Good news. Sex is safe for most heart patients!

A recent report released by the American Heart Association says if you're healthy enough to walk up two flights of stairs without chest pain or gasping for breath, then you can have a love life. 

The report also says that sex is something that doctors should discuss with all heart patients - yet few do because they're uncomfortable talking about it of they lack information.

Are you a health professional working with older adults or heart patients? We can help you build your comfort level in supporting their sexuality! Check out our upcoming workshop:

  
Supporting Sexuality with Older Adults
Designed for those working with older adults, you will increase your confidence and comfort talking with clients about sexuality. Receive practical suggestions, tips and resources to start talking about sexual health and advocating for sexual wellbeing with your older adult clients.

When:        Wed, Feb 15, 2012;  9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where:      Calgary Sexual Health Centre, #304, 301-14 St NE
Fee:           $50.00 per person, including workshop materials



To register:
Contact Valerie Barr at 403.283.5580 ext. 317 or vbarr@calgarysexualhealth.ca.


Please note:  Level 'A' Alberta Social Work Continuing Education Credits are available for attendance at these workshops via a partnership with the Calgary Counselling Centre.  General public are also welcome to attend.

Older Adults and Sexuality...Digital Stories now available on DVD

From the beginning of this work, we knew that sexuality and older adults was a topic few felt comfortable addressing.

The Seniors a GOGO project tackled this challenge by developing and performing the “Viva Vintage Monologues”, a series of stories that explore sexuality in the later years. The monologues focus on the depth of sexuality in a humorous, warm and thoughtful way.

The Seniors a GOGO digital stories
can be viewed on our Facebook page.

This led to very successful performances by the Seniors a GOGO theatre troupe at public libraries, and other venues throughout Calgary.  

Members of the Seniors a GOGO theatre troupe continue to be agency volunteers and still perform for live audiences.

The Viva Vintage Monologues were also made into digital stories to enable us to use them in future programs and training.

We are now selling a curriculum package for service providers that includes a DVD of the digital stories. We also continue to offer ongoing training to students and professionals who work with older adults.

To request a curriculum package or for information about our training options, please contact us at 403-283-5580 or visit us at http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca/.

Seniors A GOGO Too! A little older, a little wiser...

Hot off their performance at this year's Fairy Tales Film Fest, our Seniors A GOGO group is ready to take the spotlight once again! 

In celebration of Seniors Week (June 6-12), we are pleased to unveil the follow-up series to our ever-popular Seniors A GOGO digital stories.

Join us for a gala presentation of a new series of digital stories, developed by Seniors A GOGO.

     Thursday, June 9th at 2:00 pm

     Garrison Green Seniors community Theatre

     3028 Don Ethell Blvd. SW

     Wine and cheese reception to follow the show.

About Seniors A GOGO

Have you ever wondered why no one talks about sexuality after 60? Our Seniors A GOGO group of dedicated seniors has been working to provide insight into just that. This committed and tenacious group has been meeting, laughing and sharing their experiences with love, loss and sexuality to create a series of stage readings, monologues and digital stories.

 

Seniors A GOGO is a partnership of the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, The Senior's Action Group and the Foundation Lab.  We are committed to breaking down the barriers to better address the sexual health needs of Calgary's aging population.

Seniors A GOGO to perform at Fairy Tales Film Fest!

We're thrilled to announce that our Seniors A GOGO troupe will be taking the stage at this year's Fairy Tales Gay & Lesbian Film Festival!

Have you ever wondered why no one talks about sexuality after 60? Our Seniors A GOGO group of dedicated seniors has been working to provide insight into just that. This committed and tenacious group has been meeting, laughing and sharing their experiences with love, loss and sexuality to create a series of stage readings, monologues and digital stories.

Their performance at Fairy Tales will follow a screening of the documentary "GEN SILENT" which tackles the subject of GLBTQ Seniors aging alone. 

Directed by Stu Maddux, this film reveals how the generation that fought the hardest to come out is going back in to survive.

Thursday June 2, 2011

7 PM | The Plaza Theatre | PG

 

We're excited to have our Seniors take part in the Fairy Tales Film Fest this year! 

For details about the GEN SILENT film, check the Fairy Tales website at http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com/home/2011/4/19/outed-film-gen-silent-tackles-glbtq-seniors-aging-alone.html

Sexuality and Seniors

Seniors A GOGO:  providing insight into sexuality for older adults

As we get older, the question of sexuality becomes more complex.  As a result of natural physical, emotional and psychological changes, and with a lack of information on the topic, older adults often have trouble finding answers to questions regarding their changing sexuality.  While there is little information on the subject, research shows that the majority of adults between the ages of 50 and 80 are still enthusiastic about sex and intimacy.

A key component of sexuality for older adults is adapting sexual activity to reflect current life circumstances and forgetting sexual expectations from youth. It can be a time to be playful, honest, communicative, and to find the form of sexual expression which suits you best.

We have a dedicated group of seniors – our Seniors A GOGO group - who have been working to provide insight into sexuality in the later years.  This committed and tenacious group has been meeting, laughing and sharing their experiences with love, loss and sexuality to create a series of stage readings, monologues and digital stories.

You can view some of their digital stories at:

·         Our website: http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca/aging_intro.html

·         Our Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Calgary-Sexual-Health-Centre/182324198460359

Seniors A GOGO is a partnership between the Seniors Action Group, the Foundation Lab and the Calgary Sexual Health Centre.   

Our Training Centre:  development for service providers who work with older adults

The Training Centre at the Calgary Sexual Health Centre provides a number of professional development opportunities for service providers who work with older adults. Our training ensures that professionals have the skills and knowledge to integrate sexual health into their everyday work with clients.

To book a workshop for your group, or learn more about our workshops, please contact Valerie  Barr, Training Centre Manager at vbarr@calgarysexualhealth.ca.  Or visit our website at: http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca/training.html

Here are some additional websites that address older adults and sexuality issues:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/life-vie/seniors-aines-eng.php

http://www.sexualityandu.com/en/sexual-health/sex-over-fifty