THUNDER BAY - At more than a century old a Canadian institution is still finding new ways to help in health care.
The Victorian Order of Nurses celebrated its 117th birthday this week by highlighting a new exercise program that's already helped 800 people across Northwestern Ontario. With this birthday's theme being This is what independence looks like! the program helps seniors keep their balance and strength, preventing falls and helping them stay active in their communities.
"And keep them in their homes," VON Canada's Northwestern Ontario executive director Joan Wekner said.
Seniors want to stay in their homes. Programs offered by VON not only make that happen, but it also helps reduce costly hospital visits and longterm care home stays. VON Canada homecaer vice-president Sharon Goodwin said that helps keep the cost of health care down.
"The more we prevent illness and injury the better off we all are in society," she said.
As for the VON's birthday, Goodwin said she's proud of the organization's work over the past 117 years.
"We're a Canadian institution and we're really one of a kind," she said.
