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As population ages, City of Terrace brings back healthy lifestyle program for seniors

The Choose to Move program will offer coaching and peer support
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The Choose to Move program is offered at 28 different locations throughout the province for free to help seniors live a healthier, more active lifestyle. (Choose to Move Facebook Photo)

The City of Terrace will be running a six-month program to help local seniors get into shape.

The Choose to Move program is structured as a peer-supported group with individual coaching to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

“It’s not a fitness class, you meet every couple of weeks… with some options for active lifestyles and active opportunities in town throughout the time, it’s really a chance to meet other like-minded people that want to get active but don’t necessarily have the means or the ability to,” says Tyler Clarke, program supervisor for the City of Terrace.

“And the one-on-one coaching is kind of helping each other stay accountable, really pushing everyone to stay active and get engaged.”

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Clarke says many seniors in Terrace are choosing to stay in the area and need to have outlets that keep them moving. Although the city does offer recreational activities at the Sportsplex, the intention of the Choose to Move program is to provide other tailored suggestions on how to keep fit, like going for hikes and different exercises they could do at home.

“All the studies are indicating that we do have an aging seniors population, it is trending upwards with more seniors wanting to stay closer to friends and family here as opposed to retiring down south or in warmer weather areas,” he says. “This is definitely a need in the community and we’re happy to offer it.”

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The Choose to Move program was offered in Terrace a few years ago and since then there have been many inquiries asking whether it would return, says Clarke. As a joint initiative between the province, the Active Aging Society and the BC Recreation and Parks Association, the city was finally able to make it happen.

The program is available throughout 28 different locations in the province for free.

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The information session will be held on Sept. 9, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Rick McDaniel room at the Terrace Sportsplex. The program will run until March 2020.


 


natalia@terracestandard.com

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