The second annual Older Adult Men's Conference is occurring next weekend (February 3) providing an opportunity for men ages 55+ headed into retirement to learn about resources, services, programs, and what to expect as they transition throughout the years.

In 2017, over fifty-five men attended the one day conference which started a dialogue on how men can look after themselves both on a physical and emotional level as they age.

Jack Blair, Conference Chair and Emcee of the event, shares they have tweaked some of the presentations and information they will be sharing after listening to last year's feedback. "We got great feedback on it and some ideas on what not to bother having, so we adapted to that. I think this year will be really good. We tried very hard this year to make it different from last year so we could attract back people that were there last year as well as new people."

The goal, says Blair, is for attendees to walk with an understanding of what is available within and outside the Cochrane area. "So many just don't know. The people who are going to talk are pretty good experts in their area."

The conference agenda includes talks on stress and anxiety, medical concerns about physical health, food and eating habits, resources to tap into, information on different types of dementia, and how to live a purposeful second half of life.

Blair shares this is a community event and they are not providing pre-retirement information, pitching any sales or giving financial advice, but instead focusing on making men aware of where they can reach out if they need assistance and that it is just okay to ask...period.

Some presenters will focus on how men can find their purpose if headed into or are newly retired. Blair, knows many men feel challenged by the transition and feels discussion around this topic will be very beneficial. "We know the people that show up at a coffee shop and meet some guys for two hours in the morning and then go home and sit in front of the tv all afternoon they have nothing going on in their lives. I just met a chap who has been in retirement for 6 months and he is going off the deep end in challenges. It's different when you are in the workplace and your boss gives you a job, you go do the job, they gave you one you were good at so you get the attaboys and a bonus, and then guess what the next day he gives you another job and away you go. When you are in retirement you have to give yourself the job, you give yourself the attaboys, and you have to find the next job...and people just out of the workplace get out of that realm."

A one-hour roundtable discussion will also take place allowing men to discuss their own personal challenges, bounce ideas off one another, and perhaps connect with other community members who are in the same stage.

In the end, getting the men of our community to take care of themselves is extremely important not personally but their families as well.

The Older Adult Men's Conference will run from 9:30 am until roughly 3:30 pm at the Cochrane Legion. Tickets can be picked up at FCSS for $25 which includes lunch. They are hoping to have a fairly accurate headcount in by Friday, so if interested, let them know.