spring & summer 2012
northumberland/quinte
NEIL SEDAKA
His 55 year career and where it’s heading next
choosing the
best executor for your estate
selling your home...
Now what?
A guide to moving.. beyond the sold sign
life | health | travel | fitness
Baby-boomers, that is people who were born between 1946 and 1965, comprise 30% of Canadians. Despite this aging trend, Canada is the second youngest country in the G8 group of industrialized nations; however, we have the oldest population in the Americas.
one in seven canadians is a senior One out of every seven Canadians is now a senior citizen. In 2006, seniors accounted for a record high of 13.7% of the total population; this was nearly double the proportion of 7.7% in 1956.
we’re living longer The number of people aged 80+ years surpassed the 1 million mark for the first time between 2001 and 2006. Source: 2006 Census/moving-forward.ca
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seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
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(705) 653-2232 Promoting an active lifestyle for our seniors PublisherS Eldon Weiss Dan Weiss Design Lindsey White Sales Manager Karin McDonald Administration Simone Strassburger-McDonald
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CONTRIBUTORS Nigel Husing Seniors Lifestyle Magazine is owned and operated by Willow Publishing Co. 15681 County Road 2 Brighton, ON K0K 1H0 Phone: 613-475-2927 1-800-339-5662 Fax: 613-475-5331 www.willowpublishing.com info@willowpublishing.com Seniors Lifestyle is printed in Canada. Articles included in Seniors Lifestyle do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher and information provided may be subject to change without notice. Each issue is available online at: www.seniorslifestyle.ca
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THE CHOOSINGUT OR
BEST EXEC ATE FOR YOUR EST
SED r career and
His 55 yea ding next where it’s hea
UR HOME... SELLING YO
AT? NOW WHng.. beyond the sold sign A guide to movi
FIT NE SS H | TRAVEL | LIF E | HE ALT
11
Neil Sedaka Exclusive interview with the renowned pianist, composer and pop/rock singer.
6 7 8 10 14 15
Statement from Linda Jeffrey, Minister Responsible for Seniors Choosing a Personal Emergency System
Putting your estate in good hands
Don’t gamble on your next move
travel article
Supporting your aging parents
16 17 18 19 20 22
Move cherished photos from shoebox to scrapbook Is hearing loss unavoidable? using your brain to hear Protect your furry friends this season Family fun is better with active grandparents skip the gym and take a swim taking the first step
Events
Telephone Index
advertiser index ABOVE & BEYOND
pg 20
COMMUNITY CARE
pg 23
HUTCHINSON FUELS
ALLIANCE SECURITY
pg 7
BAYSHORE HOME HEALTH
pg 3
DAVIS REPAIR
pg 20
ISLAND PARK
pg 4
DOWNEY PHARMACY
pg 22
kokimo candleland pg 21
BEAUTY WATCH
pg 3
the ear company pg 17
BULK PLUS
pg 3
pg 2
campbellford WINE SHOP
pg 6
EDDYSTONE KENNELS giant tiger
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CARM’S POOLS
pg 21
pg 20
CEDARGROVE ROOFING
pg 2
GIT-R-DOWN TREE SERVICE
pg 24
lant insurance BROKERS
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THE RED BARN
pg 4
raymond james ltd
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roseglen village pg 23
seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
5
Minister Responsible for Se-
A
s Cabinet Ministers in the Ontario provincial government, we frequently need to surround ourselves with experts who help advise us on all matters relevant to our job. Staffers, civil servants and stakeholders help manage policy files and guide the work we do in our respective ministries. As the Minister Responsible for Seniors, I’m also fortunate to have a terrific, enthusiastic group of unpaid advisors that’s second to none. They are bright, they are engaged. I think they must also have my phone number on speed dial because all day they will offer me their expert opinions on a variety of issues important to them and my ministry. They are our senior citizens -- active, articulate and independent, and from my riding of Brampton Springdale and all across Ontario. My advisors aren’t shy; they are definitely quick to speak their mind. And why shouldn’t they? It’s their generation that worked hard to drive our economy and build a better Ontario for our families. We wouldn’t be living in the greatest province in the greatest country in the world if not for them. We owe them our respect and are wise to lend them an ear. I am reminded of this regularly by my closest and dearest advisors – my parents. Like many seniors, my parents immigrated to this country, worked hard and made a significant contribution to the quality of life for their loved ones and their communities. Our government, now staffed by their children and grandchildren, is returning the favour by working to ensure seniors stay healthy and active. Among other things, we are providing income support for seniors through tax credits and Ontario’s pension system. Seniors who want to spend their twilight years in their own home will more likely choose that option as we make health care services more accessible to seniors at home. A new proposed Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit, worth up to $1,500 annually, would go towards adding a ramp, walk-in tub or stair lift at home. For those seniors who want support for their decision to live in the comfort and convenience of a retirement home, we are currently regulating that industry to ensure their safety and well-being. The Retirement Homes Act will provide stringent regulations to license homes and
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seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
protect residents against abuse or neglect. This n u m b e r (1-800-3617254) is already in service to handle complaints. My advisors tell me that seniors appreciate these things. Through them, I tell all parents, grandparents, great aunts and great uncles to never stop offering that helpful advice and good guidance. It’s important for their fellow seniors now, and will be even more so down the road. Over the next decade, Ontario will go through a significant demographic shift in its population. By 2017, there will be more people over 65 than children 14 years of age and under. To those potential new advisors on the horizon and the currents advisors I’ve come to rely upon: thank you for your counsel, thank you for sharing your hands-on expertise, and thank you for making Ontario the best place to live and work and raise a family. Visit the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat website at www.ontarioseniors.ca to learn more about how the Ontario government is helping keep seniors healthy, active and engaged.
Choosing a Personal Emergency System We all remember the TV commercial with the woman lying on the floor yelling ‘I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!’ and probably even chuckled at it. But it really isn’t a laughing matter. According to 2011 estimates almost half of the population in Ontario is over the age of 45. Life expectancy of men is in the late seventies; women, the low eighties. The waiting list for nursing and retirement homes is getting longer every day and people want to stay in their homes as long as possible. Having a personal emergency system makes a great deal of sense. It can take stress and worry from friends and families and allow more freedom. There are two distinct styles of units available. An ‘over the counter’ unit is programmed to dial directly to friends and family. The advantage is that there are no recurring monthly fees, but the unit simply makes phone calls and there is no guarantee it will ever reach anybody. A monitored system will send a special signal through the telephone lines to a professional monitoring station. It looks for a ‘handshake’ which confirms that the signal went through. From there trained operators will take action, contacting family, friends or EMS personnel. The downside is that this is a monthly billable service. Remember you’re paying for the assurance that an emergency is being responded to. Be very wary of anything that comes as ‘self-installation’, or if the company can install it in less time than it takes to have your morning coffee, chances are it’s not done properly. Systems are designed to use standard telephone lines to call out. So you can just plug them into a jack right? Try this: take
a telephone off the hook in your home then grab a different handset and try to call out. Quite simply you can’t. In an emergency if you are on the phone, the system won’t work. A properly installed system will be connected for ‘line seizure’. This means that if the system needs to use the telephone lines it will disconnect all of the other telephone jacks in the house to make a priority call. Once done, it releases the line and everything goes back to normal. This is a critical feature of the system. Obviously it is foolish to pay money for something that may or may not even function properly. If you already have an existing monitored security system it is normally a fairly simple procedure to add personal protection units. Conversely many of these emergency systems can have security or life-saving components integrated with them. Not only can you ensure you have protection for medical emergencies, but also for any other threatening conditions. Make some phone calls to your local security providers and ask them what they offer. Check on lengths of contracts, initial installation costs, and what features their systems have. It’s always a good idea to know some history on the company as well. Someone who has been established longer will have a larger client base and be in a better position to respond to any service concerns. Make sure you feel comfortable with the company providing the service. Article provided by Alliance Security Systems
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seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
7
Putting your estate in good hands C
hoosing an executor for your estate seems simple enough. A trusted son or daughter, your spouse or maybe a close personal friend are all likely candidates. But, are you doing them an honour or saddling them with a burden? Individuals give a lot of thought to making out their Will. They should do the same when choosing an executor. The executor (called a trustee in Ontario) named in your Will is your proxy. He, or she, or they assume all the financial and administrative duties of winding up your estate and see to it that what you want to happen with your assets is properly carried out. It’s a process that may stretch out for many months after you’re gone (and years in some cases). It’s natural to want a family member or a close personal friend to be your executor, but it may not be practical for the following reasons: people emotionally close to you will be grieving; while a friend or family member may have your complete trust, their ability to manage your estate may be compromised by lack of business or financial experience; someone your same age may not outlive you; or the nomination of one child over another may create hard feelings.
of fiduciary duties. The majority of tasks expected of an executor are administrative. For that reason, an executor out of his or her depth can seriously affect the speed of settling your estate and possibly the value of your estate assets if they are not managed or disposed of properly.
Putting the right person in charge There are several things you can do to ensure you get the best executor possible. If it’s a family member or personal friend that you want as an executor, first make sure they are prepared to take on the responsibility and are comfortable making such a commitment. If they live out of town, or if their business or profession won’t allow them the time to devote to your affairs, then it may be wise to have a second choice. Another option is to consider appointing more than one executor. Your lawyer or accountant or a business partner can bring the necessary business and administrative skills to augment those of a friend or family member. Keep in mind you’ll need to establish how to resolve disagreements affecting the estate.
Duties and Responsibilities of an Executor Consider some of the financial and legal responsibilities of an executor. • Register your Will with the provincial court • Prepare a complete inventory of your financial assets and liabilities and assume responsibility for them • Deal with various government agencies, banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, pension administrators and so on to finalize and close accounts • Meet with your creditors and review their claims on the estate • File all final tax returns (there can be several) and pay any capital gains tax owing on the deemed disposition of your estate’s assets • Assume control of your investment portfolios, property and business interests not covered by a separate Will or legal agreement and arrange for their sale or legal transfer to beneficiaries Clearly, reading the Will and distributing assets to your heirs and beneficiaries is only the last of a series
8
seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
Tom Robinson Financial Advisor
Raymond James Ltd. t Independent Financial Services Suite 1 438 Division Street Cobourg, ON K9A 3R9 TEL. 905-372-4333 t FAX. 905-372-1127 TOLL FREE. 1-888-989-6239 EMAIL. thomas.robinson@raymondjames.ca
Another possibility is to arrange with a Trust company or law firm that specializes in estate administration to be designated as your executor. In complex estate matters this may be the best course of action. Compensation for their services is usually based on a percentage of the value of the estate.
Simplify the job ahead Finally, don’t leave your executor with a lot of detective work to perform. Your Will, insurance policies, public and private share certificates, investment records, mortgages, legal and business agreements should be stored in a safe place with its location and a duplicate set of keys made accessible to the executor(s). And make a list of your key business and financial advisors, their names, telephone numbers and areas of responsibility. They can be key resources for your executor as he settles your affairs. This material was prepared by Raymond James Ltd. for use by Thomas Robinson, Financial Advisor of Raymond James Ltd. It is provided for informational purposes only. Statistics, factual data and other information are from sources Raymond James believes to be reliable but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Securities-related products and services are offered through Raymond James Ltd., member Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Financial planning and insurance products and services are offered through Raymond James Financial Planning Ltd., which is not a member Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
9
don’t gamble on your next move By JULIE WILSON SALES REP, SRES, ASA
W
hat if we sell and have nowhere to go?” “What if we find the perfect place and we haven’t sold our home yet?” This is truly a gamble either way! The odds are much better to be a winner of a smooth transition when you plan ahead. Moving should not be left to chance, especially as we get older and considering what may be our last move. Questions above and others like “What do we do with all our stuff?” “How do we manage when we don’t have the mobility like we used to?” “What if our family live too far away to help?” often arise as we consider a move in our later years. Take the time to plan, I have many clients who took as long as 6 months to a year before they were ready to proceed. Talk with professionals, those trained and experienced in working with seniors, a realtor, a financial planner, an accountant, a home inspector, a lawyer plus experts in sorting, packing and moving. These professionals will make the steps forward much smoother. Involve family and friends but remember you are always in control. Vital as a beginning step is knowing what your home is worth. Determine whether to sell “as is” or “fix up”. Are the repairs major or minor? Secondly on your own or with help, sort through belongings and determine what is needed and not needed. I understand this is the most difficult component when thinking of a move. What to do with all the boxes of memories and extra furnishings? Ask experts such as a realtor, home stager, or a transition specialist, how your home will show it’s best to get you top dollar when you are ready to sell. Know what you can afford and have a financial plan in place. You will be ready in the event the perfect apartment, condo or suite in a preferred retirement home becomes available and your home has not sold yet. Have your estate in order with an up-to-date Will and Power of Attorney. Here is a new concept you can designate in your Will, a reputable transition company
to help liquidate your house hold contents to relieve this task from your executor. The proceeds still remain in your estate to go to the chosen heirs. Now you can start looking for your next home with confidence knowing that when you find it you can “jump on it” (real estate lingo). During my many years in the real estate industry and working with older adults I saw there was a need to offer more services than just selling their home. There was a need for education in what is available, who can help and where to begin. I compiled all my experience and senior specific training to offer the basic fundamentals and helpful advice to Seniors and their families when contemplating a transition. I recently published a real estate planning guide for Seniors. In my planning guide I have listed a variety of housing options. I included a checklist for retirement home shopping as to their features, amenities, fees and services. I added tax and insurance information. In Chapter 8 I share the story of how Margaret and her daughter Linda managed to let go of the family home and cherished belongings she no longer required. There are many things to consider as you move forward in the new direction life is taking you. Selling your home does not need to be daunting. There are many people to help you. Find a professional you can trust that has your best interest at heart. My book is a helpful planning guide to get you started. My advice is to plan ahead, don’t gamble on your next move. The transition will be smooth and just the way you want it. Brightonian Julie Wilson is the author of Beyond the Sold Sign - A Canadian Real Estate Planning Guide for Seniors. Visit www.beyondthesoldsign.ca or call 1-855-803-2220.
Do something! Seniors often spend a lot of time planning their financial future but pay very little attention to how they will keep busy. Much of the joy in retirement is doing exactly what you want to do when you want to do it. Maybe you’d like to volunteer at your local hospital or start a small business from
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seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
your home. If you’re missing the camaraderie of old friends at work, meet them for lunch. Start a reading or luncheon club in your town. Join the local YMCA. There are so many choices - and the choice is yours!
an interview with
Neil Sedaka Photo courtesy Roger Cotto
By Nigel Husing
Neil Sedaka is a world famous singer, pianist and composer who has sold millions of records and CDs. He has written or co-written over 500 songs — many of them selling over one million copies. Neil, his wife Leba and their 2 children presently reside in New York City. I hear you were at the Julliard School of Music. How did that happen? As a pianist at 8 years old, I got a scholarship to the prep school of Julliard here in New York and then went up all the way to the college level. Studied for about 10-11 years and had every intention of becoming a concert pianist. But in the interim, when I was about 13, I discovered I had the gift of songwriting and I had to make a decision at 19 years old to whether to stay with serious music or to go out as a musical ambassador and sing my own songs. I chose the latter. That was a good decision. Yes, but I must tell you something very exciting. I’ve gone back to my roots full circle, I just wrote my first symphony and my first piano concerto and I just recorded it with the London Philharmonic a few months ago. I’ve been performing it in many symphonies across the United States. Will there be a CD coming out on that, or a DVD?
We dated for a short time. The next question I have – I know there was kind of a lull in your career after all the many hits you had with RCA Victor. Was it all because of the British Invasion and The Beatles? Did that just kind of kill things for singers like yourself? Yes, I had five years of hits on RCA, about ten top 10 records. And then The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and the British people came in and I was out of work until almost 1975 when Elton John started a record company. I was working in England in a small club and I met Elton John who turned out to be a big fan of my old records and he signed me to his recording label and it was a remarkable comeback for me. I think it was even bigger than the Tina Turner comeback. Very unexpected and very, very exciting. We saw you in Toronto at that time, it was the Sedaka’s Back tour, wasn’t that what you called it?
It was a remarkable comeback for me. I think it was even bigger than the Tina Turner comeback.
I hope so in the very near future. I’m interested to hear about the Brill Building. I know a lot of the hits you wrote started there. Could you tell me how you got there, what the story is behind it? Howard Greenfield and I started writing as teenagers and we were the first team to go to the Brill Building. It was a building of small publishing firms catering to young writers for a young listening audience and there were just a few little cubicles, little rooms, with pianos in them and we would write from 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon five days a week. And it was a wonderful way of learning your craft. After we started, I brought a girlfriend of mine named Carole King and she was next to be signed, and then many fine writers continued after that. But I was the first in the Brill Building to sing; to record my own songs rather than just write them. That was interesting. I wondered about that song “Oh Carole”, if it was for Carole King. Was that a hope that
12
you’d be her boyfriend or were you just friends at the time?
seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
Yes, the name of the LP was Sedaka’s Back and in it was “Laughter in the Rain” and “Love Will Keep Us Together” and “Solitaire”, many of my new songs at the time. It was a departure from “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” or “Calendar Girl”. It sure was different. I have to ask you: You have so many songs that you’ve written and performed yourself and a lot of other people have performed your music. The other night, I heard Elvis singing “Solitaire”. Is there a favourite version of one of your songs that you really appreciate? Well, I think the biggest cover was the Captain and Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together”. I’ve had from Sinatra to, as you say, Elvis, Karen Carpenter, ABBA, many fine singers but I think “Love Will Keep Us Together” was the biggest one. It was a very well-put together, well-produced record. And you know, I never wrote for anyone, I always did the first version myself and other people covered the songs. You just picked it up? That’s great. Can I ask a question to bring us up to date? I understand you’re coming up with a new release. It’s something very different for Neil Sedaka. It’s a children’s book. Can you tell me about that?
Yes, it’s my second children’s book. It’s called Dinosaur Pet and I think it’s wonderful to start the little ones reading. Especially having the combination of the words in front of them, the illustrations and the music. At the end of the book, there’s a CD with three Neil Sedaka songs. The main song is “Calendar Girl” but my son changed the lyrics to suit children so he called it “Dinosaur Pet” but the tune is “Calendar Girl”. It is about a young boy who indeed has a dinosaur pet in his home. He takes it out of the shell as a tiny little creature and then the dinosaur begins to grow and grow and eats him out of house and home. The cost of food is a fortune. He hits his head on the ceiling of the house. He breaks the bed that he sleeps in and it’s a very charming story with the music and the illustrations, so I’m very proud of it. This will be a wonderful treat for children - and for their parents and grandparents too. Actually. the idea of me writing children’s books came from my grandchildren. I have three – my son has three little ones. The boy is six and the twin girls are nine. They love the rock and roll songs so I came up with the idea of changing the words so this is our second book and I’m very excited. I think all little boys love dinosaurs so it’s going to be a big one. Where can we get it? Is there a release date yet? I believe it’s next year, around May-June. Do we get it through your website or will it be available at bookstores? All bookstores and all Internet places that sell books. You’ve got so much energy, you’re out all the time, you’ve got so many projects, do you have any words of wisdom for seniors that might be wondering what they can do next? I’ve been doing this for 55 years. I love what I do. It’s a gift that I love to share with the audience. My advice would be that if you still enjoy what you’ve been doing, I don’t think you really should cut it out completely. I’ve certainly cut it down – I used to do 90 concerts a year. I do about 35-40 concerts now. I enjoy it; I love the adrenaline rush, being in front of an audience. It has given me energy, the music has kept me young and I think the creative process has kept me young. Always trying to raise the level of Neil Sedaka. Always try to improve, develop and grow and also to get out of your comfort zone and push yourself another step higher.
Career Highlights 1947
Auditioned successfully for a piano scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music’s Preparatory Division for Children
A neighbor heard him playing piano and introduced him to her 16-year-old son, Howard Greenfield, an aspiring poet and lyricist, beginning a working relationship that would last decades.
late
1950s Sedaka’s first three solo singles did not become hits, but demonstrated his ability as a solo singer. RCA Victor signed him to a recording contract.
early
1960s
Sedaka and some classmates formed The Tokens. They had minor hits before Sedaka began on his own in 1957.
1958
mid
1960s
Recorded The Tra-La Days Are Over for MGM Records, which started the second phase of his career and included “Love Will Keep Us Together”, which was covered by The Captain & Tennille.
Elton John signed Sedaka to Rocket Records. Released Sedaka’s Back, a compilation of songs he’d already recorded in Britain in the early 70s. “Laughter in the Rain” charted in 1975.
1980s & 1990s
The Brill Building
Sedaka churned out hits from 1960 to 1962, such as “Calendar Girl”. He appeared on American Bandstand and Shindig!, and also wrote for other well-known artists.
Had #1 hit “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”, #5 “Next Door To An Angel”. Continued as a songwriter in the mid-to-late 1960s
1973
1952
mid
1970s
Concertgoers filled theatre seats while Sedaka created his own music label. He released occasional CDs of self-produced new, original material.
Signed with Razor and Tie Records in 2007. Maintains a rigorous concert schedule. Has appeared on American Idol, and was an October 2006 inductee of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
today Source: Wikipedia.org
seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
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travelling
The Italian trifecta has stiff competition F
lorence, Rome and Venice are Italian destinations well-traveled by Canadians, according to Thomas Cook Travel. But if you’re considering Italy for your upcoming vacation, don’t be shy to venture off the tourist track for an intimate, crowd-free experience in some of the country’s best kept secrets. If you like the ease and relaxed pace of Florence, visit Bologna, where the atmosphere is peaceful and stress free. Renowned for its cuisine, Bologna is considered to be the gastronomic centre of Italy. Travelers will eat like kings as the Bolognese combine top-notch local produce with dazzling culinary ingenuity. Pasta Bolognese, made with a meat based tomato sauce, originated here and can be sampled in most restaurants along with the renowned Mortadella sausage, as well as decadent local parmesan cheese. For an alternative to the floating city of Venice, try stunning Cinque Terre—staggered high into the seaside rocks, at the top of the ‘boot’. Cinque Terre, known as The Five
Lands, is comprised of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, all connected by a majestic walking route, known as Sentiero Azzurro, or “The Blue Path”. Take a hike, or relax, as you watch fishing boats come in and out of the bays while sampling local gelato and taking in the dramatic coastal views. The history and culture that is abundant in Rome can also be found in Mantua, a city in the northern region of Lombardy, filled with breath-taking Renaissance style architecture. Mantua fascinates with its rich and artistic heritage. Once dominated by the Gonzaga dynasty, the city was built to resemble a magnificent court, which is still reflected in the historic centre. The Palazzo Ducale, a World Heritage Site, is a real city palace with over 500 rooms, courtyards and gardens. Trade the crowds of Capri for the serene bliss of Ischia—a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, which lies at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples. On the tranquil south coast, the town of Saint Angelo blends twisting laneways, cozy harbours and picturesque beaches. The area’s natural thermal hot springs, complete with volcanic mud, are a must-visit for a restorative vacation. Canadian tour operator AlbaTours is an Italy travel expert with an attractive line up of packages and flights this season. More information is available online at ThomasCook.ca. - News Canada
Photo courtesy Dan Weiss
M
ore than ever, today’s adult children are balancing a variety of responsibilities including caring for their aging parents. After Marilyn, 83, lost her husband and companion of 63 years last spring, she dropped many of her activities and grew apart from her friends. Her daughter Mary, 61, wondered if the changes she saw in her normally active mother were due to aging or because she was depressed. Mary began helping with shopping, cleaning, and coordinating doctors’ appointments. She began losing sleep and worrying about her mother when she wasn’t there while also juggling the responsibilities of a full-time job and a first grandchild on the way. The social isolation and loneliness experienced by Marilyn reflect an issue of growing concern in Canada. About 37% of Canadians age 75 and older live alone, according to Statistics Canada. According to the World Health Organization, social isolation is associated with higher rates of premature death, a lower sense of well-being, more depression and a higher level of disability from chronic diseases. Maintaining or restoring an active social life contributes in a powerful way to healthy aging. “Staying socially active, in a variety of physical, social and emotional activities, can truly enrich life for seniors and help them build new social connections,” according to Laura Forsyth, Director of Life Enrichment at Chartwell Seniors Housing. Research also shows that social isolation increases “caregiver burden,” with potentially negative
effects on health and quality of life. This currently impacts approximately one-third of Canadian baby boomers who provide assistance to an aging family member, with about 70% of caregivers aged 45 to 64 actively working, according to Statistics Canada and BMO Retirement Institute. The good news is there are solutions to reduce the risks of social isolation for seniors and their family caregivers. In Marilyn’s case, a solution arose after her sister fell, broke her hip and was hospitalized. Mary knew she needed to talk to her mother before a similar crisis occurred. They agreed to look at several retirement residences not far from where Mary lived and they soon found one her mother agreed, felt like “home.” Today, Marilyn is part of an active community. She has made new friends and her outlook on is life is positive. She plays bridge, has taken up watercolour painting, and enjoys daily therapy classes that relieve her arthritic pain. When Mary visits, they have lots to catch up on. The right support services can often help prolong independence and help manage care needs for an aging parent while reducing the stress on adult children. If the time has come to consider your options, a retirement residence may be the solution. Sharon Henderson, Vice President Communication and Public Affairs, Chartwell Seniors Housing - www.chartwellreit.ca. Making People’s Lives Better
Move your cherished photos from shoebox to scrapbook By PAULA MASON, Scrapbooks and Smiles Scrapbooking is so much more than just “photo albums”. When you scrapbook, you turn your photos and memorabilia into memory books that tell a story of events that will be preserved for many years and generations to come. Scrapbooking helps us remember the who, what, when, where and why of things that happened. This way, in the years to come, when our memories are not quite so vivid we can revisit these times in our lives. I can’t think of a better legacy to leave our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and so on, than the gift of family memories. Scrapbooking has been around for as long as there have been photos but the scrapbooking which began to evolve in the 90’s is new and different. As we learn more about color photographs, we are better able to store them in a manner that will preserve them. This
Photos courtesy Paula Mason
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seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
means using products which are deemed “photo safe” or “acid/lignin free”. This will help to prevent your photos and memorabilia from deteriorating over the years. People often tell me “I’m not creative enough to scrapbook” or “I can’t afford to scrapbook”. Don’t let these thoughts deter you from trying your hand at scrapbooking! You need not be “creative” to make a scrapbook! There are plenty of ideas available in books, magazines, online and at your local scrapbook store to help you get started. Nor does scrapbooking have to be expensive. While there are elaborate tools which can add interesting effects to a scrapbook, simple pages often have the most impact. Getting started requires only an album, scissors, adhesive and perhaps some coloured paper and stickers. Scrapbooking has become a popular hobby for people of all ages, especially seniors! Without the distractions any longer of raising a young family, or working full-time, they often turn to scrapbooking as a relaxing way to spend an afternoon (or a morning, an evening or day). They have plenty of photos to choose from and are often the keeper of all the stories that go along with them! Anyone can make a scrapbook and no experience or expertise is required—it’s as simple as cutting and gluing. It’s really all about getting those photos out of shoeboxes and attics and into albums where they can be seen and shared for generations to come!
is Hearing Loss
unavoidable
Using Your brain To Hear
By Sanjeev Sukumaran Au.D.
I
t is absolutely unavoidable. No matter what we think, no matter how hard we try to prevent it from happening, it happens. Our hearing will change whether we like it or not. Certainly it is important to do all we can to protect our hearing but change is inevitable. Our hearing deteriorates for a variety or reasons, noise exposure plays an undeniable role but so does genetics and the process of deterioration that takes place over time. The complication with time-based deterioration is that this is typically a slow process that creeps up on us. Most often it is others that recognize the changes in our ability to hear before we do. I am of the opinion that we base normal upon ourselves and this is one of the reasons that we are not the best judge of our own hearing ability. Some of the signs of hearing loss are, difficulty hearing in a background of noise, loss of clarity more than volume, speech sounding more and more like a mumble, and television being turned louder but never getting clearer. These are just some of the signs of hearing loss. Rather than being the last to know that your hearing is changing it is wise to have that hearing test, be informed, know where you stand and have the ability to recognize change and deal with it sooner rather than later. The longer one waits to do something about poor hearing the poorer their outcomes are. Take it upon yourself to be the first to know and understand your hearing needs rather than waiting for others to point you in the right direction. Have your hearing tested, be educated, and make decisions for yourself based on an accurate understanding of what your needs are rather than misunderstanding, misinterpreting and feeling less than effective while engaged in the process of communication.
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Everything related to hearing.
By Sanjeev Sukumaran Au.D.
A
s I have grown a little older, I have often found myself stalling as I try to think of someone’s name, embarrassingly this might be someone familiar to me. Sometimes it is a word that I try to remember that is illusive. As my frustration rises at the inefficiency of my mind, I wonder what might be causing this seeming change. Recently I was fortunate enough to hear a presentation on some research out of the University of Western Ontario that shed some light on this type of frustrating inefficiency. MCI, minimal cognitive impairment, is a reality that many face as they grow older where our brains do not want to work as efficiently as we would like. Yes, they do have a name for what we intuitively know happens over time. The point of the study was that MCI, in combination with hearing impairment, adds another wrinkle to the ability to communicate effectively. Functioning with a hearing impairment means that one is constantly putting 2 and 2 together, trying to fill in the blanks in attempt to make reasonable sense of what is being said. Even minor changes in word recall that we encounter can create an increased difficulty in quickly and efficiently communicating. So yes, when you didn’t quite catch what someone said it may indeed be your hearing, or the ability of the brain to process information effectively or maybe a bit of both.
COURTEOUS • PROFESSIONAL • FRIENDLY • KNOWLEDGEABLE
seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
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pets / fitness
Protect your furry family members this season Submitted by DR. JINNI DEMINE, DVM trenton pet hospital
About fleas Parasites are “freeloaders” that live in or on another creature. Fleas are the most common external parasite found on dogs and cats. Although fleas are more likely to be a problem during warm-weather months, they can also cause problems during cooler seasons due to their ability to continue their life cycle indoors. How will fleas affect my pet? You will probably first notice the effects of fleas when a pet repeatedly scratches and chews its coat and you may begin to see fleas or flea dirt on your dog. Your pets constant scratching may lead to visible patches of hair loss and reddened, irritated skin. Fleas can also transmit other parasites, such as tapeworms. About heartworm disease Heartworms are very common in dogs and are an increasingly recognized problem in cats. Heartworm disease is very serious and can be fatal but through the use of medication, heartworm is preventable. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and, once mature, take residence in the heart and the large vessels of the lungs. The adult female heartworm can measure from 25 –
“Mens sana in corpore sano” is a Latin quotation meaning “a healthy mind in a healthy body”. . Some mourn that it has been forgotten as North Americans witness a decreasing family interest in outdoor activities and an alarming obesity rate among children. Michelle Obama, as U.S. First Lady, has been raising awareness of the urgent need for daily intellectual and physical exercise through her highly praised campaign “Let’s Move.”
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31 centimetres in length. The males are a little more than half as long and their tails are spirally coiled. How will heartworms affect my pet? The heartworm larvae, deposited by the feeding mosquito, will eventually migrate to the chambers of the heart or into the vessels of the lungs. Once established in the right side of the heart, the worms affect blood flow throughout the body. Heartworm infection can affect many different organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. A veterinarian may begin to suspect that your pet has been infected if an usually active animal tires easily or shows shortness of breath or coughing. If your pets show any signs of fleas or heartworms, or if you have any questions, contact Trenton Pet Hospital at 613-392-6667.
Bicycle riding is a long time favourite family outdoor activity and it helps to develop balance, coordination and motor skills which contribute to an individual’s overall physical fitness. For pre-schoolers, specialists in this field tell us that balance bikes— two-wheeled bikes without pedals— are a safe and enjoyable way to learn to ride. Take a look at the PlasmaBike for example. Designed by PlaSmart, it is a popular model choice due to its recessed but fairly wide wheels
seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
whose internal bearing system ensures a safe and smooth ride. Grandparents Ted and Jacqueline Odoni agree: “On weekends, our family’s favourite thing after we’ve enjoyed a meal together is to go for a walk in the park or for a ride on our bikes,” “It’s healthy, it’s free, and it clears your mind. Cycling is what keeps our three grandchildren active, and it also keeps us alive and kicking.” – News Canada
Skip the gym and take a swim It’s no secret that swimming is a great way to exercise. Like any aerobic activity, swimming burns fat and improves muscular and cardiovascular health. Swimming for just 20—30 minutes a day can deliver additional benefits beyond walking, jogging, or riding a bike. Because the density of the body is close to that of water, the body is supported during swimming, resulting in less stress on joints and bones. While jogging can burn as many calories, it puts more wear and tear on leg joints especially. For this reason, swimming is a popular recommendation for people rehabilitating from injuries, the disabled and the elderly. By alternating a chosen exercise with a regular swimming program, individuals can exercise different muscle
Taking the First Step:
groups, lower strain on hips, knees and ankles and increase lung capacity to achieve total-body fitness more easily. Most communities have public pools with times available for swimmers to exercise, but swimming at home allows you to work out on your own terms. Homeowners with smaller lots may consider a swim spa for the backyard or indoors. These smaller pools can be operated like a treadmill year-round and feature a water jet that allow swimmers to swim in place. Locating a reputable pool builder to bring the pool to your own backyard is easy online at poolcouncil.ca or toll-free at 1-800-879-7066. - News Canada
Commonly asked questions by older adults poised to embark on the trail to health and fitness
Q. I haven’t exercised in years. Isn’t it too late to start now? Today, gender, social class or ethnic background does not preclude a person from enjoying and succeeding in sports or physical activity, neither should a person’s age. A fit 70-year-old who has remained active can be as strong as an unfit sedentary 30-year-old. In fact, an active person will decline physiologically only by about 1/2 percent per year compared to an inactive person who will decline by about 2 percent. If you are deconditioned, a rejuvenating exercise program can be tailored to meet your needs through modification and adaptation. Gaining access to the exercise “Fountain of Youth” is not very expensive, nor is it a painful process. For many, it is actually quite enjoyable. Remember, age is a state of mind! Q. How many minutes per week should I exercise? A. The optimal amount of time varies among individuals. It is dependent upon many factors such as type of activity, intensity level, and your goals and abilities. Some interesting findings have surfaced from research
conducted recently which suggests that more than 300 minutes of vigorous exercise per week may be counterproductive for many participants. More isn’t always better. Everything in moderation is the key to good health. Q. How can I stick with my fitness program? A. Most persons who drop out of exercise programs do so because they are not having fun. People will repeat those activities that are enjoyable. It follows that exercise, to be healthful, must be something that bears repeating. Therefore, we need to seek out physical activities that we will experience as pleasurable and satisfying. Many folks find that cross training - engaging in several different types of exercise activity each week - helps them to maintain their enthusiasm. Remember, the benefits of regular exercise may not show up overnight like plastic surgery. But if you really pay attention, you will see some changes very quickly! By Harold L. Rainwater, M.S. Reprinted from Mature Fitness (formerly published as the Senior Fitness Bulletin) by permission of the American Senior Fitness Association 800243-1478. seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
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SPRING & summer MAY 2012 6 Spring Nature Walk, Sponsored by Friends of Ferris, Campbellford, 705-653-5767, friendsofferris.ca 17 Splash Pad Grand Opening and Rotary Club of Campbellford Open House, 705-653-2005, www.cscf.ca 19 Frankford Riverfest, 613-392-2841 x4421, www.city.quintewest.on.ca 19/20 Warkworth Art in the Park, 705-924-3980 19/20 Presqu’ile Provincial Park Warblers and Whimbrels Weekend, 613-475-4324 x225, www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca 25 - Warkworth Lilac Festival, June 3 705-924-3317, www.warkworthliliacfestival.ca 26 Barks By The Bay Canine Festival & Trade Show, Trenton, 613-392-2841 x 4487, www.barksbythebay.ca
26/27 Apple Blossom Thyme Festival, Colborne, 877-272-4263, www.appleblossomthyme.com JUNE 2012 Every Friday Night – Trenton DBIA Concerts in the Park, Ted Snider Bandshell, Fraser Park 9 Downtown Cobourg Busker & Street Festival, 905-377-8024, www.downtowncobourg.ca starts Campbellford Melodies at the Mill June 13 every Wednesday evening until August 15, 705-632-1741 22 Cobourg Highland Games Ceilidh, 888-262-6874, www.cobourghighlandgames.ca 24 Big Sisters Big Brothers Heart of Northumberland Garden Tour, 888-278-2484, www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
Event dates were current at time of print. Please contact organizer to confirm.
JULY 2012 Every Tuesday Night – Concert Band of Cobourg in Victoria Park Every Wednesday Night – Concerts in the Park, Brighton Every Wednesday Night - Campbellford Melodies at the Mill Every Friday Night – Trenton DBIA Concerts in the Park, Ted Snider Bandshell, Fraser Park 1 Canada Day celebrations thoughout the area 6-8 15th Annual Warkworth Western Weekend, 705-924-2868, www.warkworthramrodeo.com 8 Lakeside Antique & Classic Car Show in Victoria Park, Cobourg, 905-349-2272 13-15 Frankford Island Blues Festival, 613-392-1025, www.loyalblues.ca
Photo courtesy Jackie Marshall
HOME HELP FOR YOUR LOVED ONE Help that Family Member Stay in Their Home Reliable & Experienced. We will provide: • Home Maintenance Inside & Out - Gardening, Tree Removal & Pruning, Cleanup, etc. • Health Care Support • Assisting with Daily Tasks, Hygiene, Dressing • Light Housekeeping, Vacuuming, Dusting, Wash Floors, etc. Providing Transportation and Caregiver Relief REFERENCES AVAILABLE • POLICE CHECK AVAILABLE
CALL NANCY OR JEFF 613-397-1457 (Home) Nancy’s Cell 613.922.3746 Jeff’s Cell 613.922.3797
Email: arboris@xplornet.com
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seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
SPRING & summer 19-21 Festival on the Bay, Entertainment and Sidewalk Sale, Trenton, 613-394-4318, downtowntrenton.ca 22 Big Band Festival, Trenton, 613-392-2841 x 4487, www.city.quintewest.on.ca AUGUST 2012 Every Tuesday Night – Concert Band of Cobourg in Victoria Park Every Wednesday Night – Concerts in the Park, Brighton Every Wednesday Night until Aug 15 – Campbellford – Melodies at the Mill Every Friday Night – Trenton DBIA Concerts in the Park, Ted Snider Bandshell, Fraser Park 2 – 4 Downtown Cobourg Annual Sidewalk Sale, 888-262-6874 4 17th Annual Campbellford Waterfront Festival, 705-653-4335, www.campbellforddbia.ca
4/5 Presqu’ile Provincial Park – History Weekend – War of 1812 Bicentennial, 613-475-4324 x225, www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca 4/5 Movie on the Beach – Cobourg, 888-262-6874 4/5 Sandcastle Festival – Cobourg, 888-262-6874 10-12 Campbellford Fair - Campbellford Seymour Agricultural Society, 705-653-5338, campbellfordfair.ca 11 Trash ‘N Treasures Yard Sale event, Colborne, 905-355-2821 x233 17-19 Northumberland Ribfest, 888-262-6874, northumberlandribfest.ca 19 Warkworth Long Lunch, 888-653-1556, warkworth.ca/annual-events/longlunch/ 25 Movie on the Beach – Cobourg, 888-262-6874 30 to Auction Barn Jamboree, Colborne Sept 2 www.auctionbarnjamboree.ca
Event dates were current at time of print. Please contact organizer to confirm.
SEPTEMBER 2012 1/2 Presqu’ile Provincial Park Monarchs and Migrants Weekend, 613-475-4324 x225, www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca 7/8 Trenton Scottish Irish Festival, 613-392-2841, www.trentonscottishirish.com 14-16 Port Hope & District Agricultural Society Fair, 905-396-3247 15 Doors Open Quinte West 2012, Visit Heritage and Cultural Sites all over Quinte West, 613-394-1333 15 Downtown Cobourg Harvest Festival & Chili Cook Off, 905-377-8024 21-23 All-Canadian Jazz Festival, Port Hope, 905-885-1938, www.allcanadianjazz.ca 27-30 38th Annual Brighton Applefest, www.applefest.reach.net
Photo courtesy Jackie Marshall
seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
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telephone directory Emergency 911
Police, Fire, Ambulance
Hospitals Northumberland Hills Hospital, Cobourg
905-372-6811
Campbellford Memorial Hospital
705-653-1140
Trenton Memorial Hospital
613-392-2541 1-800-267-1373
Poison Control
Municipalities Alnwick/Haldimand Township, Grafton
905-349-2822
Municipality of Brighton
613-475-0670
Town of Cobourg Municipal Offices
905-372-4301
Township of Cramahe, Colborne
905-355-2821
Township of Hamilton, Cobourg
905-342-2810
Municipality of Port Hope
905-885-4544
Municipality of Trent Hills, Campbellford
705-653-1900
City of Quinte West, Trenton
613-392-2841
Your Host, Frances Linton-Schell 105 Victoria Beach Road, Colborne, Ontario K0K 1S0
Loughbreeze Bay B&B
905-355-1487
www.loughbreezebay.com Facebook.com/loughbreezebandb
All your regular pharmacy needs, plus ďŹ&#x201A;owers, plants and small gifts! For more information contact the Floral Department at 905-355-3782
3 King St. E. Colborne, Ontario Phone: (905) 355-2825 Fax: (905) 355-3305 Monday-Friday: 9 am - 9 pm Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm Sunday: 10 pm - 5 pm
do you have a story you wish to have printed? Ideas? comments? Let us know! Contact Simone Strassburger-McDonald at: simone@willowpublishing.com 1-613-475-2927 â&#x20AC;˘ Toll Free 1-800-339-5662
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seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
613-475-2927 1-800-339-5662
HOSPICE BRIGHTON 46 Prince Edward St. (613) 475-4190 brighton@commcare.ca
CAMPBELLFORD 174 Oliver Rd. (705) 653-1411 campbellford@commcare.ca
COBOURG 1005 Elgin St. W, Suite 203 (905) 372-7356 cobourg@commcare.ca
COLBORNE 11 King St. E (905) 355-2989 colborne@commcare.ca
HASTINGS 6 Albert St. (705) 696-3891 hastings@commcare.ca
PORT HOPE 99 Toronto Rd., Suite 201 (905) 885-9860 pthope@commcare.ca
“GIVING STRENGTH THROUGH CARING” www.commcare.ca
seniors lifestyle | spring & summer 2012
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“It’s almost a perfect place.” Bram Langdon Fo Island Park Retirement For Co Community resident Bram Langdon, th choice of his new home was easy. the ““It had nice surroundings, nice people – and I could bring Spot!” Bram and his 10-year-old Jack Russell Terrier Spot Spo moved to Island Park in 2010 and find that everything about the residence suits their taste – especially the location. “The outside is nice – the green grass, the birds – and the water makes it even better. I like looking out my window or sitting on the patio. And Spot and I love to go for walks along the canal.” Discover for yourself what makes Island Park the residence of choice for so many area seniors like Bram.
Why not join us for lunch and a personal tour. Call Cindy at 705-653-3100 to arrange.
18 Trent Drive, Campbellford I www.specialtyliving.ca
Approved Member