Lifestyle

It became increasingly clear that more awareness around injury prevention was necessary, and for the last five years Injury Prevention Day in Canada’s focus around education and resources on ways to prevent injuries has been unwavering. The Division of Aging and Seniors is committed to decreasing hospital visits and injuries through various public education initiatives, by developing policy around injury prevention, and through community based programming that focusses on ways to prevent injuries and teaches Canadians 65+ how to avoid injury in their day to day lives. National Injury Prevention Day Canada serves as a reminder to Canadians of all ages that small changes, and a little added caution could be the difference between a great day and an unexpected trip to a hospital.

Canadian National Men’s Health month is upon us! Every June, heightened focus is placed on men’s health, men’s wellness, and men’s healthy diets across Canada. Throughout Men’s Health Month, men of all ages are encouraged to show their minds and bodies a little extra love by setting health goals, focusing on disease prevention, and incorporating healthy habits like having a men’s healthy diet that can be sustained beyond national men’s month.

As increasing numbers of Canadians line up to receive a second jab and more older Canadians have already been double vaccinated, the time has come to emerge from our pandemic caves. After 16 months of social isolation and near-total reliance on digital media to connect with others, our moment has arrived. As an organized person, who relies on my calendar and checks it frequently throughout the day, I’m beginning to plan. For me, planning is half the fun of doing. If the data is correct, at two to three weeks out from my second shot, I’ll be able to do much more than I can today.

There are trailblazers, and then there is Sue Pimento. In August 2005, at the age of 49, Sue married her partner Bonnie. That was only 1 month and 4 days after same-sex marriage became legal in Canada.

Friendship, both intimate and casual, plays a significant role in overcoming loneliness and illness as we age. The famous most extended longitudinal study of human development, the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which began in 1938 and continued for more than 75 years, explored these basic questions.

Before we delve into how to stay active at home, let’s look at why it’s good to stay fit and active. Movement is good for the mind, body, and soul. Most importantly (especially these days), its good for your immune system. Activity promotes healthy circulation, it helps prevent common diseases, and it keeps the body strong and agile. Canadians 55+ are often long standing members of their active adult communities and spend much of their time staying active after retirement. Many have found great social opportunities by participating in active games for Canadians 55+, while others have found fun ways to stay active at home.

Aging in place is our number one choice for good reason. Canada’s National Research Council has implemented the Aging in Place Challenge Program, which supports a sustainable model for long term care by shifting the focus toward preventive home and community based care based on four pillars: safety, health, connections and standards.

If you’ve been living in your home for a long time, you might have reached the point where you love it less than when you first moved in. It could be that it’s starting to look a little tired or worn around the edges. Or, it could just be that, having spent so much time looking at the same four walls during the pandemic, you need to change things up.

Hosting family gatherings or participating in egg hunts or other traditional Easter events may not be the same. While the celebrations may look slightly different this year, there are plenty of fun Easter ideas to enjoy with family and friends safely and make the most of your Easter long weekend. Read on for some exciting suggestions for Easter activities this long weekend.