Living longer isn’t everything if you’re not also living well.
Just how to do that was explored on Tuesday at the Living Well Expo, hosted by Berwick By The Sea.
“The idea is to have something that would be of interest not only to our own residents, but also of interest to the general community,” according to Gary Forsgren, general manager of Berwick By The Sea. “It’s another way of giving back to the seniors of the Campbell River area.”
Forsgren says about two thirds of those who attended were not residents of Berwick By The Sea, and every session was full to capacity, so it shows they are doing something right.
“Each one of the presentations has a different target group that would be interested in it,” Forsgren says, adding that they were trying to get a broad range of topics covered over the course of the day.
Those presentations included speakers such as brain coach Gary Anaka, whose energetic presenting style both educates and entertains.
Anaka’s “Brain Wellness – The Secrets for Longevity!” presentation was the first seminar of the day at the Living Well Expo.
In it, he explained that there are certain foods and lifestyle choices that slow down brain degeneration, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and provided prevention strategies, including what he calls a “brain maintenance program.”
Other speakers throughout the day included Campbell River RCMP Cpl. Gord Hay who gave a presentation on seniors’ safety, and Murray Eddy of the Campbell River Hospice Society.
“Really, what we’re doing is educating and showing how seniors can have an active life and healthy life through their lifestyle and through the various activities they do on a day-to-day basis,” Forsgren says, adding that Berwick works very closely with the Seniors’ Centre and other organizations within the Campbell River community to establish needs within the seniors’ community and make sure they’re providing services and programs of benefit.
Having only been open for about a year, Forsgren says, they’re still feeling their way when it comes to being community members, and how best to weave themselves into the fabric of Campbell River rather than simply being an organization that operates within its borders.
“It’s about integrating ourselves within the community and becoming an active member within it,” Forsgren says. “It’s an area that we’re still exploring, but at the same time, we’re finding the reception and the interest has been really high.”
The Living Well Expo also featured an exposition of vendors and service providers set up in the 6th floor lounge, where seniors could browse and learn about products and services on offer within the community, from aromatherapy oils to hearing aids to mobility scooters and financial planners.
Forsgren says he hopes the Living Well Expo will become an annual event, and the great turnout at the first one gives him confidence in that possibility.
For information on upcoming events at Berwick By The Sea, check out their events calendar here.