June 2019: Message from the Executive Director

I recently celebrated 25 years of working for SCOA with the Board of Directors. When looking back at the past 25 years I have seen the agency grow in many ways. I am truly blessed to have the pleasure of working with very talented volunteers and staff that are key to many successes we see today. SCOA has been working to create an age-friendly community that supports older adults to stay active, engaged and informed. We all win in an age-friendly community

Highlights:

• Our organization has grown from 300 members in the beginning years to almost 4000 members!
• This past year SCOA has assisted 35,042 individuals through phoning our Resource and Information Centre, emailing us, stopping by, visiting our websites, attending our presentations, events, workshops, courses and participating in our programs.
• We will be holding our annual general meeting June 5 at 1:30 p.m. at Crossmount. Come join us and find out how we are building a better future with older adults and changing the conversation about aging.

Message from the Executive Director

Thank you for supporting the Saskatoon Council on Aging through your donations and renewing memberships recently.   By giving, you are supporting many of the free programs and services SCOA offers.  If you renew or become a new member you can receive valuable coupons from various vendors as a thank you.  They are available to pick up at our office.

Due to construction the Saskatoon Field House where our office is located will be closed from June 15, 2019 until September 15, 2019.  During this time we will be temporarily working out of the Community Health Centre located in Market Mall.  Our phone numbers [306-652-2255] and emails will be the same and it will be business as usual.

If you are 65 plus and are interested in learning more about the Police and Fire Services we have partnered together to create a fun, innovative program called the Community Police and Fire Academy.  More details are in this edition of the eNews.

Do you want to let Saskatoon know you are a talented country and western music performer? Please take note in this eNews the details about our call for auditions for the Grand “Old” Opry Zoomer Style event we will be holding at the Western Development Museum on March 27, 2020.

Spotlight on Seniors – Celebrate 20 Years!

Spotlight on Seniors is a tradeshow for older adults (55 and up) hosted by the Saskatoon Council on Aging and TCU Place in Saskatoon.  Now in its 20th year, Spotlight is an important fixture on the autumn agenda for older adults in Saskatoon. The show usually corresponds with Seniors Week in Saskatchewan, a week proclaimed by the province to celebrate the contributions of older adults.

This year the show features a look back at 20 years of Spotlight, great entertainment with Spectacle, Young at Heart and lively dancing with Bridge City Cloggers and Free Flow Dance Theatre Company. Other features include 50/50 tickets, “Wall of Photos” and much more!

1.     Date & location: Tuesday, October 1, 2019,  9 am to 3 pm
TCU Place – 35 22nd Street East, Saskatoon
Details: trade show booths, entertainment, displays, free draws, refreshments
Admission: $10 pay at the door

2.     To purchase a trade show booth contact  Joan TCU Place 306.975.1466
Corporate, Small Business and non-profit rates are available.

3.     To become a sponsor which includes a booth and advertising contact SCOA 306-652-0149 or download documents  from this page.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Goal of Spotlight on Seniors:

To raise awareness of community services to enrich the lives of older adults and support positive aging.

Background: The first Spotlight on Seniors was held on November 1, 1999 to recognize the International Year of Older Persons (IYOP).  The show was held in a downtown hotel and featured trade show booths and entertainment. Spotlight has expanded since then and the venue has moved to TCU Place, our downtown auditorium in Saskatoon.

Highlights of Spotlight on Seniors:

·        70 + trade show booths

·        Entertainment and music

·        Speakers and demonstrations

·        Refreshments and lunch

·        Raffles and prize draws

Volunteer Connector: Community Links

The Saskatoon Council on Aging held the third annual Volunteer Connector event on Friday, February 1st, 2019 at the Saskatoon Field House.  The cold stormy weather was no barrier for the older adults and communities agencies who participated at the event.

The Volunteer Connector links older adults and community agencies in mutually beneficial partnerships. Older adults find volunteer opportunities to stay active and contribute to worthwhile community causes. Community agencies benefit from the knowledge and experience of older adult volunteers. Older adults are dedicated and skilled volunteers that contribute hours of valuable work to charities and non-profits each year.

Thank you to our sponsors and partners; Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatoon Public Library and Revera. 

The Volunteer Connector was followed by a professional development session that focused on a presentation on ageism by Mercedes Montgomery and Elliot Paus Jenssen.

Key messages from the presentation:

• Become aware of ageism as a socially constructed, learned prejudice – that can be changed!
• Understand the harm ageism causes.
• Recognize ageist attitudes, language (in self and others, in the media and in institutions).
• Dare to challenge ageism, change the culture.

 

 

Winter Fitness Opportunities

SCOA Globe Walk 2019: STAY FIT THIS WINTER

If you are 50+ years – challenge yourself and motivate others to take part in a fun winter fitness program – with a bonus of great social activities. You’ll stay active and work with your team to achieve an awesome  new Globe Walk goal.   Read more 

Saskatchewan Seniors Fitness Association Activities

Discover the many activities SSFA  provides for members in order to assist them in achieving active lifestyles as well as making new friends through socializing with fellow members. It is our goal to improve the well-being of seniors by planning and organizing physical, cultural, social and intellectual activities. Read more ….

Bridge City Senioraction

A 55 plus co-ed seniors exercise club,  whose members are interested in improving their quality of life through a program of physical fitness.
Annual membership $20 per year, drop in fee $2.00 per session.
Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays, Saskatoon Field House 9:30 am to 10:30 am.
All new members welcome. Phone Sheila 306-931-8053 or Kathy 306-244-0587 for more information.

Forever … in motion

Forever … in motion is a physical activity program for Older Adults 50+ in the community. Peer leaders teach safe exercises that include a warm-up, cardio, strength, balance and flexibility exercises.  Most classes are free or very low cost.  Participating in physical activity can reduce your risk of having a fall by 40 percent!  For more information or to find out about a Forever…in motion group near you contact us at 306-844-4080.

Fit Over 50 Program, City of Saskatoon : A Guide To Physical Activity For People 50+

• Drop-in Fitness Programs
• Registered Programs
• Smart Start Beginner Fitness
• Spotlight on Fitness: The First Step ProgramTM

Get Connected with Volunteering!

If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity in the New Year,  our volunteer fair is the place to be! Come to our Volunteer Connector and “get connected” with agencies and organizations that are seeking older adult volunteers.

When: February 1, 2019  8 am to 11 am
Where: Saskatoon Field House [court area]
Parking: Free, use main lot, enter your license places in machine in the Field House lobby
Cost: FREE
Refreshments will be available

Phone 306-652-2255 for more information

Refreshments courtesy of: 

Caregiver Week 2019

Caregiver Week March 17-23, 2019

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Care for the Caregiver Forum – Friday, March 22, 2019

• Caregiver App Launch: Lorraine Holtslander and Shelley Peacock (University of Saskatchewan)
• Caregiver Self-Care presentation : Jeanne Beaudoin (Saskatchewan Health Authority)
• “The Vulnerability of Caregiving”: Facilitated group discussions

Circle Drive Alliance Church – 3035 Preston Ave. S.
10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Registration 9:30 am)
Music by: Harpist Heidi Derksen, Cellist Jillian Gushulak
Cost: $20 (Lunch included – must pay in advance)
To register call SCOA at 306-652-2255

Our thanks to Saskatoon Community Foundation

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Caregiver Workshop – Monday, March 18, 2019

Cliff Wright Library presentation “Services for Caregivers”
Parkinson Canada presentation “Information for Caregivers”
Cliff Wright Library – 1635 McKercher Dr.
1pm-3pm
Cost: FREE
To register call 306-652-2255