Today I felt like my young self
We all want it – that feeling of independence; that sense of pride and purpose; the feeling of being seen and heard. This doesn’t change with ageing, in fact, for some it amplifies. Such is the case with...
4 Ways to Simplify Financial Affairs
It can become increasingly difficult to manage financial affairs, as we age. For many seniors, diminished ability to deal with money and personal business is a concern. If possible, the best solution is to...
Tips on Proper Eating and Nutrition as You Age
Bread for the Journey As we prepare to head into fall it is the perfect time to reinforce the importance of eating well. This can be especially challenging for seniors who live independently and alone and are...
Taking the STRESS out of a Senior’s Move
Often the thing that keeps seniors from considering a move from their home to a Retirement Living community is the daunting task of …. well everything to do with moving! This is understandable, given that a...
15 Tips for Traveling with Seniors
Planning a trip with (or for) an aging parent can be a wonderful way to grant a wish, or give a gift of immeasurable joy. Perhaps you have a parent who is longing to see a special friend or distant relative...
Seniors and Mental Health
We’ve come a long way when it comes to identifying, accepting and treating mental health issues. In fact, nowadays it is common for family doctors to incorporate mental health-related questions in routine...
Meals Matter to Seniors
If you ask most people, a good meal matters. Seniors are no different. In fact, as you get older many people say that food becomes increasingly important since you are less able to enjoy other pleasures that...
Music Tunes Up the Wellness of Seniors
Music is magic. It is a soothing balm for old wounds, a creative tool for self-expression, a profound elixir for any number of medical conditions, and a potent mood booster for anyone, any age, any day. For...
The Art of Engagement — Bringing Seniors into Focus
In retirement residences across the country, recreational staff are busy innovating and planning - striving to create just the right complement of programs and activities to entice the residents who call the...
Seniors Flourish in the Company of Kids
It’s not rocket science. When you put seniors in the company of kids there is an instant connection … joy abounds. “I can’t describe it,” says 87-year-old Louise at Calgary’s Kirby Centre program that invites...
Aging in Place ~ What it Really Means
You’ve heard the term ‘Aging in Place’ but what does it really mean? The formal definition of Aging in Place is “having the health and social supports and services you need to live safely and independently in...
Socialization is Good for Seniors
We all know how satisfying and enriching it can be to spend time with friends, but did you know that it can also improve your health, boost self esteem, and may even ward off dementia? The benefits of having...
Seniors Targeted in Scams
We live in a world where fraud, theft, and privacy violations are a very real and common threat. This is a tough reality for all of us, and even more of a concern for seniors who are vulnerable on so many...
Rolling into the New Year – Moment by Moment
Yes the time clock is once again rolling over and many of us find ourselves preoccupied with the task of taking inventory of our shortcomings and measuring our achievements. We tally what went wrong in the...
Holiday Gift Giving for Seniors
Consider the 3 Es: Experiences, Expressions and Edibles ’Tis the season of joy and of course, you want to spoil your favourite senior! The question is… what can you give your loved one that they will cherish,...
Holiday Stress and Seniors
Lois Helinsky is excited to know she will be spending Christmas with her granddaughter and her extended family but she is also a bit anxious about it. “I’m not used to all kinds of food and activity so it can...
Senior Loneliness — How You Can Help
For many, the holiday season can be a particularly lonely time. This is especially true for seniors who are living on their own and don’t have close family ties. “My husband and so many of our friends have...
Remembrance Day – The Power of Stories
A young high school student in Alberta recently shared with us an interesting story about an English assignment he had just completed. The task was to write an essay about someone in his life who had...
Hanging Up the Keys
For some, one of the most distressing aspects of aging is the prospect of losing their driver’s license. The freedom and independence of driving is something most of us take for granted for several decades of...
Planning a Trip with a Senior
Planning a trip with (or for) an aging parent can be a wonderful way to grant a wish, or give a gift of immeasurable joy. Perhaps you have a parent who is longing to see a special friend or distant relative,...
Meet Our Resident ~ Bruce (Harmony Court Estate)
Bruce Murray has always been a bit of a contrarian; not one for following norms, opting instead to sample a life of variety, and forge his own unique path of adventure. Born in 1940 and raised in Vancouver,...
Meet Our Resident ~ Shirley (Harmony Court Estate)
Shirley McLeod loves life at Harmony Court Estate, in fact in her own words, “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” At 82 Shirley is Chair of the Resident’s Council, a position that allows her to consult with...
Grandparents by any Name … are SPECIAL!
Grandparents are special. This sentiment was echoed repeatedly across the wide and varied sample of people I interviewed, asking them to share a grandparent story, a special tradition, or a treasured memory....
Blended Families — The Importance of Cooperative Decision-Making
Recently at a celebration of a friend’s 50th birthday, I was surprised to learn that three of us at the gathering were in blended families and are experiencing tension related to family decision-making....
10 Little-Known Perks of Getting Old
It’s no secret, aging often comes with a heaping helping of grief, frustrations, and annoying limitations. But the truth is, getting old also comes with a fair number of benefits. Here are the Top 10 Perks I...