Cornwall Ontario — Seniors in the City of Cornwall and local area will soon have new opportunities to participate in a health promotion program thanks to funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).

Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors).

“Our government recognizes the diversity of skills, knowledge and experience that seniors contribute to our society and the economy,” said MP Lauzon. “Through initiatives such as the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are helping to ensure that seniors maintain a high quality of life and continue as active, participating members of their communities.”

The Seaway Valley Community Health Centre will receive $6,000 for its Move n’ Mingle Group program. In Ontario, 1 in 3 adults between 65 and 80 falls each year. 1 in 2 individuals over the age of 80 falls each year. The Move ‘n Mingle Group is an eight-week program for older adults to increase their awareness of personal and environmental fall risks, while encouraging fun and group interaction. The program also features weekly exercise instruction to help older adults maintain physical fitness.

The goal of The Move ‘n Mingle Group is to combine education and exercise in a social setting to decrease the likelihood that an older individual will experience a fall.

“We are delighted to receive the federal funding as we know the Move ‘n Mingle falls prevention and exercise program will help prevent falls and improve overall health and wellness of seniors, ” said Debbie St John-de Wit, Executive Director of the Seaway Valley CHC. “The added benefit is, of course, socialization.”

Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded more than 12,200 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. This year, the Government of Canada will provide more than $33 million in funding for approximately 1,750 community projects.