8 minute read
The 411 on Pickleball
THE 411 ON
PICKLEBALL
It’s been called the world’s fastest growing sport. If you don’t know what pickleball is, here is what you need to know:
What is pickleball?
A combination of tennis, ping-pong and badminton. It is played on a court the size of a badminton court with a paddle and a plastic, perforated ball that resembles a wiffle ball. It can be played indoors or outdoors and as doubles or singles.
When did pickleball get started?
Pickleball was invented in 1965 in Washington State and is believed to have started in Canada in the 1970’s after snowbirds played it in the US and continued playing when they returned home.
How popular is pickleball?
Pickleball has been called the fastest growing sport in the world and there is even speculation that it will one day become an Olympic sport.
Why is pickleball so popular?
It’s easy to learn and is less strenuous than many other sports, since it’s played on a smaller court and at a slower pace. It’s good for various ages and physical abilities.
What are the benefits of playing pickleball?
• Physically, pickleball serves as a full body workout as particpants use their lower body to move around the court and their upper body to serve and return the ball. • Mentally, pickleball can improve brain activity since players are required to make quick decisions throughout the game. • Emotionally, pickleball can be beneficial for stress management and also provides a great social element.
Who is playing pickleball?
Once considered a sport for an older demographic, it is now becoming popular with all ages. It’s even being incorporated into physical education classes in some elementary and high schools.
What do you need to play pickleball?
One of the reasons pickleball is so popular is because it doesn’t take much to participate. You will need a pickleball paddle, the pickleball itself, tennis shoes and comfortable, athletic attire.
Where can you play pickleball locally?
Eight new outdoor pickleball courts are currently under construction at the Kingsville Arena Complex and are expected to be completed in summer 2021. In the meantime, pickleball is being played outdoors at Ridgeview Park in Cottam. When permitted, pickleball can be played indoors on the second floor of the Kingsville Arena, at Migration Hall in Kingsville and at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Complex in Leamington.
For more information on local pickleball, check out: • Kingsville Pickleball Club on Facebook kingsvillepickleball@gmail.com • www.windsoressexpickleball.ca • www.ckpickleball.com
Photo courtesy of Kingsville Pickleball Club
At a time in your life when many people are taking a step back from professional responsibilities, why did you decide to run for mayor?
I have never let age define me. I’m still about 46 in my head. I now have the confidence, the experience and the maturity to be a better mayor. I am not ready to have days without purpose and challenge.
Being in the public eye, what do you do to make sure you have a healthy balance between your professional life and your personal life?
My home and my family are my refuge. I make sure that I have a few evenings a week at home. The grandchildren keep me humble and happy. My husband and children do the same, just on a less grand scale. I walk every morning to get my exercise and for my mental health.
What have been the biggest challenges of being the mayor in a pandemic?
I keep saying that we at this level have the courage but lack the power. Those with the power, lack the courage. We have tried to push the needs and wants up the chain because we are so familiar with them, but often to no avail. Best example has been about agri-worker isolation and quarantine. We know the gaps, capabilities and the limits of the programs and yet the upper levels don’t even know the difference between isolation and quarantine, so how can they understand what we need? And the shutdown of small businesses is the second example. Those small businesses have had the best protocols and practices in place and yet we shut them down, leaving the big box stores open. No one listened despite the asks and the pleas from those on the forefront. It has been maddening and frustrating.
How do you handle the negative comments that come your way on social media?
I can’t let the comments allow me to take my eye off the end goal, so I no longer spend much time scrolling comments. Yes, sometimes they hurt, depending on where they come from. And then there are the usual critics who have no idea of what is actually going on in the background...they are the armchair quarterbacks. Their comments don’t carry any weight at all.
What advice do you have for anyone who is interested in running for public office?
You need to have a supportive family that understands the time that is demanded. If you are still in the work force, your employer has to be on board with the time requirements of this essentially part time position. You have to have thick skin. You have to have courage to make tough decisions.
What is on your ten year plan both professionally and personally?
Professionally, let me just say that former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is my hero. Personally, it’s about keeping balance in my life. All things in moderation. Lots of laughter and love. I have been truly blessed and I am ever thankful for all opportunities and experiences that have come my way.
Retirement Living Long Term Care &
What is the difference?
Many people use terms like retirment home, long term care home and nursing home interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference.
Whether it’s something you’re thinking about for an aging loved one or if you’re thinking about your own future, it’s important to understand the difference between them. Overall, the biggest difference is the level of support the resident requires.
RETIREMENT LIVING
• Caters to more independent adults who are still looking to live a fairly active lifestyle • There is flexibility in the level of support available as residents can live as independently as they want • Residents are responsible for the full costs, with monthly rent based on the size of the suite and which amenities the resident would like to add • Additional amenities include things like housekeeping and à la carte dining • Personal support services are available if a resident requires assistance with things like medication administration • Often has amenities like fitness centre, hair salon and library • Provides organized activities for residents including card games, movie nights and live entertainment
BOTTOM LINE: You call the shots and you do what you want when you want.
LONG TERM CARE
• Often referred to as a nursing home • Necessary for individuals who require a high level of care and 24/7 supervision • Eligibility is determined by healthcare professionals or agencies and the waitlist for availability can often be extensive • Resident is responsible for a portion of their rent while the government covers the other portion • Activities will be provided however they will be geared towards the residents abilities
BOTTOM LINE: Focus is on healthcare services and support
What’s normal and what’s not?
No matter what age you are, there is a good chance you have forgetful moments.
Where did you leave your keys? What is that person’s name?
But what is normal, mild forgetfulness and when should you be concerned that your forgetfulness could be a serious memory problem?
According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, here are some ways to distinguish between normal aging and dementia.
NORMAL AGING
• Not being able to remember details of a conversation or event that took place a year ago
• Not being able to remember the name of an acquaintance
• Forgetting things or events occasionally
• Occasionally have difficulty finding words • You are worried about your memory but your relatives are not • Not being able to recall details of recent events or conversations
• Not recognizing or knowing the names of family members
• Forgetting things or events more frequently
DEMENTIA
• Frequent pauses and substitutions when finding words • Your relatives are worried about your memory, but you are not aware of any problems
One of the biggest benefits of getting an early diagnosis is getting an accurate diagnosis to determine what you’re dealing with. Other conditions like thyroid disease, depression and medication interaction can also cause memory loss, so the sooner you know exactly what you’re dealing with, the better.
What to do if you think your loved one has a serious memory problem
It can be heart-wrenching to see a loved one with a declining memory and it can be difficult to figure out what you should do. As hard as it may be, it’s important that you address their behaviour as soon as possible.
Here are some tips on dealing with your loved one’s memory loss:
• Discuss your loved one’s behaviour with other friends and family members. Confirm if others have also noticed the same behaviour.
• Use a gentle approach to ask your loved one if they’ve noticed any change in their memory. There may be two possible reactions to this as they may be relieved to talk about it or they may become defensive if they are in denial.
• Encourage your loved one to go to the doctor to get an assessment to deter- mine the cause of their memory issues.
1
in 5
Canadians have experience caring for someone living with some form of demetia.
Source: Alzheimer Society of Canada
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