Seniors' exercise program ends as funding runs out
05.09.2008 17:02
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
An exercise class for seniors in Cape Breton has petered out now that the funding is gone. Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together was run by the Victorian Order of Nurses at several sites in the Sydney area. Hundreds of seniors took part over the years. The classes were tailored to suit the abilities of seniors. Participants could sit on chairs while doing arm and leg exercises, if necessary. But the program was axed this fall. "Unfortunately, like many other organizations, we run into issues with funding," said Dawn MacIsaac, branch director for the VON of Metro Cape Breton. The exercise program was launched in 2003 as a pilot project through Health Canada. It was fully funded for the first three years, MacIsaac said, and a variety of funding sources kept it going in 2006. When the funding dried up last year, the VON cut the co-ordinator's work days and started charging seniors a few dollars per class. Participation plummeted as a result, MacIsaac said. Shirley MacNeil, who has multiple sclerosis and arthritis in her knees, enjoyed getting together with a group of people her own age. She said she had been hoping to attend classes four days a week this fall. "I can walk better," MacNeil said. "When I was exercising two or three times a week, I was sleeping better." MacIsaac said the VON will refer seniors to the independent fitness instructors in Cape Breton who offer similar classes tailored for seniors. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKHealth HeadlinesCanada should screen for abdominal aneurysms in those over 65, group saysCanada should have a national screening program to diagnose potential abdominal aortic aneurysms in men and high-risk women aged 65 and older, the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery says.Signs of Down syndrome found early in cell developmentDown syndrome may result from early developmental changes in embryonic stem cells, according to researchers who hope the genetic findings could lead to therapeutic clues.C-section reduces mother's response to baby: studyMothers who push to give birth may be more responsive to the cry of their babies than those mothers who elect to have a caesarean birth, a brain-scanning study suggests.Food watchdog updates cheese recall for listeriosisCanada's food watchdog has released an updated list of cheeses recalled by Ivanhoe Cheese Inc. for listeriosis contamination.Camps for kids with cancer, disabilities, served recalled meatAbout 480 children in New Brunswick who attended summer camps for sick and physically disabled kids may have eaten meat products since recalled for listeria contamination. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHGardasilSevere side-effects rare, concerns lingerYOUR INTERVIEWListeriosisDr. Allison McGeer answers your questionsVIDEOListeriosis Dr. Dara Maker answers questions about outbreak (4:35)IN DEPTHMedical isotopesThe backbone of nuclear medicineNUTRITIONFood supplyNorth America's most endangered foodsVIDEOUniversity nutritionDos and don'ts of dorm dining (5:46)People who read this also read …
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