– by Doreen Marion Gee –
The cultural myth that aging inevitably means deterioration is being turned on its head in the new millennium. Instead of winding down, people in their ’80s are winning marathons and going to university. A remarkable new partnership between Panorama Recreation Centre and Sidney SeniorCare is connecting seniors to the community and introducing them to new worlds of learning, exercise and recreation. This new adventure is a game changer for seniors, boosting their quality of life.
The air was full of sizzling optimism when I interviewed five new-age thinkers from Panorama Rec and Sidney SeniorCare: Shauna Dorko, Sidney SeniorCare CEO; Panorama’s Lisa Sneek, Marketing; Kerry Broome, Program Services; Martine King, Recreation, Elder College; and Dustin Ray-Wilks, Recreation. “The sky is the limit” to Shauna, who sees the immense possibilities of this new partnership that treats seniors to the mental and physical benefits of Panorama programs. Already, Sidney SeniorCare has helped many clients revel in a new world of exercise and wellness at Panorama Rec. Lisa Sneek views this innovative alliance as another vehicle in creating a healthier, stronger community, while Kerry believes that the partnership has the potential to effect real positive change on the Peninsula.
Within this creative new partnership between the two strong community-builders is a special symbiotic collaboration between Sidney SeniorCare and the Peninsula Elder College. Each is helping each other to ensure as many Peninsula seniors as possible benefit from the mind-expanding educational courses and workshops offered at Panorama’s Elder College. Shauna’s staff are presently introducing clients to an amazing new universe of learning, curiosity, technology and intellectual pursuits.
In her role spearheading Elder College programming, Martine will be talking with Sidney SeniorCare about more options for Fall 2014 courses. Dustin is passionate about giving seniors the opportunity to exercise both their minds and bodies through Panorama Rec and Elder College. Certainly this is a progressive shift in our mindset about aging. Instead of slowing down, this new partnership enables older adults to get out of the home, become physically and mentally active and be involved in their community. New research shows that regular mental and physical workouts keep our bodies and brains young. Many seniors will probably enjoy longer and happier lives due to this marriage of Panorama Rec and Sidney SeniorCare.
Sidney SeniorCare plays a vital role in reaching out to seniors in the community and easing their transition into Panorama programs. And the friendly Rec Centre makes it all possible with their state-of-the-art all-inclusive facility. Shauna: “Our goal is to enrich the quality of life of each and every client of ours.” That is the ultimate pay-off as people get older, stronger, fitter and smarter.
Contacts: Panorama: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama; Elder College: mking@panoramarec.bc.ca; Sidney SeniorCare: shaunadorko@shaw.ca, info@sidneyseniorcare.ca.
