WEDNESDAY 1 October, was the International Day of Older Persons.

The United Nations declared the Day in 1990, and this year the theme was ‘Digital Equity for All Ages’, to affirm the need for access and meaningful participation in the digital world by older persons.

Ian Scott has been a tutor with the Coffs Seniors Computer Club for three years, helping older Coffs Coast residents with technology.

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“A major factor is being able to explain technology to older people in ways that they understand,” Mr Scott said.

He said he has searched for helpful YouTube clips, but they tend to be aimed at a younger audience.

”I’ve been fortunate to inquire into how things work all my life, but not everyone is like that.

“The way the world is going, it will be harder for older people to cope if they do not have adequate technology skills,” he said.

The 2020s are also the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, and Mr Scott, who is 74, cycles approximately 120km to 150km each week, mainly with the Dorrigo/Urunga/Bellingen Bicycle Users Group, which has five members over 80.

He said, “If you are fortunate enough to be able to do regular exercise you have a much better quality of life.”

That sentiment is echoed by Marj Henry, who for the past 15 years, has driven from Gleniffer to Coffs Harbour several mornings a week, to attend a gym.

She gets up at 3:45am to get to cycle and body pump classes.

Mrs Henry said, “Your body and mind feel 100% better when you make the effort.”

She also helps out with a senior women’s group in Bellingen, every Tuesday from 9am until 11:30am, behind the neighbourhood centre.

Mrs Henry said that it is important to help older people stay physically connected and that more locals should join in.

Another factor that research shows facilitate healthy aging is creativity, and George Gardiner, who is 81, agrees.

Mr Gardiner has been a carpenter all his life and continues to make things from recycled materials.

He moved to Coffs Harbour 51 years ago and has participated in spearfishing, skin diving, karate, roller skating and ballroom dancing (which he taught for 30 years).

He also built a roller skating rink at Bonville.

Mr Gardiner makes shelves, tables, garden ornaments and other things from recycled materials – he has made more than 300 dog kennels, and turned 33 old wheelbarrows into garden features.

Mr Scott, Mrs Henry and Mr Gardiner are amongst the many older people on the Coffs Coast who continue to nurture their own minds and bodies and make a continuing contribution to their community.

By Andrew VIVIAN