Ontario Helping Seniors Stay Healthy, Active and Connected at Brock University

October 25, 2023

St. Catharines – Brock University is enhancing its exercise programming for older adults and offering subsidized community memberships with provincial support from a Seniors Community Grant and the ongoing support of TD Bank Group.

The Brock Functional Inclusive Training (Bfit) Centre aims to improve the health and quality of life of older adults, cardiac patients and individuals living with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, amputations and Parkinson’s disease.

Brock University received $24,982 in support through a Seniors Community Grant in June, expanding access to the SeniorFit classes to more local seniors in Niagara. The provincial funds are being used to expand online exercise programming by purchasing livestreaming equipment and employing ten new instructors to lead virtual classes for seniors.

“Seniors Community Grants help seniors stay safe, fit, active, healthy and socially connected in their community and close to home,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“I applaud Brock University for expanding SeniorFit programming in Niagara and supporting older adults across our region.”

“Brock University’s SeniorFit classes are important for local seniors,” said Hon. Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.

“Our government is proud to invest in this project to meet the needs of seniors, provide the supports seniors need and deserve that also help to battle social isolation.”

The expansion of the program is expected to start this month and will include a variety of classes, such as yoga, strength and cardio circuits, core and balance, and stretch and mobility.

Many of the SeniorFit instructors are students enrolled in kinesiology, health sciences and physical education programs at Brock University and have a background in human anatomy and physiology.

“Interactive, supervised group exercise classes and high-quality instructors differentiate SeniorFit classes from recorded videos offered online,” said Mackenzie Regnerus, Bfit Coordinator at Brock University.

“Instructors are trained to be inclusive of mobility and health requirements or limitations and to modify and adapt exercise programs to suit the needs and health of older adults, including higher blood pressure, diabetes, joint replacement, arthritis, osteoporosis and knee, shoulder and hip injuries.”

Since 2018, Ontario has invested over $22 million dollars in over 1,240 Seniors Community Grant projects across the province.