Western University facility adopting patients impacted by Cardiac Fitness Institute closure

Members of the soon-closing Cardiac Fitness Institute (CFI) are being welcomed to the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging (CCAA) at Western University.

In consultation with the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), the CCAA has developed new fitness opportunities as an option for members of the CFI, once it closes on April 27.

READ MORE: Compromise brings hope for London’s Cardiac Fitness Institute patients

The CCAA, based in Western’s Faculty of Health Sciences, is Canada’s leader in current research and program development for improved physical ability and healthy aging for older adults.

It’ll be offering new classes, specifically targeting cardiovascular health, on top of its current class schedule. The LHSC is also donating treadmills, exercise bikes, weight training equipment, and stress tests units to the CCAA.

“This opportunity for current CFI members has been months in the making and everyone at the CCAA is incredibly excited for what’s to come in terms of programming, growth and continued research excellence,” says Clara Fitzgerald, CCAA Program Director.

READ MORE: LHSC to close Cardiac Fitness Institute

“CCAA is a natural fit for existing CFI members and we can’t wait to welcome them all to the CCAA.”

Paul Woods, the president and CEO of the LHSC, says the hospital has been working closely with the CFI’s Patient Advisory Committee since CFI’s closure was announced at the start of the year.

“This opportunity with the CCAA represents the results of that collaborative work and we are very pleased to have established a positive option for CFI members,” he said.

Dates and times for new classes will be communicated once they’re built into the schedule.

New cardiovascular programming information will be posted on the CCAA website, while information regarding the transition for CFI members can be found on the LHSC website.