth is that individual responsibility can have its full effect only where individuals have equitable access to a healthy life, and are supported to make healthy choices”.
- People in poor health are much less likely to participate in community and municipal events. It is very interesting that in 2010 stats for a sense of community belonging, Trail rated 85.7% compared to the BC Average of 68.3%. This is for ages 12 and up but what a great statistic and one that makes us proud of Trail!
- The second point is that participating in physical activities can be costly. In the Trail area, 25 % of households have an income below $20,000 (not necessarily all seniors) and 70% of Trail’s population pay more than 30% for shelter. Add in day to day expenses of food, medications … and there is not much extra.
- One of the greatest roadblocks to physical fitness is cost, while on the other side, poor physical fitness leads to higher costs and usage in both medical and care systems!
- We all know the HUGE cost that occurs – in dollars, stress and strain on all involved when a senior loses their balance and falls, breaking a hip. This impacts on the ambulance, emergency, surgery and recovery portions of medical service, then after care by the family and Community Care. Physical fitness can aid in preventing this type of injury as well as diseases. A physically fit person will usually have a much faster recovery.
Page 2/ Handout re: Circuit Gym Presentation for Trail City Council
|Requirements for a Seniors Circuit Gym
- accessible, central location that has frequent bus service
- safe and already part of the community
- the Trail Memorial Center provides the capability to combine a gym workout with a walking program – either through town and along Esplande, across walking bridges or through rink rounds in poor weather.
- Attached handout shows information on basic equipment needs and costs for a circuit gym. Cost could be reduced by purchasing equipment from Women’s Journey to Fitness
- a Circuit Gym would be an enhancement to Trail facilities. It is a fun, quick way to get a full body workout. Well suited to seniors as it works with your strength.
- equipment requires minimal maintenance
- there are volunteers willing to work with council to create and maintain the gym
- a Circuit gym in the Trail Memorial Center would help keep the facility in use by seniors
- By 2025, 30% of our population will be 65 and up – in preparation, many communities are developing Age Friendly recreation activities and policies.
- We would like to work with the council in developing physical fitness opportunities for seniors – possibly starting with creating a circuit gym.
Sources:
Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute – Trail 2015 Profile www.cbrdi.ca/wp-content/uploads/Trail_2015_Profile.pdf
Provincial Health Services - BC Community Health – Trail 2014 Profile www.phsa.ca/Documents/Community-Health-Profile/Trail.pdf
World Health Authority Website