Community Articles (listed by posting date)
General News · 23rd March 2026
M. Grant
Healthy Communities Series: Swimming & Aquatic Exercise for Adults & Seniors
We’ve explored the benefits of exercise for adults and seniors in the past, including accessible activities for limited mobility and disability, so for this article we’re going to dive into the particular physical and mental benefits of swimming and aquatic exercise!
Better At Homes will be providing free vehicle ferry tickets to seniors who are interested in gathering a group to travel to Campbell River to make use of the community pool aquatic fitness programs + chair yoga. Full details are listed at the end of this article.
In addition to being one of the more accessible exercise options for aging bodies and minds, swimming offers adults and seniors a plethora of health benefits.
Low Impact:
As we age, our joints and muscles become more susceptible to movement and the impact of gravity. High impact exercise that utilizes the joints to their full degree can present more risk as we get older, so finding exercise options that reduce the stress of impact is important, and swimming and other aquatic exercises offer a lower impact workout option with comparable or even better results than higher impact activities such as running, HIIT workouts or climbing stairs.
Nervous System and Brain Health Support:
The benefits of immersing in water might be obvious, but we might take for granted how attune our bodies and minds are being in the water, and how doing so can help to activate our parasympathetic nervous system, offering an effective way to reduce chronic stress. When our nervous system knows how to respond appropriately, our brain’s (and really, all systems of our bodies) ability to focus improves, as does memory retention and overall cognitive function. Exercise also increases blood flow to the brain, increasing the potential for neural regeneration. Folks navigating head trauma and TBI (traumatic brain injury) may find particular benefit from the more gentle approach of swimming and aquatic exercise.
Increases Range of Motion, Flexibility and Reduces Risk of Falls:
Water activities can help to loosen and strengthen muscles, and are particularly helpful for folks managing arthritis and other aches and pains associated with aging. Water buoyancy is attributed to allowing the body to move more easily, which can increase overall flexibility. Swimming and water exercise can also help to improve balance, a growing concern as we age, preventing accidental falls and reducing the risk of breaking bones and tearing ligaments.
Swimming is an effective, fun and mindful activity that can help to maintain and increase overall physical, mental and spiritual health.
It’s important to consider safety and harm reduction when swimming as a senior and older adult by using water aids including flotation devices like boogie boards and life jackets, as well as guard rails while getting in and out of the pool. You can also connect with local instructors to support you to learn how to swim, or to increase your current swimming aptitude. Not everyone is comfortable in the water, but with a little courage and support from a trained professional, you can titrate your experience to build a routine that works for you.
Details On How To Get Your Free Ferry Tickets //
The Better At Home program will be providing free vehicle ferry tickets to seniors who are interested in gathering a small group (3-4) to carpool and travel to Campbell River to make use of the community pool aquatic fitness programs, swim laps or join the chair yoga. Call your friends & neighbours and go to town together. Combine it with other errands and make a day of it.
For the months of April to June, we are offering Seniors a free vehicle ferry trip to town from Monday through Thursdays, to take advantage of the community pool for a swim, chair yoga classes or aqua fitness classes. The Gorge Harbour Marina is generously opening their pool again in the summer months for the seniors aqua fitness but until that time comes, we encourage you to take advantage of this offering! Contact Ester at betterathomecortesgmail.com or call her at 250-204-2116
Strathcona Gardens Recreation Centre Program Information //
Pool Schedule & Fees: https://www.strathconagardens.com/pools/schedules-fees/
Shallow Water Fitness Program Info & Registration: https://www.strathconagardens.com/all-programs/fitness-and-wellness-programs/shallow-water-fitness/
Deep Water Fitness Program & Registration: https://www.strathconagardens.com/all-programs/fitness-and-wellness-programs/deep-water-fitness/
Aquatic Arthritis Program Info & Registration: https://www.strathconagardens.com/all-programs/fitness-and-wellness-programs/aquatic-arthritis/
Specialty Fitness Info & Registration (follow the “Mind & Body tab for Chair Yoga and F.A.M.E programming) https://www.strathconagardens.com/all-programs/fitness-and-wellness-programs/specialty/
More Information about F.A.M.E:
"The Fitness and Mobility Exercise (FAME) is an evidence-based group program, typically delivered by one trained instructor for up to five participants, developed for people living with stroke and other neurological conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease) to support recovery and long-term management. FAME has been shown to improve mobility, cardiovascular fitness, balance, cognitive function and muscle strength, and reduce falls. It uses principles of high repetitions and moderate intensity to drive neuroplasticity and improve function. FAME is offered in local community centres twice a week and led by trained exercise professionals with the knowledge and skills to supervise exercise sessions for people living with neurological conditions. Family, friends and caregivers are invited to attend to help assist with the program.
https://strathconard.perfectmind.com/23220/Clients/BookMe4LandingPages/CoursesLandingPage?widgetId=464662af-5b91-4dc3-83bf-efa55fdcd6e4&singleCalendarWidget=True&redirectedFromEmbededMode=True&courseId=06e23453-e994-4c9e-926e-6040f72f1823
We’ve explored the benefits of exercise for adults and seniors in the past, including accessible activities for limited mobility and disability, so for this article we’re going to dive into the particular physical and mental benefits of swimming and aquatic exercise!
Better At Homes will be providing free vehicle ferry tickets to seniors who are interested in gathering a group to travel to Campbell River to make use of the community pool aquatic fitness programs + chair yoga. Full details are listed at the end of this article.
In addition to being one of the more accessible exercise options for aging bodies and minds, swimming offers adults and seniors a plethora of health benefits.
Low Impact:
As we age, our joints and muscles become more susceptible to movement and the impact of gravity. High impact exercise that utilizes the joints to their full degree can present more risk as we get older, so finding exercise options that reduce the stress of impact is important, and swimming and other aquatic exercises offer a lower impact workout option with comparable or even better results than higher impact activities such as running, HIIT workouts or climbing stairs.
Nervous System and Brain Health Support:
The benefits of immersing in water might be obvious, but we might take for granted how attune our bodies and minds are being in the water, and how doing so can help to activate our parasympathetic nervous system, offering an effective way to reduce chronic stress. When our nervous system knows how to respond appropriately, our brain’s (and really, all systems of our bodies) ability to focus improves, as does memory retention and overall cognitive function. Exercise also increases blood flow to the brain, increasing the potential for neural regeneration. Folks navigating head trauma and TBI (traumatic brain injury) may find particular benefit from the more gentle approach of swimming and aquatic exercise.
Increases Range of Motion, Flexibility and Reduces Risk of Falls:
Water activities can help to loosen and strengthen muscles, and are particularly helpful for folks managing arthritis and other aches and pains associated with aging. Water buoyancy is attributed to allowing the body to move more easily, which can increase overall flexibility. Swimming and water exercise can also help to improve balance, a growing concern as we age, preventing accidental falls and reducing the risk of breaking bones and tearing ligaments.
Swimming is an effective, fun and mindful activity that can help to maintain and increase overall physical, mental and spiritual health.
It’s important to consider safety and harm reduction when swimming as a senior and older adult by using water aids including flotation devices like boogie boards and life jackets, as well as guard rails while getting in and out of the pool. You can also connect with local instructors to support you to learn how to swim, or to increase your current swimming aptitude. Not everyone is comfortable in the water, but with a little courage and support from a trained professional, you can titrate your experience to build a routine that works for you.
Details On How To Get Your Free Ferry Tickets //
The Better At Home program will be providing free vehicle ferry tickets to seniors who are interested in gathering a small group (3-4) to carpool and travel to Campbell River to make use of the community pool aquatic fitness programs, swim laps or join the chair yoga. Call your friends & neighbours and go to town together. Combine it with other errands and make a day of it.
For the months of April to June, we are offering Seniors a free vehicle ferry trip to town from Monday through Thursdays, to take advantage of the community pool for a swim, chair yoga classes or aqua fitness classes. The Gorge Harbour Marina is generously opening their pool again in the summer months for the seniors aqua fitness but until that time comes, we encourage you to take advantage of this offering! Contact Ester at betterathomecortesgmail.com or call her at 250-204-2116
Strathcona Gardens Recreation Centre Program Information //
Pool Schedule & Fees: https://www.strathconagardens.com/pools/schedules-fees/
Shallow Water Fitness Program Info & Registration: https://www.strathconagardens.com/all-programs/fitness-and-wellness-programs/shallow-water-fitness/
Deep Water Fitness Program & Registration: https://www.strathconagardens.com/all-programs/fitness-and-wellness-programs/deep-water-fitness/
Aquatic Arthritis Program Info & Registration: https://www.strathconagardens.com/all-programs/fitness-and-wellness-programs/aquatic-arthritis/
Specialty Fitness Info & Registration (follow the “Mind & Body tab for Chair Yoga and F.A.M.E programming) https://www.strathconagardens.com/all-programs/fitness-and-wellness-programs/specialty/
More Information about F.A.M.E:
"The Fitness and Mobility Exercise (FAME) is an evidence-based group program, typically delivered by one trained instructor for up to five participants, developed for people living with stroke and other neurological conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease) to support recovery and long-term management. FAME has been shown to improve mobility, cardiovascular fitness, balance, cognitive function and muscle strength, and reduce falls. It uses principles of high repetitions and moderate intensity to drive neuroplasticity and improve function. FAME is offered in local community centres twice a week and led by trained exercise professionals with the knowledge and skills to supervise exercise sessions for people living with neurological conditions. Family, friends and caregivers are invited to attend to help assist with the program.
https://strathconard.perfectmind.com/23220/Clients/BookMe4LandingPages/CoursesLandingPage?widgetId=464662af-5b91-4dc3-83bf-efa55fdcd6e4&singleCalendarWidget=True&redirectedFromEmbededMode=True&courseId=06e23453-e994-4c9e-926e-6040f72f1823
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