‘A good way to mingle’
Seniors Spa Day creates connection in Glace Bay
GLACE BAY — The group of 20 older women listened intently to the makeup presentation taking place at the Glace Bay Library on Jan. 14, their bare feet dangling slightly off the floor.
Some of them waved them in the air and even waggled their toes as while they waited for the freshly applied nail polish to dry.
The women were enjoying a free Seniors Spa Day at the library, the fourth of a 15-event program being put on by the Cape Breton Regional Library at various locations.
Funded by a grant provided by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors program, Seniors Spa Day included a do-it-yourself pedicure lesson, the makeup talk and lots of conversation.
"I'm interested in this sort of thing," said Diane MacLean of Glace Bay, who had never been to a library program before. "I thought it would be nice to come in, be with other people and see what they have in (makeup) products."
The spa day was the third program in the series that Shirley Budden has particpated in, after hearing about the New Horizons for Seniors in the Library program from her daughter, who works at the Glace Bay location.
"I thought it would be a very relaxing day for us women," said Budden who is planning to attend a number of other upcoming events including the Valentine's Day social and painting programs.
"That's exactly what I thought," added Rose MacKinnon who took part in the previous week's event — emergency preparedness. "And it's a good way to mingle."
The objective of the the federal government's New Horizons for Seniors program is to support initiatives that help older people age well and stay healthy. Dalhousie University School of Nursing assistant professor Dr. Elaine Moody, who has done extensive research in gerentology and community engagement with older people, said programs like the one being held at the Glace Bay and New Waterford libraries can help people to just that.
"I think social isolation and loneliness are key factors affecting older people and (seniors programming in general) has been shown to help prevent isolation and loneliness," said Moody, a St. Francis Xavier University graduate who received her doctorate of nursing from the University of British Columbia.
"This has been shown to help improve health in older people, physical and mental health."
Getting together with other seniors isn't the only socialization that can be beneficial. Moody said having older people in a place like the library, where they will be with younger people and families, can also help improve health and wellness in seniors.
"There is literature stating the benefits of intergenerational connection," she said, noting the benefits go beyond senior health.
"Ageism is a problem in our society. I think having older people in a place like a library
. . . can combat some of these stereotypes and show younger people seniors aren't intro-vertive, withdrawn, not willing to be involved in the community.
It shows older people out, getting involved."
Moody said another benefit to programs like this is they give seniors an opportunity to get together and have fun — something the spa day event at the Glace Bay Library seemed to achieve for the participants and the program co-ordinator, Karen Muise.
"I just love my job," said Muise who was hired on contract to oversee the New Horizons for Seniors Living Well in the Library program.
"It's about taking care of yourself today. It's aging well. It's being comfortable in your skin, being happy and confident with who you are. Because they deserve it."