Elderhood

How to Make Good Lifestyle Choices for the Rest of Your Life

      Do you remember the song about how all our bones are connected? “The foot bone’s connected to the ankle bone…” Hearing it as a kid was the first time I thought about the concept that everything in our body is connected to everything else. You only have to stub your toe to […]

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The Number One Factor in Maintaining a Healthy Brain

     Is it playing those word games I love?      Solving math puzzles I don’t?      Spending regular time with a group of close friends?      Good genes?      All of these are factors, but the single greatest element of brain health over which you have control is your diet.

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What 81% of Canadian Elders Want and How Technology Can Help

     Greta knew that her kids wanted to talk with her, and it scared her. She had guessed their concerns for her mobility, her safety and the fact that she still lived in the house they’d grown up in would be the topic of conversation.       They sat around her kitchen table, and

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5 Ways Technology Can Help the Other 10%

Gladys didn’t understand the appeal. Her friends had fancy phones which did all kinds of things besides make phone calls. They did their banking without leaving the building. Was that even safe? They got their groceries and other things delivered and talked to some weird guy called “Siri.” All these things scared and confused her,

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How to Cope When Bubble Wrap Isn’t an Option

 Sarah couldn’t get the picture of her mom lying on the floor in the kitchen out of her mind. The fall hadn’t been serious; there’d been minimal damage. But Sarah’s mind and even her dreams kept crowding with what ifs. What if she hadn’t come to visit that day? What if Mom had laid there

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How to Respectfully Create a Safer Environment

On Friday, Sarah experienced the nightmare every care partner dreads. She came over to her mom’s apartment to find her on the floor. Fortunately, she’d only slipped down as she tripped over a kitchen mat about ten minutes before Sarah arrived. Her bottom had received most of the impact, and other than a large purple

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How to Avoid the Fall That Can Change Everything

A fall can change everything. Not a profound statement. Of course it’s true. Broken bones are no picnic, especially for elders who heal slower and have multiple medical issues. But have you considered this: Falls can trigger chronic pain which will change the quality of a person’s life. Head injuries and all their implications as

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How to Give Like Santa to Your Elder this Christmas

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” I’ve always thought, “that song must have been written by a man.” I looked it up. It was. Two men, in fact. Edward Pola and George Wyle in 1963. It was first performed and made famous by another man, Andy Williams, the same year. I love Christmas,

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Finding Practical Ways for Elders to Emerge From Depression

Roger had been taking the anti-depressant for two months now. The doctor had warned him that they were starting with a small dose and would raise it slowly as needed. He said he would monitor closely, and that it often took some time to find the correct drug and dosage for each person. “Covering his

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How to Overcome the Stigma of Mental Health Issues in the Elderly

Roger’s moods hadn’t gone unnoticed. But help came from an unexpected source. Jenna picked up the call at work. The voice on the other end of the line hesitated. “Hi, This is George McDuff. You don’t know me, but I’m a friend of your dad’s. We play cards together on Wednesdays.” Jenna’s “worry meter” immediately

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