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Act III 2007-02 - A Life Long Learner - Kim Hammond |
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February 2007
- By Donna E. Duke -
Act Three refers to seniors of any age who are happily engaged in activities that keep them youthful and enjoying life to the fullest. For some this is their chance to fulfill life-long dreams or ambitions.
Kim Hammond says "I lead a smorgasbord life." Vivacious and fit at age 70, she is obviously doing something right! Speaking with her, it becomes apparent that she is doing many things to age well, remain youthful and lead a joyful life.
Kim didn't take long to settle into her new home in Kelowna after moving here in April 2006. A life long learner and one who likes to have her mind stimulated; she pursued an interest in the aging process by enrolling in a Sociology course on aging at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO). She wants to know what to expect as she ages.
No stranger to hard work, Kim was brought up on a farm in Saskatchewan, the fifth of ten children, where she was taught to pursue her dreams and not let anything stand in the way of her goals. She remembers picking stones from the fields at age 4 and carrying lunch out to the threshing crew at age 5. A reader at age five and eager for education, she used to run away to school! She would be brought back home and disciplined with a spanking, but that didn't stop her from trying again the next day! When she did attend school she advanced quickly and graduated high school early.
Kim is also not a stranger to a university campus or academic work. As a single parent in Edmonton in the eighties and employed as a secretary/ bookkeeper, she was attracted to the logic of science and excelled as a student. She earned a degree in biological science from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in her thirties. Her education in transplantation, a new field, landed her employment at the University Hospital transplant lab. Still pursuing education, she worked around the constraints of her job by taking early morning courses before going to work. Eventually taking a year off from work to complete her education, she acquired a student loan and at age 50 earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta. Most people would be content to stop there but not Kim! She spent a further year as a "special student' which allowed her to take courses in any faculty. She took yoga, gymnastics, anthropology and a new course that studied brain chemicals and their effect on cognition. This lady loves a challenge.
Fitness and nutrition have also been life long interests of Kim's. For the Community Learning Service component of the course in geriatrics, she conducted a day-long workshop in fitness and dance in Peachland. Her own fitness regime includes working with weights and stretching with Yoga. Bless her; she loves working out at a gym, a habit she developed as a working single parent and student in order to deal with the stress of her life.
Seniors interested in taking credit courses at UBCO pay no tuition after age 65.
Give Your Brain a Boost
February 2007
- By Donna E. Duke -
Health and aging experts agree that in order to stay healthy and fit as we age, we must be mentally, as well as physically, active. The evidence from studies is clear - if we want to retain our mental faculties, we must exercise our minds. There are several simple things a person can do: solve crossword puzzles, play a game of cards, read a challenging book and learn something new. If you'd like to learn something new there are many options available, including the following:
University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) Attend University with no tuition fees over age 65! You can pick up a calendar at the student services centre at the north campus 3333 University Way (it's the little yellow building that says Welcome Centre) or view one online at www.ubc.ca/okanagan/calendar. Application and Registration is done online. If you need help with this process a student adviser at the campus will be happy to help you. Contact Jennifer Tatebe by phoning 250 807-8521 or e mail her at
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Society for Learning in Retirement (SLR) offers a wide variety of learning opportunities for a minimal cost. A yearly membership is $15.00 and course fees run from $7.00 to $30.00. For the winter term there are about 60 courses offered, everything from music and dance to learning a new language: Spanish, French and German are offered as well as astronomy, writing and women's studies - the variety is impressive and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Contact SLR by phone at 250 762-3989 Ext.125. visit them on site at 1434 Graham Street, Kelowna, or view their website at www.slrkelowna.ca
Water Street Senior Centre (WSSC) offers excellent computer training with 17 courses from which to choose. The cost ranges from $25.00 for 3 hours of instruction to $55.00 for 9 hours. Their computer lab has six places for students, from rank beginners who've never used a computer before, to more experienced users learning digital camera use or photo editing. Instructors go the extra mile for students and help is offered on line. Other courses are offered at WSSC as well as a variety of regularly scheduled activities. Pick up a brochure at the centre located at 1360 Water Street, Kelowna, phone Marie at 762-4108 during office hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 p.m. or visit their website at www.waterstseniors.com.
There just is no reason to be stuck at home in these cold winter months! Perk up your brain and take a course!
If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed, please contact the writer at
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