'You have to look after your own health': Yukon seniors encouraged to keep active at Whitehorse event

Watercolour painting, pilates and pickleball were just a few of the activities offered to seniors in Whitehorse on Saturdayto mark the United Nations' International Day of Older Persons.

Resilience in a changing world was this year's theme for the day and alsothe focus of drop-in sessions organized by the City of Whitehorse and Yukon's ElderActive Recreation Association, said ElderActive'sprogram co-ordinatorDavid Jennings.

"Coming out of a pandemic, people have lost that activity they haven't lost the drive, it's just getting the activity going again," said Jennings.

Seniors had the chance toattendsessions on nutritionande-bikesor playshuffleboardand take drumming lessons.

"It gives the opportunity for seniorswho've never tried [an activity] to give it a try to see if they like it," said Jennings.

Jennings said staying active, both physically and socially, is extremely important as people age. That's why the day's goal was to foster community andalso show Whitehorse residents variousresourcesto keep moving and stay connected.

Yukon's aging population

Over the past decade, the Yukon has experienced a huge growth in the sectorof the population that's 60and older.

A Yukon Bureau of Statisticsreport comparing March2012 to thesame month in2022showed an increase of 91.4 per cent (973 people) in the75-and-older age group. The 60- to 74-year-old groupincreased by 64.9 per (2,913 people).

That compares to a17.3 per cent increase in the number ofchildren up to the ageof 14 and a three per centincrease in the15- to 29-year-old age group.

"We need more active seniors in the community," said Sandra Lansfield, who attended Saturday's event.

"I think because of the way our health care is right now, where it's hard for people to find doctors, you have to look after your own health and be proactive," she said.

Although Lansfieldsaid she has not personally struggled to find a family doctor in the Yukon, she knows people who have either lost their doctor or have been waiting for years.

She said one way to keep healthy is to keep active.

"Even if it hurts a little bit, keep moving," she said.

To mark the day, Tai Chi Yukon also offered a free tai chi sessionfor seniors atTakhini Elementary School.