Once upon a time I thought people who talked to themselves were not all there. Now I do it. Isolated by an ongoing pandemic and having moved across the country after a 30 year stay in another province, socialization has become a thing of the past – except on a superficial level. So I talk … Read more
“Chicken Crossing,” warned the sign and indeed there were chickens. I didn’t see them in the winter when I walked my dog past this yard almost daily. However as the weather warmed and spring arrived, they made their appearance along with an abundance of crocuses in the front yard. Intrigued by this property and with … Read more
You can’t pretend to be slim – especially during or after menopause. Estrogen levels are reduced and our metabolism slows. Weight formerly attached to our hips now migrates to our abdomen taking with it our waistline. Oh to be a woman. What we lose in stature, we gain around our middle. There’s an increase in … Read more
Everyone’s seen the commercial where an elderly person falls and can’t get up again. The commercial plugs a product that has positives and negatives for seniors: positives because it’s a potential lifesaver, but negatives because many older adults don’t want to be seen as that frail person who has fallen and can’t get up. Fortunately, … Read more
As they age, most seniors want to remain active and independent as long as possible. Many would prefer to live in the familiar home they’ve loved, even when the tasks of daily living become difficult. Many have friends and family who are willing to help, but seniors would still rather do as much as possible for themselves. Fortunately, … Read more
Intro When we look at an old friend or family member with dementia, we might wonder if that person we love is still in there. Could there be some way to reach in and find them? Maybe even release them? Well, that just may be possible through music. Henry’s Story The YouTube video “Alive Inside” has … Read more
It’s not just our imagination that we lose strength as we get older. Muscle mass loss starts as early as age 30 and continues at between three to eight percent each decade, with the loss rate increasing after age 60. This muscle loss is called sarcopenia, and it’s one of the main causes of disability … Read more
Cramps = a common and annoying ailment. Leg cramps, aka Charley Horses, the most common variety, can stop you in your tracks. The older you get, the more susceptible you are to cramping. Some cramp sufferers assert that nothing knocks out a cramp like pickle juice. Does it logically follow that older adults … Read more
It used to be that grandmothers looked like grandmothers. They wore neat white hair and sensible shoes. Many favored conservative dresses. Other older women, however, went for a different senior clothing stereotype. Think orange pants and other articles made of forgiving stretch fabrics. These days, a lot of senior women aren’t ready to go quietly … Read more
Most people have friends and relatives who have suffered from dementia, and many worry that they too will face cognitive problems as they age. Can anything be done about it, or is dementia inevitable for those who have the wrong DNA? Well, two of the major risk factors are age and genetics, and you can’t … Read more
People walk more slowly as they get older. It’s natural. There are a number of things seniors can’t do as quickly as they used to. But what does your walking speed say about you and is your walking speed telling you something? Some folks slow down more than others. It’s not just random. Studies show … Read more
People dream about the joys of retirement when they no longer have to work and every day’s a Saturday. And it indeed can be a great time of life for relaxing, traveling, golfing, dinners with friends, reading, or spending time just hanging out. But the retired years are not without their perils. Here are four … Read more
