WESTLOCK — Learning how to age in place and the importance of exercise will be among the presentations delivered at the 2023 Senior’s Conference hosted by the Westlock & District Family Community Support Services (FCSS) on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
This annual event is meant to provide some education to local seniors about topics of relevance, as well as to get them out of the house and socializing while also providing them a hot meal, said Maureen Schiller, who is heading up the event.
The conference, which will be held at the Westlock Memorial Hall, begins with registration from 10 a.m. to about 10:30 a.m.
Following a short welcome address, there will then be a presentation by Jolyn Hall, the owner of Edmonton55 for the past five years.
As noted on her business website, Hall is a former registered nurse, home care case manager and management team member for a variety of senior’s housing residences. Edmonton55 was developed out of her passion to show seniors how to age well in their own home, or to make housing choices that will allow them to stay independent and connected to their community.
“She now educates people on how to age well where they live and manage housing transitions,” noted Schiller.
After a hot lunch, there will be a presentation by Jordan Walker, a personal fitness trainer who will be talking about her new exercise program called Gentle Fit, as well more generally about the necessity of exercising among the elderly.
Schiller said the conference will end at around 3 p.m. with some entertainment by stand-up comedian Sean Lecomber, who hails from Edmonton.
As noted within an online biography, Lecomber was a past writer for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, has performed at the Halifax and Winnipeg Comedy Festivals, and is a two-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee.
“It should be a good day,” Schiller said.
She said they got about 120 seniors out to last year’s conference, though prior to the COVID pandemic, attendance was around 150 people or so.
There are still some spots open for this year’s conference, though attendees must pre-register by Friday, Oct. 13 so they know how many people to serve for lunch. The cost is $10 per person.
To pre-register, they can contact the Westlock FCSS office by phone at (780) 349-5900, going down to the office at 10007-100 Avenue in person, or going online to the Town of Westlock’s website.
