Senior Active Living Club
The seeds for the Active Living Club began in the early nineties, when the City of Ottawa’s Senior
Adult Division was looking for a way to offer consistence outdoor programming for the Senior
Adult population in the City of Ottawa.
Over the years the Division had offered cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and cycling, but due
budget and staffing limitations programs were not offered on an annual basis as programs
scheduled in facilities were.
The program budget had to be cost recovery, with registration being the main source of
revenues. Usually when the Division stared a new program, revenues from programs that had
surpassed the forecasted revenues offset costs of new programs.
Unfortunately for winter programs this practice couldn’t apply. The City’s finical year started in
January, so there were no available dollars to off set the costs of winter programs.
Staffing the programs was also proved to be a major stumbling block. To hire a part time staff
person their wages and mileage costs, as staff would require a vehicle to work the program,
would have to be added to the cost of the program. It was felt that adding these two additional
costs would deter individuals the program before it got off the ground.
To avoid paying a part time staff, full time staff was recruited to lead the outings, as their
salaries would not have to be calculated into the program costs. Unfortunately staff availability
was not always consistent due to other programming commitments.
Then there was an informal discussion between the Division Manager and a field staff about
establishing a program that would include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and cycling.
An individual could either pay an annual registration fee, which would entitle them to participant
in all the activities. Or pay an activity fee, which would register them for one of the activities. An
example of this would be, if the individual were only interested in cycling, then they would only
have to pay for cycling. Or course when establishing the fee, the annual registration fee would
be so desirable that an individual would choose the annual fee instead of an activity fee.
This would:
1.
2.
Provide the program up front dollars for the activities in January
Add consistence to the activities. Individuals would know that each year there would
snowshoeing, cycling etc.
3. An individual would more than likely participant in more than one activity if they were
getting a package
It was decided to prepare a very tight program proposal that would be sent to the Legal
Department, for review. There was concern about the visibility. Although the Division had offered
all the programs mentioned before, it was eight weeks here and eight weeks there, no one really
noticed that we were programming high-risk programs for what was seen by the Department as
a fragile population.
The Legal Department supported the program, but some recommendations were made and it
was strongly suggested that be incorporated in the program.
Recommendations:
1. That the program be promoted as a Club. By using the word Club more ownership would
be placed on the participant. In regards to the risk factor involved in the activities that
they were registering for. Where as the word program puts all the ownership on the city.
2. That the program be staff by a full time staff
3. That outings be cancelled by the City when the weather or trail conditions would add risk
to the participants.
The recommendations incorporated into were the program plan, and in January 2002 the Senior
Activity Living Club was launched.
Even mindful that if a senior had a health crisis, injury, or got lost, the program would be
cancelled, strict guidelines from the every start.
Individuals could not register with out a completed a PAR-Q form. If health issues were identified
on the PAR-Q form or on the registration form, they would have to present staff with a written
letter from their Doctor giving the participant approval to participate in the Club.
Individuals were given photocopies of the trail before outings started, as well as trail guidelines
that were to be followed. Such as if they needed to answer the call of nature they were to leave
something on the trail, so that the person at the end of the line knew someone was in the
bushes. This person would then wait until the person return to the trail before continuing down
the trail.
Head counts were done regularly during an outing. For the cycling program, safety vest were
purchased for the front and back of the line. Staff carried a cell phone with them, as well as a
first aid kit that contained several packages of trauabgual bandages, that could be used if splits
had to be made from items found on the trail, as well as several rescue sheet/ blankets.
The original format of the club was:
At the beginning of each month participants were given a monthly schedule, which indicated the
location for each days outing.
In January and February cross-country skiing was offered once a week. If the snow conditions
were suitable the skiing program would continue thought the month of March.
Snowshoeing ran once a week through January to March. If there wasn’t enough snow for
snowshoeing the group would winter hike.
From mid – April to the end of June two hikes were offered weekly. There was no hiking in July
and August due to the high humid.
Cycling was offered was once a week from mid-May to the end of September.
A fall hiking program ran from the beginning of September to mid-November, again twice a
week.
The Club was a success from the beginning. Seventy individuals took the annual registration fee,
which was known as a membership and another twenty-five individual registered for individual
activities. The first year did show us that there was definitely a need for two to three levels for
each activity. The range in physical capabilities amongst the part pants was too great to
continue offering each activity only once a year.
The next year we offered each activity, except for hiking, twice a week. Each activity had two
levels. Level 1 as an introductory level. Level 1 also became the departure level, we later learned.
Level 2 was an advanced level. Hiking was offered three times a week, with three different
levels. Adding the different levels encouraged a number of individuals to join who had thought
about joining the Club the year before, but didn’t because they were nervous about the physical
abilities to join.
Also during the second year two local television started weekly highlighting Senior Adults being
physically activity. The outings were regularly covered. This media coverage attracted many
individuals who had not only been physically active most of their lives, but they had never
participated in any Municipal Recreation Programs. Their participation with the Active Living Club
led many of them to register for to other City of Ottawa recreation programs.
There were major changes during the third year. Starting with a Department restructure that saw
the dissolution of the Senior Adult Division. Although the restructure had recreated three Senior
Adult Program Consultant Positions, and the Active Living Club was included in the programming
responsibility of one of the positions. The participants of the Active Living Club convinced
themselves that the Club was going to disappear, be down sides. The participants illustrated their
politic awareness much to the surprise of the Management team of the Recreation Department.
To address the participants concerns a meeting was held where 40 of the participants in
attendance. The results of this meeting were two fold.
First the Senior Management team experienced a real learning curve. The stereotype of the little
old lady who could be easily be appeased was not in attendance. They encounter highly
educated individuals. Many of who were more informed on issues than the Management team.
Needless to say for years to come staff were consistently being asked if the Active Living Club
participants were happy. Getting approve to spend the revenue equipment on items such as new
canoe also became much was easier. Plus Club representation was often asked for on
Departmental committees, or City committees when the committee mandates that dealt with
physical activity or trail (walking or cycling)
The second affect was an ownership the participants took towards the program. An advisory
committee with sub committees was established to assist the staff with the Club.
Over the course of the next ten years the following developments occurred and lessons learned:
- Two more activities were added during the summer months, canoeing and a
country walk program
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Due to geography and the limitations of cell phone service providers, cell phones don’t
always work on the trails, so walkie-talkies were purchased as the main communication
device.
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An education component was added to the program. Either with other Divisions of the
Recreation Department such as the Cross Country Ski School to offer cross-country skiing
lessons for Senior Adults, or with private club like the Rideau Canoeing Club to offer
canoeing lessons. As well information workshops began to be offered at the beginning of
each season. Such as a Winter Wear workshop is held every year before the outings start, to
ensure the participants were aware of what they should be wear to avoid hypothermia.
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Due to the high visibility of the program Companies actually came to the staff offering
financial and services in kind sponsorship. The program T-shirts are purchased annual by
Fresh Air Experience. Bushtuhka, another local outdoor equipment store, provides the staff
and program input for the seasonal workshops. Both stores also offer the participants a 10%
discount on everything they purchase. Plus the Investment Group company purchases safety
whistles for everyone in the program.
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The car polling eventual stopped. Individuals wanted to go directly home following an
outing. So a trail directory was published with direction on how to get to all the trails.
Unfortunately now if an individual doesn’t have access to a vehicle they cannot participate in
the program. This is a major problem in Centre town where many Senior Adults don’t have
cars.
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Daily photocopying and distributing of the trails was also stopped. The landlords of the
public trails started publishing excellent maps that were sold for about $3.00. Individuals
who wanted the maps purchased their own maps. Maps are purchased annually for the
staff, as new housing developments have caused changes to many of the trails.
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Due to the large number of participants and the fact that the individuals didn’t have to preregister for the daily outings, keeping everyone informed about sudden changes to the
schedule, or the cancellation of outing was all most impossible. So an Active Living Club
information telephone line was installed. Participants are encouraged to call everyday to
make sure that there are no changes to the day’s schedule
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Many of the Participants have e-mail addresses, but there are still many who don’t, so there
are four seasonal mailings a year, which includes all the program information for the next
three months. E-mails are used as reminders.
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Although the registered number of participant has never dropped below 150 in the past 7
years there is a high turn over rate. The high drop out rate has been analyzed over the
years and we have found that non-returnees usually fall into three classification:
The first classification are the newly retiree. When the individual first joins they are out
everyday.
Then one of two situations occurs. The first being the longer the individual is retired the
more involved they become in other activities and their focus changes. Usually this happens
over a course of three to four years. They go from coming out every day to twice a week,
then once every two weeks, and they stop returning.
The second situation is the individual returns to work. Most individuals return to work on a
contract and usually return to the program with in a couple of years
The second category is the care giver, often their commitments at home prevents them from
participating as much as they would like, so they don’t return. Often after their home
situation changes the return. Usually other club participants kept in touch with these
individuals, so they are often invited to the social events.
The third category are the individuals stop do not return due to health issues are the aging
process that prevent them from participating, even the level 1 activities are to strenuous for
them. Usually staff will do leisure consulting with these individuals and get them involved in
a low level or integrated fitness program, so they can remain physical active.
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Due to the high turn over rate promotion is every important. It has
been found that the traditional forms of promoting, such as Departmental guides
don’t work, as usually the potential participant does not have a history of
participating in neither municipal recreation programs, nor do they see themselves as
being involved in “SENIOR PROGRAMS”. The following means of promotion has
been found to be very success: articles in community newspapers, media P.S.A.,
and announcements in church calendars or bulletins. As well information flyers in
stores that caterer to outdoor equipment.
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Amongst the participants we have trained a group of volunteers to assist the staff
incase there is an emergency on the trails/bike path. The participants take the
City’s two day in-service training in CPR/First aid training. The City’s in-service
Trainer has developed an additional component to the training that deals with what to do
the trails. As directing someone go to the front desk to call 911 is not possible if you are
5kms into a trail. There is also a manual that the volunteers receive outlining their role. On
the outings the volunteers are divided amongst the group, so that action can be taken
quickly.
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The staffing of the program has changed in the past 5 years. With amalgamation
the Senior Program Consultant position disappeared. Although the program
remained with the staff who was responsible for it prior to amalgamation, it was impossible
for her to continue leading the daily outings. Part time staff now leading the daily outings.
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Even though the program has been running for years there are still one issue that
still has not been solved. The different physical abilities of the amongst Participants still
causes problems. Staff has to be a strong lead to make sure that a level 1 hike, doesn’t
become a level 2 hike. This is a problem with every activity.
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Mother Nature in the past few years hasn’t been to kind. During the winter we have been
experiencing lack or now snow, and freezing rain.
Or days of wind chill factors of -25. During the summer we have to deal with increasing
number of heat and smog alert. Causing a number of cancellations of outings throughout the
year.
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Strong bolds have developed amongst the participants, for severalreasons.Many have
developed friendships that extend outside the program. They attend concerts together,
travel together, and even look after each other when they are ill. The group has also
become involved in fund raising causes for diseases that have affected other participants. A
team has been established that annual participants in the City’s annual Dragon Race for
breast cancer. The group also walks in the annual Brian Disorders walk in honour of a
participant who died from Brain cancer.
Always the groups proudly wear their Active Living T-shirts.
A program that was developed to get the senior population, of the City of Ottawa, To
participant in outdoor activities in a safe environment has truly developed in ways that staff
had never had anticipated.