By: Lawrence Comiskey
Retirement Listing Service
The 2010 Senior Games Actifest has wrapped up for another two years and excited participants are already looking forward to the 2012 Games to be held in Brampton, Ontario. This year was a major success as Oshawa played host to the games, providing a beautiful backdrop for the over 1200 participants who competed in eighteen different sports and events. Now before we dive any deeper into this story, let’s make one thing clear. The Actifest is full of young at heart, healthy, active individuals resembling that of a much younger generation. In fact referring to this event as the “Senior Games” is surreal considering that many of these participants could easily match up and beat someone 10 to 20 years younger, in their particular sport.
Registration Day at Oshawa University for the 2010 Senior Games Actifest
The Oshawa University was set up as the Athletes Village. This state of the art facility was a wonderful place to accommodate the athletes, providing first class amenities with the youthful feel of a university setting. With many travelling from all over Ontario, dorm style suites offered great convenience for visitors who had a kitchenette, 3-piece bath, cable, local calling, internet access and voicemail. “Much nicer than a lot of hotels I have stayed at!” said Sheila Goodrich from Simcoe County, as she left The University Residence Centre early on Wednesday morning with pompoms in hand! “Got to go and support the team,” she laughed as she made her way onto one of the awaiting buses.
For those who are not familiar with this athletic test of skills among the senior community, The Ontario Senior Games were first held in 1968 and hosted by the city of Kitchener. The tremendous response from the first event built the framework for years to come, establishing the name “Actifest” to be held bi-yearly on even-numbered years. In 1999 it was announced that a similar event in the winter months would be held, aptly named “Winterfest,” the first of these being hosted by the city of Collingwood in 2000 to great success. This year marks twenty years that senior athletes from all over Ontario have competed in Olympian style games, setting the bar for generations to come!
Many of the games at this year’s Actifest are no walk in the park, physically demanding sports such as Cycling, Nordic Walking, Swimming, Slo-Pitch, Tennis and Pickleball(a new addition this year!) were all on the card. Some others which take a lot of mental prowess and years of mastery include Lawn Bowling, Bocce, Horseshoes, Bid Eucher, Cribbage, Darts, 5-Pin Bowling and Contract Bridge. This diverse list of events shows us that the competitive spirit is still very much alive within the senior community around Ontario. Their dedication to healthy and active living sets a standard for years to come.
Newly Introduced Pickleball At The Senior Games Was A Hit!
Some highlights from this year’s event include the introduction of Pickleball. With great interest, over 70 competitors packed the Oshawa University gymnasium from all different districts of the province. A big congratulations goes out to the Durham Slo-Pitch team, who won Gold by defeating Etobicoke by a score of 7-0 in the championship game. Supporting their sponsor, http://www.PropertiesInDurham.com, it was an amazing win in their home town.
Gold Medal Winners - Durham Slo-Pitch Team supporting their sponsor http://www.PropertiesInDurham.com
Over 65 Lawn Bowlers Filled The Field
The Lawn Bowling green was quite competitive as over 65 players filled the field at Northview Community Centre. “We are very happy to host this year’s events!” Actifest volunteer, avid Lawn Bowler and Durham resident, Gord Terwillegar told us. “This field here, is the same one used by our Junior Bowls Champs, such as Dillon Jackobs from London and Kaitlin Ryan from Kitchener who has competed internationally,” he said, “the Senior Games bring increased awareness to a variety of sports, which help to get the younger generations interested and involved.” A true statement to say the least, as upcoming athletes get a chance to see just how far the roots go in these long standing events.
The closing ceremonies finished things off as athletes and their families attended a beautiful dinner put on by OSGA,(Ontario Senior Games Association) in which there were guest speakers and recognition given to those who helped make Actifest what it is today. As things wound up, the atmosphere felt similar to those days as a youngster when summer vacation was coming to an end. The look on everyone’s face showed what a great time they had, yet the disappointment that it was all over. “Went by fast,” a woman said to me as she left the auditorium, “see you in two years!”
The Proud, District 19 - Brampton Slo-Pitch Team Who Helped Bring The Senior Games To Brampton in 2012
With Actifest finished and the champions having been crowned, we look forward to 2012, when the Games will be held in beautiful Brampton, Ontario. We caught up with the Brampton District #19 Slo-Pitch team (see picture) who were instrumental in bringing the games to their hometown. “We are very excited to be hosting the Senior Games Actifest in 2012, we put a lot of work into securing our bid,” member of the team and Senior Transportation Consultant Emil Szinegh told us. “Now we will be working on the preparation,” he laughed, “it’s going to be a lot of fun!” If this year’s Actifest is any indication, this event will grow to be bigger and better with every year that passes.
A big thanks to everyone who had a part in making the 2010 Ontario Senior Games – Actifest, the best one yet! Our hats go off to the athletes who competed in this year’s events. You are all role models for the youth of today! Your involvement in the community while leading healthy, active lifestyles, has laid the footprints for younger generations to follow. The high standards set since the games began, has only continued to rise. These seniors certainly prove that records were made to be broken.
At RetirementListingService.com we are pleased to be a part of such an active and vibrant community. I Lawrence Comiskey, founder and President, actively visit different senior events as I believe in a hands on approach. There is no better way to know what is going on within your community then by actually being there and speaking to those involved. We have a special tie to the province of Ontario, as this is where our website originated and operates from. Our goal is simply to provide a platform, free of charge, where seniors from all over North America can find anything and everything needed, no matter where their travels take them. Through community sponsorship we are able to dedicate our time, into making RetirementListingService.com the best free resource for seniors online. We thank everyone who has taken the time to correspond with us. Without your positive feedback and great ideas, we would not be where we are today! Those who wish to make use of our website can do so by posting any upcoming event or activity within your area. We want to give your community an online voice for all seniors interested.
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The senior games came to a close on August 12th with a beautiful banquet and closing ceremony honoring senior athletes from across Ontario. Held in Oshawa, young spirited seniors traveled from around the province and competed in 19 different sports and events. The best teams/participants took home Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, not to mention bragging rights for the next two years!
Here are some of the winners of this years 2010 Senior Games – Actifest
5 Pin Bowling – Men’s Singles
1st) Merrill Gooderham
2nd) David Taylor
3rd) Derek Chapman
5 Pin Bowling – Women’s Singles
1st) Brenda Holway
2nd) Mary Ellen Blackmore
3rd) Doris Jarrett
5 Pin Bowling – Open
1st) District 12 – Toronto
2nd) District 29 – Lanark
3rd) District 14 – Kawartha
Bid Euchre
1st) District 33 – District de l’Est
2nd) District 19 – Peel Region
3rd) District 31 – Franco-Nord Ontarien
Bocce
1st) District 13 – Durham
2nd) District 23 – Grand Erie
3rd) District 10A – Kingston
Carpet Bowling
1st) Carroll Williams and Leverne Newman
2nd) Duncan Smith and Denis Skipper
3rd) Fred and Renate Krieger
Cycling – Distance 10 km
1st) George Shepperdley
2nd) Joachim(Kim) Dennig
3rd) Pauline Smith
Horseshoes – Woman
1st) Marie Hartman and Janis Turenne – District 26
2nd) Helen Claxton and Bety Love – District 30
3rd) Jane Smith and Freda Somerton – North Lanark
Horseshoes – Men’s
1st) Robert Laing and James Logue – Kawartha
2nd) Sam Karagiozov and Bill Pringle – District 10A
3rd) Richard Dingman and Jack Jackson – District 11
Slo Pitch
Gold Medal – Durham Regions http://www.PropertiesInDurham.com CONGRATS!(see pic below)
Silver Medal – Etobicokes Tim Hortons
Bronze Medal – Simcoe County`s Comco Kegmasters
For Walking Results
CLICK HERE
For Pickleball Results
CLICK HERE
With so many different events and seniors activities going on at the same time we have a lot to sift through. We will be updating this list in the coming days and adding more. We are very sorry if you event is not listed here, it will be soon.
From everyone at RetirementListingService.ca congratulations to all of the participants who attended the 2010 Senior Games – Actifest .
2010 Senior Games - Actifest
Oshawa, Ontario was quite lively today, with the beginning of the provincial Senior Games Actifest. Over 1200 participants traveled to this beautiful suburb of Toronto from across the province to compete in an array of 18 different sports and senior activities. Athletes participating in the games have qualified as senior champions in their local district, which allows them the chance to test their skills against other champions from across Ontario.
The excitement could be seen on the faces of everyone arriving at the main building of Oshawa University as the registration area began to fill up with eager participants and spectators. The growing line of senior citizens waiting their turn to register, had a youthful feel as seniors were laughing and joking with one another about the upcoming winners. One thing is for sure, the competitive spirit is still alive and kicking in this group.
- The Registration Line Grows As Eager Seniors Pill In From Across Ontario
The next few days will be exciting with a long list of great events to attend. Commencing with the first round of golf beginning at approximately 8am tomorrow,(August 11th) the list of activities is a long one. Events which are sure to draw a lot of spectators are Slo-Pitch, Horseshoes, Darts, 5-Pin Bowling and Cribbage as these are definite favourites among the seniors.
Make sure you get out and support our active senior community, to find out more about times and schedules visit RetirementListingService.ca and check the events calendar for times and locations.
Check out our blog for the latest information and news regarding the Actifest over the next few days.
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On behalf of everyone at RetirementListingService.com we wish great success to all of the 40 districts and over 1200 participants in this years Senior Games. You are all winners already by incorporating healthy and active living into your lifestyle.
I was looking through YouTube today for different exercises and activities which seniors can do. Actually there was quite a few of them which were informative but not an entire workout. You see, when there is a video to accompany the entire workout, you are able to make sure that the exercise is done properly and for the required amount of time.
So I found a really good video which seniors can use to keep active and fit. Here is good one, that way anyone interested doesn’t have to search to hard.
I thought this video was a good one to start with, it is short but gives us a good idea of how to prepare for exercise.
Once you have mastered this one, you will be able to move on to more complex videos. Remember not to over exert yourself, Rome wasn’t built in one day and neither was your body. Take your time and work into this, persistance pays off, so keep it up.
So the temperatures are soaring and seniors and need to be carefull. When there are extreme heat warnings sen
iors need to make sure they stay hydrated and in shaded cool areas. In past years there have always been a few deaths which are directly related to the heat. We want to explore ways to combat this and ensure that senior citizens are taken care of when these types of days arise.
Why is the heat bad? Well, everyone knows that when subjected to high temperatures people tend to have less energy. The reason for this is discomfort, dehydration and loss of appetite, these things affect the population as a whole. Seniors have even more to contend with! Ailments of the body often tend to rear their ugly heads when the heat pours on. Things such as arthritis become worse and people with decreased mobility can be left almost immobilized. Making sure that senior citizens are kept cool and in the shade is very important!
For starters, anyone who resides in an apartment building should be extra cautious. You see those who live on the upper floors always have to contend with the hottest conditions. heat naturally rises and the sun beats down on the roof of every building around. This combination can actually make the temperature on the top floors of any building higher than the outside temperature. We need to make sure that seniors who live in these conditions have air conditioning, fans and other means of staying cool.
Extended trips outdoors should also be limited on hot days as it is important to stay out of the sun. When planning outings in the summer it is a good idea to check the weather ahead of time in order to avoid any problems. If you must venture out of the house make sure to bring plenty of fluids and some means of shade like an umbrella.
Take a look at this video which can give you some really good tips on how to stay cool in extreme heat.
Let’s all do our part to make sure that everyone in the senior community stays safe and cool during this summer season. It doesn’t hurt to go by and check on someone every once and a while to make sure they are doing fine. I f you have an extra air conditioner by chance or some fans you’re not using, try to make sure they get to someone who needs them, it could make the difference between life and death.
This weekend was the G20 Summit which turned the downtown core of Toronto into a scary place. Starting as early as Thursday, there were a number of peaceful protests from various groups with different concerns. On Saturday however things took a different turn as some protesters began to destroy and damage store fronts along Queen St. With riot police blocking side streets in an attempt to contain this unruly group, protesters began to smash a police cruiser which was later torched in the middle of the road. (See pictures below) By the end of the day on Sunday, there were four police cars torched, Starbucks and Footlocker were completely destroyed and graffiti could be seen everywhere. The extent of the damage caused is still being evaluated today as many windows were broken and property was defaced.
Four Police Crusiers Were Torched During The G20 Protests
In total over this past weekend there were well over 600 hundred summit arrests. Prime Minister Stephan Harper was quoted as saying “It is unfortunate, but the summit attracts this element, and that has been a problem, as we know around the world.” He also went on to address the acts of vandalism and regarded them as “deplorable and comminted by a small majority of the summit protesters.”
A long time resident of Toronto and senior citizen, Sandra Noble who has resided in East York since 1957, was shocked by what was going on downtown. “Never in all my years have I seen such disregard for this city,” she said, “It was very scary to see all the destuction going on and especially in my own community.”
Many people much like her were glued to their television screens for most of Saturday and Sunday as the media coverage was non stop. The site of fully dressed riot police resembled that of a movie. Local area resident James McGallow who has lived in Toronto for 67 years said, “I expected something was going to happen, there has been trouble at these things since they started in 2008.” When asked if he was affected by this, James responded, “It wasn’t a huge deal, but I definitely stayed inside this weekend which is not normal for me, but I live off off Queen St. so I thought it best not to go outside.”
Toronto Police Making An Arrest On Queen St. During G20 Protests
The consensus around the senior community in Toronto seems to be pretty much the same for everyone, feelings of shock, sadness and confusion. Senior citizens are quite sad to see the destruction of a community which they have watched grow and evolve over the years. “Queen St. has always been a point of pride in my city,” said Joe Rogers, a sixty five year old retired road worker. “I remember paving the road in front of the Eaton Center when I was a young man,” he said with a bewildered look, “this is an awful thing to happen.” Obviously shaken up the events of this past weekend senior citizens all around Toronto were shocked that this was taking place within their city.
With the Summit over, the city is returning to normal. We begin to assess the damage that was caused and the unfortunate impact that this has had on the residents of Toronto. This city is one which has always prided itself on good food, superb entertainment and multiple tourist attractions. The complete opposite of what many residents witnessed over the past weekend.
An Uncharacteristic Scene From Downtown Toronto During G20 Summit
Hard to beleive this shot was taken downtown over the weekend.
No matter the circumstances, it is tough on a family when a relative or parent is no longer able to live independently. There are many options available to you but finding the right one which suits your needs can be difficult. One option may be to move into your house and reside with the family. When choosing this option, it is especially important to consider all of different issues that arise.
Is your home fitted with anything to assist or help decreasing mobility? Ramps? Lifts? Shower Bars?
Will this be less expensive than moving to a senior community with partial assistance?
Is there a caregiver agreement?
Everyone needs to be prepared in order to make the best decision for your family. The installation of ramps, lifts, stair chairs and elevators can be an extremely costly expense. These types of home modifications have to be properly planned and although they may not be needed presently, they will most likely be needed in the future. There are usually different types of government loans and grants which can assist families with these types of home alterations. Check with your local government to see what is available.
What about senior communities in your area, or assisted living facilities. Have you checked out the costs incorporated when entering into facilities like this. On some occasions it can be less expensive in the long run then having to modify your house which can range from a few thousand to fifty thousand dollars depending on your needs. Once again don’t forget to get in touch with your local government office or service department. They have different types of assistance for people moving into these situations including financial, transportation and senior activities.
Something often overlooked is the caregiver agreement. What is this you may ask? While in many situations and if there are multiple siblings some sort of agreement is strongly encouraged. The reason being that a verbal agreement holds no ground. if nothing is put on paper it can cause resentment and conflict within the family when someone passes away. The one who provided the care for a family member is sometimes entitled to a small amount of compensation, so make sure you have something written down if this applies to you. For the sake of family, it is recommended to openly discuss all arrangements and write them down together if possible.
As you can see there are many things to think about! Actually these are just some of the main few, there is many more. A few others could be rental claim, investment property and tax repercussions. One consideration which many don’t think about is passing away before their parent or relative. Not likely, but possible and it is good to be prepared.
Although all seniors want to remain independent for as long as possible, it is a good idea to discuss all the different avenues before the time comes. Just having a plan of action can take a load of stress off of everyone in the family.
Have A Wonderful Day Everyone!
Lawrence, Retirement Listing Service
Staying active is a sure-fire way to ward off all kinds of health ailments. Fitness becomes especially important in the senior years of life as mobility decreases. Here are some tips to help seniors stay active, which they can do in their own community.
1. A ten minute walk everyday – Going out for a quick walk everyday can be very beneficial to all types of things including circulation, cardio vascular system and increased mobility. A good idea is to start off with short walks at a moderate pace. As time goes on and your body adapts, you will gradually be able increase the intensity and duration of your walk. Another thing you can try is walking in different areas, that way you get to see new sights and other places within your community.
2. Take the stairs – Try not using the elevator once a week! Once again it can be something that you ease into, working your way up gradually as it becomes easier and easier for you to handle. Now don’t get me wrong, if you have groceries or you live on the nineteenth floor then maybe this isn’t the best option for you. Stairs provide an excellent workout for the legs and core which are two large muscle groups! So get climbing it is worth it.
3. Morning Stretches – Doing some stretching everyday is very good for increasing your flexibility. A short routine which encompasses the legs, arms, neck and shoulders can be done in under ten minutes! Doing a few different movements and holding them for ten to twenty seconds is all that is needed to start. Increasing your flexibility can make you less susceptible to injury and helps the central nervous system.
4. Light Weight Training – Lifting some light weights is a good way to strengthen your arms. In fact lifting light weights can strengthen much more than that depending on the movements that are done. Now you don’t have to run out and buy weights or anything like that. In fact there are many things around the house which you could use. Try a can of soup, lifting your arms up to the front or sides. Once again this is something which you can progress with, as the attempt is to challenge your muscles. Do not ever attempt to lift anything which is to heavy for you, that is how people get injured. Start with something easy and gradually move up!
5. Standing and Sitting – Standing and sitting is something which can be done at anytime of the day. Give it a try the next time you are at the table. Here is what you do, from a seated position, stand up flexing the legs slightly, then return to the seated position. Repeat this five times to start and if you feel good, try to do some more! Once again this comes back to the legs. The legs make up a large part of our body’s lean muscle mass and that means our circulation system also. Working your legs gets the blood flowing and is essential to any exercise plan.
These are just a few ideas on how senior citizens can stay active in the community. There are many more which can be explored as not everything is for suitable for your specific situation. Some other ideas include, jumping off the bus a stop early and walking the rest of the way. You can try different activities such as lawn bowling and other low impact sports or look around for activities in your local senior community. The list actually goes on and on. The important thing is that seniors get moving, the benefits to life are surpassed by none.
I hope everyone has an excellent day and stay active, you will be happy you did!
Set amidst beautiful scenery, it is in the vicinity of a number of lake, has an eighteen hole golf course and a ski slope right smack dab in the middle. Elliot Lake sounds like the perfect combination of sights, sounds, activities and entertainment! Located about five hours north of Toronto, this former mining town is becoming the a favourable spot for those in the senior community looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. With a population of approximately twelve thousand, Elliot Lake is set to grow as the latest development project of four hundred units are completely sold. This is not your normal condo or row housing complex though!
What type of development you ask? Well what goes on up north is much different from that of the city. With much more land and space to spread out senior communities are large-scale, incorporating all types of housing. One is able to purchase condos, townhouses and small bungalows. There are even different ownership arrangements from renting to owning some property. Many of these newly built communities will have activities and recreational facilities such as golf and squash. Another great difference is the club house or party room, which in some cases is open to the public, yet also available for members with private parties. Senior citizens have an array of options when moving into this type of facility. The new style of building a senior community sounds like an exceptionally good idea!
In my opinion, and maybe because I have always lived in a city, but these sound like resorts! I have visited many retirement homes, senior housing facilities and condominiums in various large cities. The one thing they always have in common is the fact that every dwelling, room, or apartment is pretty much identical. I didn’t even pay much attention to it until I visited a newly built senior community outside of Toronto which seemed to be a small town! To my surprise they have houses, condos, some smaller apartments and other manufactured type homes. The place was amazing to say the least!
Just Released!
Recent Press Release Draws Interest From The Senior Community – Important Read For Everyone!
http://www.prlog.org/10722098-senior-community-classifieds-aim-to-unite-seniors-online.html
Senior Community News Blog 