Get active now to stay active older

By 2036, it's expected that for the first time in Canada's history, senior citizens will outnumber children.

And while government policy makers are already fretting about how they'll manage the increased expense to care for the influx of elderly, Patti Weir thinks a great deal of preventative medicine now will go a long way towards mitigating those costs 25 years down the road.

"The goal of the government should be to keep people at home as long as possible," said Dr. Weir, an associate professor in kinesiology whose areas of research expertise includes examining the factors that contribute to successful aging. "We need to look at ways to help people change what they have within them the power to change. There's always time to improve your physical health, but the message needs to get out there earlier."

Given that June is Seniors' Month in Ontario, Weir figures it's a good time to think about ways to achieve that goal. A regular exercise regimen is one of them but despite some strides, Canadian adults are still not getting enough activity, meaning the likelihood their golden years will be characterized by chronic health issues is high.

Seniors in Canada: Report Card 2006 gave Canadian seniors a C grade for their rates of physical activity and Weir cited recent data which shows 57 percent of adults between 35 and 64 years old are inactive, while 56 percent of those between 65 and 74 are inactive.

With the highest rates of inactivity found in the demographic that will be considered senior citizens by 2036-when their population is expected to top 10 million-more effort needs to be made now in promoting increased physical activity to prevent problems like diabetes, heart and respiratory disease, said Weir.

"We really need to start targeting adults in general," she said.

The theme for Seniors' Month this year is Coming of Age and events will be held across the province to recognize the contributions seniors every day to their communities. Events will be held June 3 at Centres for Seniors Windsor, 635 McEwan Avenue and at 1150 Edward Street.