Health and Wellness Fair for Older Adults
Regina Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Regina Public Library’s Health and Wellness Fair for Older Adults, held on March 23, 2024, was an innovative initiative integrating wellness services into community programming. It addressed the need for more health-focused events for older adults, by offering activities including Tai Chi, Zumba, Yoga, and Forever in Motion, alongside health services such as hearing testing and massages. The event was a collaborative effort with local health and community organizations, including Age Friendly Regina, Automobility Medical, Canadian Club of Regina, Connect Hearing, Dog Walking Society, Eastview Rotary Club Regina, Nexus Vision Centre, RPL Outreach Services, Regina Foot Clinic, Regina Region Local Immigration Partnership, Sask Cancer Agency, REACH Regina, and Nurse Next Door, with support from Saskatchewan Blue Cross. Aimed at promoting active aging and community well-being through accessible health education and engagement, it will be offered again in 2025 due to its success.
Challenge/Opportunity
Older adults often face limited access to health education and activities tailored to their needs, leading to social isolation and declining health. Our Health Fair addressed these challenges by providing a holistic wellness experience in a convenient, central location. By partnering with health providers, community organizations and securing sponsorship, the library expanded its role beyond traditional services to empower older adults with resources to preventive care and healthy living. This initiative not only enhanced quality of life but also fostered community cohesion and support.
Key Elements of Innovation
The Heath and Wellness Fair for Older Adults demonstrated innovation through several key elements. First, it featured a collaborative approach, integrating efforts from various library departments and local health and community organizations to ensure a well-rounded and supported program. The fair offered a diverse range of activities, addressing the physical, mental and social needs of older adults with fitness sessions, essential health services, and comprehensive community information. A nutritious lunch demonstrated healthy eating principles, promoting overall well-being and encouraging full participation. The strategic scheduling of interactive sessions and health screenings was designed to maximize engagement throughout the day. By seamlessly integrating services with local partners, the event set a new standard for proactive wellness programming, showcasing a successful model for community health initiatives.
Achieved Outcomes
The Health Fair engaged over 150 older adults while raising awareness of health resources and active aging benefits. Data metrics showed high satisfaction and confirmed the event’s innovative nature. Attendees’ comments included: "Wonderful event to engage the community," "Thank you for bringing together all these presenters & displays. There was a lot of useful info. Looking forward to future events," and "Thank you for all your hard work to organize and deliver this event! I know it wasn’t easy. And thank you for the yummy and healthy lunch!" A partner noted: "Thank you for having Connect Hearing attend. We appreciate you thinking of us and would love to join future programs like this. Very strong turnout! Great job to the RPL team." The fair built new partnerships, enhanced community health outreach, establishing the library as an innovative wellness hub, and underscored its goal to promote health, wellness, safety, and connection among older adults in Regina.
