This summer we went to visit my senior in-laws for a week. We had a fun filled week planned with outings, game nights and nice dinners. But this all changed after only two days when my 82 year old father-in-law became very ill. He had bad episodes of vomiting and excruciating stomach pains —we didn’t waste time we got him to the ER right away.
by duncanj on Sep 01, 2021
We’re all heard that laughter is the best medicine but it turns out this is truer than you might think. When we laugh, not only are our spirits are lifted, our heart is happy and we just simply feel good, but for seniors, laughing provides a variety of age-related health benefits.
Decreases Stress, Anxiety & Depression
by duncanj on Aug 09, 2021
As we get older, we can experience some changes in our sleeping patterns, this is totally normal. You may notice things like becoming sleepy earlier, waking up earlier, or simply getting less deep sleep. However, it’s important to know that disturbed sleep, waking up tired every day, and other symptoms of insomnia are not a normal part of aging.
by duncanj on Jul 02, 2021
Did you know that 47% of Canadians over the age of 60 suffer from hearing loss, ranging from the inability to hear certain voices to deafness?
A senior with hearing loss not only struggles with hearing alarms or telephones, or understanding speech on TV or radio, they may also be unaware that someone is talking or whispering. They may have a lack of understanding when talking on the phone or even speaking to their doctors.
Types of Hearing Loss
by duncanj on May 31, 2021
As we age, we may feel that our contributions toward saving the Earth don’t really matter much. Seniors, as a whole, have the power to impact future generations just by making a few eco-friendly lifestyle changes that promote sustainability and help the planet.
June 5th is World Environment Day so we thought we’d share some ideas of how seniors can help the Earth and set a good example for younger generations.
Here are 10 simple ways seniors can create change:
by duncanj on Apr 30, 2021
Is Social Media Good or Bad for Seniors?
Overall, social media seems to have a positive effect on seniors’ well-being. Internet use has been shown to reduce seniors’ risk of depression by nearly 33%. One study found that seniors who use Facebook show marked improvements in cognitive function.
Another study found similar results when seniors were trained to use email, Skype, Zoom and Facebook.
Social media can open new avenues for seniors separated from children and grandchildren by long distances or physical distancing.
by duncanj on Mar 31, 2021
April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) awareness month so we thought we’d share some information since studies have indicated that IBS may affect up to 10% of elderly people population in Canada.
What is IBS?
IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common chronic condition that affects the digestive system.
It causes symptoms like abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhoea, gas, bloating, constipation or a mix of these. While most people with IBS have mild symptoms with occasional flare-ups, some people who have more critical, severe symptoms.
by duncanj on Mar 01, 2021
Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions
There have been so many questions surrounding the vaccines slowing being rolled out across Canada and the world. As we are await our turn to receive the vaccine we thought we’d answer a few questions we’ve been asked.
by duncanj on Feb 02, 2021
A trip to the hospital, especially if unexpected, can be overwhelming for you and your loved ones. As you and your medical team focus on your treatment while in the hospital, you may not be thinking about what happens when it’s time to go home.
Your transition from hospital to home is important for a good and speedy recovery and may even reduce your need for another hospital stay. So, it’s important to plan your discharge and ask questions so you are clear about your care and to ensure a safe transition.
Hospital Discharge Checklist
by duncanj on Jan 04, 2021
Self-care means doing things that help you maintain your physical, mental, or emotional well-being. Sometimes it too easy to forget to take care of ourselves, so we’ve collected a few tips to help.
Eating Right
We’ve talked about the importance of eating a healthy diet for seniors. We all need to focus on healthy eating habits as they are a key part of self-care.