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Lindsay Advocate article published July 4, 2019

By Laurie Scott, The Lambton Shield

Local MPP Laurie Scott participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Ontario’s first Seniors’ Play Park, which is about to be built in Fenelon Falls. Thanks to the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team receiving a $121,600 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation earlier this year, the park is on its way to becoming a reality. 

“I am pleased that the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team has been awarded a $121,600 grant to build the first Play Park in Fenelon Falls,” said Scott. “By providing a free and accessible recreational space for seniors, this is an investment in the promotion of social and active lifestyles.”

The creation of a Seniors’ Play Park for Fenelon Falls is the initiative of local resident Penni Holdham. The basic idea behind designing outdoor gyms and play areas for older adults or those with mobility challenges is to help improve people’s overall health and fitness and reduce isolation. The park, located at the Lloyd Kelly Parkette behind the Red Apple, will provide 24/7 outdoor space with activity stations that have no barriers to access.

“We are very proud to deliver the first Seniors’ Play Park in our area, generously funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Penni Holdham.

The most recent population data available indicates that 50 per cent of people living in Fenelon Falls are over 55 years of age. Seniors Play Parks are designed for older adults looking to safely maintain their flexibility, agility and mobility through use of low-impact equipment geared for gentle exercise while enjoying time with friends. It’s expected that the park will be an outdoor recreational space where seniors can engage in a range of stretching and balancing activities using the onsite, fun and easy-to-use activity stations. There will be no fees or set hours to use the park and all activities are self-guided.

“We are pleased to help provide opportunities for local seniors to stay active and socialize,” said Mike Perry, Executive Director of the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team. “There are great health – and health care cost savings – benefits to keeping active and this kind of park really has great potential.”

The City of Kawartha Lakes municipality approved the park to be used for this purpose and will be taking care of its maintenance for the coming years. The park is scheduled to open this fall.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded more than $108 million to some 629 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.  For more information, please visit: www.otf.ca

Click here to access the complete Lindsay Advocate article

Owen Sound Sun Times article published on July 4, 2019

By Patrick Spencer, The Owen Sound Sun Times

How do I make a budget? What should I cook for one? How do I book a doctor’s appointment?

A network of health professionals say these are questions youth often ask themselves the first time they leave home – but the answers aren’t always obvious, and they might be embarrassed to ask for them.

Now, the Owen Sound Family Health Team has created a seminar that aims to provide them.

“Adulting 101” is a free, one-day learning symposium designed to help young people navigate life away from home.

“It’s for people moving off on their own who might end up struggling,” said Rona Cobean, program and services manager at the Family Health Team. “We’re going to try and prevent those panicked conversations with parents. It’s a non-judgmental way young people can learn.”

Cobean said the idea for it came about when another health group in Owen Sound floated the idea of a cooking class for university-bound youth.

“That morphed into something that focused on more life skills,” she said.

Participants will learn from trained professionals about budgeting and finances, nutrition, health and wellness, and how to navigate the health care system. Two registered dietitians, an occupational therapist, a registered nurse and a financial advisor will be presenting advice and “life hacks” on these topics.

“Parents do teach, but kids don’t always listen to their parents as much as they listen to a professional,” said Carol Holland, a registered dietitian at the health team who will teach at the seminar. “It’s not a comment on families that don’t know this stuff, though.”

She added some parents may not have gone to university or college, and therefore can’t share what the experience was like with their children.

Professionals can also help avoid the pitfalls of misinformation.

“We are able to present solid evidence-based healthy eating strategies, where other folks might not be able to. With so much information on the internet, it’s hard to tell what’s good advice and what isn’t.”

Part of Holland’s presentation will be a hands-on demonstration of how to cook for one in a dorm room. The participants will eat what they make for lunch. The simple, budget-friendly meals will sustain energy and focus, she said.

Stress-management is another aspect of the seminar.

Tatum Bell, an occupational therapist at the health team, said in an interview that it’s important people get these skills early in life to avoid problems down the road. Bell will be teaching time and sleep-management strategies, on top of other stress-reducing techniques.

A member of the Grey Bruce Health Unit will also be present to teach methods of harm reduction.

Cobean said they hope to take in about 20 people for the first seminar, but if it’s a success, they plan to hold another later in the year for students who are starting in the winter semester.

The seminar comes at a time when life skills have been on the mind of the provincial government as well. It has been widely reported that the Grade 10 curriculum will include a greater focus on financial literacy, including tasks such as budgeting for the first year of university.

“Adulting 101” is scheduled for August 1, 2019 and runs from 9 a.m.  to 3 p.m. at the Owen Sound Family Health Team building at 1415 1st Ave. W.

You can sign up by calling 519-470-3030 ext. 103.

Click here to access the Owen Sound Sun Times article