RSU seeks ways to reach sedentary residents and older men in Bauska

Led by university instructor Vita Savicka, the initiative seeks to address participation gaps and discover effective ways to reach sedentary residents and older men.

The municipal consultation, initially announced in August as a co-creation workshop, drew 11 participants, predominantly active senior women who already engage in local swimming, gymnastics, and walking routines. Despite high turnout among already-active residents, discussions highlighted persistent structural hurdles for the wider community, including communication gaps between municipal authorities and older populations who lack smartphones or internet access.

Community Perspectives on Local Fitness Access

Participants at the Bauska session shared mixed feedback regarding current municipal and health offerings. Aldona Sormule, an attendee who participates in activities at the “Ābele” day center, noted a desire for more dynamic physical movement rather than stationary handcrafts. While a physiotherapist visits the center once per season, Sormule expressed a preference for dancing and singing to maintain vitality, though she remains hesitant to join formal amateur performance groups following decades of leading the “Trejupe” folklore ensemble.

Another participant, Ingrīda Liepa, praised a free group physiotherapy project organized by the Bauska hospital. However, participants noted that these complimentary group sessions are capped at 10 visits due to high demand and waiting lists, while individual consultations at the rehabilitation department cost 25 euros.

Ruta Dubinska, a retired librarian from the Mūsas settlement, described walking daily into Bauska along illuminated pedestrian paths, occasionally using walking poles. Dubinska emphasized personal responsibility in maintaining mobility, noting that she has walked the route since her school years.

Bridging the Digital and Informational Divide

A central friction point identified during the session was municipal communication. Local seniors reported that announcements published exclusively on municipal websites, social media channels, or through mobile applications often exclude residents without digital devices or internet literacy.

To mitigate this barrier, the association “Laiks jauniešiem” has scheduled smartphone and internet literacy courses titled “Active and Knowledgeable” for seniors, with classes beginning October 5 at the “Derpele” boarding home.

Artūrs Dulbe, a specialist from the municipal sports and health department, responded to feedback regarding communication channels by suggesting print notices could be expanded to cultural centers and libraries. Dulbe also highlighted upcoming regional initiatives, such as the Iecava Autumn Walking campaign running from October 1 to November 1, where registration support is available at the unified customer service center. Participants are encouraged to aim for 8,000 daily steps or utilize pedometers to track progress.

Regarding municipal pricing structures, Bauska swimming pool operators confirmed that evening weekday swimming sessions feature reduced rates for seniors, with additional discounts available for holders of the Bauska municipality resident card, which can be issued in digital or printed formats.

Addressing structural health challenges, engaging sedentary populations, and expanding accessible community recreation often require coordinated public health programming, municipal outreach, and professional physical therapy guidance. Local civic organizations and health specialists continue to evaluate methods for improving physical activity infrastructure across the region.