The dulcet tones and rhythm of Johnny Cash singing “I Walk the Line” ring throughout the TAPS centre as a group of seniors in our Living Well Program demonstrate that there is more than one way to line dance. Open to all levels of mobility, shaky legs might be replaced with moving arms for those in chairs and chair backs offer support for more lively steppers to maintain balance. Stretching, relaxing and laughter reinforce what we hear from folks noticing what a difference it makes to ‘keep moving’ however one is able to.
As well as our regular programming, this Living Well Program is funded by a United Way grant and is open to others in the community. For more information, see our ad in this issue for the upcoming “Memory Works” sessions starting Sept.6th. Based on the popularity of a previous program “Moving Along Together”, this is a 6-week program with weekly memory workshops at TAPS, and fun workouts with Tia Wayling at the Rec Centre.
At TAPS it takes two full-time and two part-time staff plus a summer student to offer programming five days a week including a lunch meal, community activities and also to be flexible to alter plans when needed to assist participants from our 60 plus seniors. In addition we have 13 active and 12 auxiliary volunteers who help in programming and fundraising activities. The frequent thanks we give to our volunteers are barely enough to acknowledge the value of their contribution to our seniors. Without their assistance the program would be very different for the staff and for the seniors who enjoy their different personalities, resources and skills. Despite what sounds like a large number of volunteers however, our need for more volunteer involvement for the program has increased with our changing demographics.
We are planning to host a volunteer orientation later in September. In the meantime, we have spaces for anyone wishing to check out what volunteering for TAPS means. As we have more men enrolling in the program than in the past, we are reaching out for male volunteers as well as women. Give us a call. 250-428-5585.
Quote of the month: “Coming to TAPS has saved my life.”
