Confederation Centre held a 90s tea party for its 90-plus members on Oct. 3.
There were 34 seniors in attendance, five of whom were men. The oldest of the bunch was 97.
Lulu Chavez, the centre’s wellness program coordinator, said this was an inaugural event for the club, which has about 60 members over 90 and close to 2,000 members in total.
“We’re realizing (our seniors) are living longer,” she told the NOW. “We had tea and cookies. It was amazing.”
Chavez said the party gave people an opportunity to dress up and catch up with old friends.
“They talked about the places where they used to be, where they grew up. Some said, ‘We were neighbours and it’s been 30 years since the last time I saw her.’
“There was one (member) who was so excited about wearing her dress again, and even her little high heels. She was kind of showing off. I said, ‘Look at you, how beautiful you are.’ It was so nice to see that,” Chavez said.
When it comes to wellness and maintaining an active lifestyle, Chavez noted the easiest activity for seniors to do is walk. Even if a walker is needed, it’s good to get between five and 15 minutes a day.
“Go around your kitchen. It’s important to maintain each little thing,” she said, adding throwing in a couple of squats or wall push-ups help as well.
To be a part of Confederation Centre’s 55+ club, there is an $18.10 yearly fee for single-centre use and a $43.50 yearly fee for anyone interested in using the other centres in Burnaby. Citizens 90 years and up can contact their local centre and inquire about a lifetime membership.
Confederation Centre is home to a seniors’ lounge, a strength-training room, an activity room, a computer room, a banquet hall and an arts and crafts room. There’s also a coffee bar and a lunch program that runs Monday to Friday. Lunch tickets are $8 and include a main course, dessert and coffee or tea.
For Chavez, it’s about creating a supportive environment.
“Many of them have lost their spouses. This is an opportunity to come to your other family. We have become family with our people,” she said.
The building is located at 4585 Albert St. It’s open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon till 4 p.m. For more information, call 604-294-1936.
