OUR MISSION

SageHealth Network is dedicated to promoting the sexual health, socialization and positive aging of older adults and seniors. We offer unique health promotion workshops and social events focusing on older adults and seniors' needs and overall wellbeing.




Friday, October 11, 2013

Indugle in a little brain candy with trivia

I love trivia. I have accumulated much useless information over my lifetime, it has to be good for something. That plethora of pointless facts does more than get me a good score at my local pub, it keeps the synapses in my brain sharp and firing. Just as jogging, weight-lifting or Zumba class can improve your physical condition, cognitive games can strengthen your brain and keep it functioning and healthy. 

Chess, word and number puzzles, crosswords, jigsaws and memory recall games - all mentally challenging games - are beneficial in stimulating the brain and encouraging new neural connections. 
Trivia has all these benefits plus the social aspect when played in a group setting. 

With respect to cognitive development, trivia exercises the pathways to long-term memory and mental stimulation, which keeps the brain healthy, functioning and active. Exercising memory recall, aural and verbal skills, and using visual cues, not only strengthen mental and cognitive abilities, but they can also help develop new cells. Aging brains have the ability to grow, adapt and develop new cells to compensate for lost ones. 

Trivia also has the added mental and intellectual stimulation resulting from socialization. Meeting new people, forming new attachments and deepening companionships are another benefit from playing trivia in a group setting.   

Socialization through leisure activities and games keeps people engaged and contributes to a higher quality of life and general well-being. 

So if you’re interested in boosting your brain power, meeting new friends and dazzling others with your expert knowledge of useless facts, try playing trivia. 

There are organized trivia games and leagues throughout the city and across Ontario: 

PubStumpers: PubStumpers is a Windsor-based business that creates trivia packages for pubs and restaurants. It is played in more than 200 venues across Canada and the U.S. It’s a weekly, live-hosted socially engaging game that runs for 12 weeks. Players can join any time they like and it’s free to play. 

Depending on where you go, teams can be competitive. Put your thinking cap on and dig in your heels if you’re confident you know the correct answer. There is also a version for the 55-plus demographic called Grey Matters! and a new edition to the games roster is the bingo-based, Zengo.
You can checkout the full roster of games www.thecrowdmakers.com
 
Meetup.com: One of my favourite social networking sites is Meetup.com. This site brings together like-minded people based on your interests and area code. It’s a global network of friendships waiting to happen. You can find trivia and games meet-ups by just typing in your postal code at www.meetup.com
 
Toronto Trivia League: Played at several pubs in the east end, this league started in 1992. You can create your own team or join an existing one. There is a per person charge to play. The new season began Sept. 9. If you want to create your own team or join an existing one, check their website at www.trivialeague.com
 
Retirement residences/community centres: Independent seniors’ centres and retirement residences run their own trivia nights. Some of these residences open up their activities to the community. Ask one in your neighbourhood if you can attend and check out their facilities and services.
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Original link:  http://www.insidetoronto.com/blogs/post/4120341-health-age-well-suggest-indulging-in-a-little-brain-candy-with-trivia/

Sunday, September 8, 2013

The slow death of ageism

The problem with “isms” is they never die. I’m referring to the negative kind of isms: sexism, racism and, more recently, ageism. The term ageism has been in use since 1969 when gerontologist Robert Neil Butler used it to describe discrimination against seniors. And here we are, more than 40 years later, still confronted with it. 

But there’s a new weapon in the arsenal to fight against ageism. Revera Inc., a seniors’ housing corporation, just released a new report on ageism with a companion microsite called www.AgeIsMore.com.

The new site is aimed at not only challenging negative stereotypes of aging, but also celebrating the spirit of aging and the contributions of older people. Revera Inc. has done extensive research on the aging process and the well-being of seniors and have published findings on quality of life concerns including happiness, love and romance and computer technology usage. Now the retirement industry giant turns its attention toward ageism and how to end it. 

With their new study, Revera seeks to alter our perception and misconceptions about aging and seniors. The study proposes adopting a positive and more consistent attitude toward older adults and being more open-minded about the different aspects of aging – two simple approaches that will help us become more optimistic about the inevitable process and more accepting of those experiencing it.
The site invites people to challenge their personal beliefs and assumptions about aging and older adults by submitting their stories and experiences and reading stories of seniors. 
Some of Revera’s findings include: 

• By 2051, one in four people in Canada will be over the age of 65
• one in three Canadians admit they’ve treated someone differently because of their age
• 63 per cent of seniors ages 66 plus say they’ve been treated unfairly or differently because of their age
• 71 per cent agree that Canadian society values younger generations more than older ones

Visit www.AgeIsMore.com and share your story about your own experiences, then share the link with others - it’s one more step toward ending ageism. 

Our next step in the ongoing fight against ageism? A 65-plus superhero who is a true champion of our mature population - someone who elevates their dignity, self-worth and contributions and who fights the evil ageism wherever it lurks. 

But that’s a topic for another blog. 

Original link:  http://www.insidetoronto.com/blogs/post/4043129-health-age-well-talks-about-the-slow-death-of-ageism/

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Film Review-Sad and uplifting Amour

Amour is a beautiful love story that focuses on aging, patience and responsibility. 

The plot centers on a husband and wife, George and Anne Laurent (played by Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva), both in their mid-80s, retired piano teachers who have been married for decades. 

They enjoy a simple, comfortable life and are content to grow old together. But when Anne suffers a stroke, the couple faces one challenge after another. Yet through their entire ordeal, their bond remains unbroken.  

Not only is Amour a film about a long-lasting love affair over decades, it also illustrates the stresses and difficulties of caregiving. 

After Anne’s first stroke, George assumes responsibility for her care-giving needs. Anne is paralyzed on one side and needs assistance with her activities of daily life – bathing, toileting, dressing, ambulation. The two soldier on with Anne coming to terms with her growing dependence on her husband, and George shouldering the responsibility of meeting his wife’s growing needs.
The two deal with their own depression, resentment and anxiety. Both try to hold themselves together so the other doesn’t witness an emotional breakdown from increasing stress. Anne loses her independence and her ability to make music, while George becomes overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for his wife. 

When Anne suffers a second stroke, she completely loses her ability to communicate. She begins to suffer from aphasia and complete loss of mobility. George still is her primary caretaker and her advocate, firing an in-home nurse who is abusive and dealing with relatives who visit occasionally demanding better care without a thorough understanding of her condition.   

As Anne declines rapidly, George is always nearby. Feeding her, stroking her hand to calm her restlessness, telling her stories, singing to her and patiently teaching her to sound out words.
The film mirrors what all caregivers experience. With an aging population, there has been an increase in the numbers of individuals performing unpaid caregiving. Spouses, children and friends are stepping into the role once reserved by health-care professionals. 

The results of family caregiving can be very rewarding as individuals are able to act with the well-being of their loved one in mind and be strong advocates for them. However, the emotional, physical and financial costs associated with caregiving for individuals with chronic and complex health issues can be overwhelming.  

Informal caregivers can suffer emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, guilt and resentment, and burn out from overwhelming responsibility.  

Stress, exhaustion and repetitive tasks such as bending, lifting and  carrying can result in long-term physical ailments. And financial costs resulting from lost work time and out-of-pocket expenses can take a huge toll on people trying to do the right thing. 

According to the Canadian Caregiver Association, there are approximately four to five million Canadians who provide care for a family member with long-term health problems. As unpaid, informal caregiving, this is equivalent to $5 billion of unpaid labour annually.
 
No matter the good intentions of family and friends in taking responsibility of care, there will be conflicting emotions of resentment and affection - feelings of helplessness, feelings of unworthiness and feelings of loneliness. Like many others before him, this is the string of emotions that the film’s protagonist, George, is plagued by. 

Amour is beautifully sad and tragic, but romantic and full of hope. It shows that love is powerful and binds us to one another. It shows that caring for the needs of another, while stressful and demanding, is also one of the greatest gifts we can give to another. 

Original link:  http://www.insidetoronto.com/blogs/post/3845871-health-age-well-talks-about-the-sad-and-tragic-but-uplifting-movie-amour/

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Volunteering for social change with the Canadian Association of Retired Persons

I’m a huge fan of volunteering. I love volunteering. If I didn’t have to work full time, I’d be spending my days and weekends volunteering. There are so many causes I believe in and want to support, I wish I had two more lifetimes in my pocket. 

All non-profits rely on this selfless group of individuals who donate their time, willingly, with the greatest of intentions. And now, this section will benefit from a major windfall. 

According to Volunteer Canada, there are more than five million seniors age 65 and close to 10 million baby boomers making up 43 per cent of the population. Although the majority of 45-plus tend to volunteer within sports and recreation, social services, education and religious non-profits, there is an area that is beginning to show growth. 

The truth is, not many will think of political advocacy right off the bat when it comes to volunteering and giving back.   Boomers and seniors are increasingly showing more interest in having a strong voice in political and social issues. It is expected that more individuals in this demographic will become more engaged in citizen advocacy and civic participation. 

With this major demographic shift in our worldwide population, organizations such as the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) are so important.
I’m familiar with CARP’s mission, which is committed to a new vision of aging for Canada, promoting social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination, among other statements. 

The mission and vision of CARP reflects the mission I created for my agency, SageHealth Network, which focuses on health promotion, positive aging and social connections.  CARP works with 55-plus volunteer-run chapters across Canada that build stronger, more informed, more cohesive communities. The chapters also encourage engagement and advocacy in support of CARP’s areas of focus: finances, health and rights. By volunteering, attending meetings and events, it generates a sense of belonging and increases social participation and connections. And by volunteering with CARP, you’re part of a larger movement that is creating positive change across Canada.
CARP does good work in the community and across Canada. Advocating for the rights of older adults and seniors is advocating for the rights of all Canadians. 

For more information on CARP, contact www.carp.ca or call 416-363-8748. 

Original link:  http://www.insidetoronto.com/blogs/post/3241532-health-volunteering-for-social-change-with-the-canadian-association-of-retired-persons/

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Retirement is the perfect time to further your education

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Hit the books and go back to school

By Michele Cauch

If you’re retired or close to this life milestone, now is the perfect time to think about going back to school.
Today, there are so many options for continuing education for older adults and seniors. There’s never been a better time to fill your head with learning.

From university degrees to one-off special-interest courses, the world of education is your oyster. There are so many options nowadays for older adults and seniors to pursue educational opportunities, such as affordability, location and program type. Really, the only question now is not why would you go back to school but rather, why wouldn’t you?

Moving into the Ivory Tower
If you’ve ever dreamed of getting a degree or diploma, some colleges and universities now offer reduced rate tuition for people 65 plus. For those who pursue this option of post-secondary education, you’ll get the full-on, in-class experience – rubbing shoulders with freshman, burning the midnight oil writing papers and cramming before exam time. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, check out these post-secondary institutions.

For individuals who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents age 60 or older at time of registration, York academic fees at the domestic rate will be waived. 

Ryerson Chang School of Continuing Education waves tuition fees for students who are 60 years of age or over at the start of the term for undergraduate credit courses/programs. You still have to pay departmental ancillary fees though.
McMaster University in Hamilton has a similar program for undergraduates more than 65. In addition, McMaster reduces fees by 50 per cent for seniors registered in continuing education courses.

Hopefully you’ll find what you’re searching for at York or Ryerson because you’ll have to pay big bucks to attend University of Toronto. The U of T only waves nominal ancillary fees for seniors. Across Canada, there are other universities that offer free or reduced rate tuition for 65 plus such as:

University of Guelph
University of Calgary
University of Western Ontario
University of British Columbia
University of Lethbridge
Mount Allison University

Study through cyber space
If the fast-paced, caffeine-drenched life of a full-time student is not for you, you might be interested in online educational options. The advent of the Internet has changed the way we communicate with each other, how we do business and how we socialize.

It also revolutionized the way we learn. Online courses make studying convenient and flexible right from the privacy of your very own Internet connection. The dress code is much more relaxed when you study at home, too - jeans, ballgown, pajamas are optional.

One of my favourite online sites is Coursera.org
Coursera is leading the way of MOOCs (massive online open courses). Coursera partners with leading educational institutions across the globe to offer courses that were once the privilege of the few. Partner universities include Stanford, Duke, Berklee College of Music, University of Edinburgh, University of Geneva and Johns Hopkins to name only a few.

Coursera partners with 62 universities to offers 92 courses in five languages across four continents. There are 2.7 million students currently studying through coursera.org

And best of all, it’s free!

From introduction to mechanical engineering to songwriting, human physiology to improv, Coursera brings you learning options you never thought you’d be able to take advantage of.

While you won’t earn your degree through Coursera, you will get a certificate of completion when you finish the course. All you need is an Internet connection. Coursera also connects students to meetup groups based on course. So if you’re one 400 people who signed up for Introduction to Mathematical Thinking and live in Toronto, Coursera gives you the option of connecting to Mathematical Thinking Toronto Meetup.com to get together with other individuals in the same course.

Coursera has pioneered online learning, making education possible for millions of people.

Next, special-interest courses


Original link:  http://www.insidetoronto.com/blogs/post/2502045-health-you-re-never-too-old-to-hit-the-books-and-go-back-to-school-says-age-well/

Saturday, February 16, 2013

How do I love ME , let me count the ways

Write a love letter to yourself this Feb. 14th.
By Michele Cauch

As millions of people get ready to go in search of that perfect Valentine’s gift for their sweetie (or sweeties) it leaves the rest of us to reflect on singlehood. You may feel frustrated being single. You may be searching for a companion and settling for people who are not ideal mates.

But my advice for Valentine’s Day 2013 is to pause and remember there is something more important than having a romantic partner – you.

Single. It’s not a dirty word. Although some are petrified of saying the “S” word, looking at the situation from a different perspective, it is a state of empowerment and strength.

To be worthy of someone else’s love, you need to begin a love affair with yourself first. Romantic love is a nice to have, but self love is a must.

No one is going to love you if you don’t love yourself.

Your first love should always be you.

You come into this world with yourself and you’re going to be leaving this world together. So you are your first and last love. Only when we love ourselves fully and completely can we truly love another person. Loving ourselves with all our faults, quirks and frailties is important in accepting who we really are.

But remember, all those faults, quirks and frailties are accompanied by our special talents, gifts and unique perspectives. We all have wonderful things that make us special.

To show how much you are loved and appreciated, here are some Valentine’s activities you can do with yourself:

1. Don’t wait for someone to send you flowers. Send yourself a bouquet with a note, “Hey beautiful. Happy Valentine’s Day.” Or feel good about making someone else’s day by sending your best friend flowers.

2. Take yourself on a date. How about a movie no one else wants to see. Or take yourself out to a nice restaurant for dinner and drinks. Bring a magazine or a journal. You can write about the funny awkward looks people throw your way.

3. Make a list. Make a list of things you admire about yourself and post them where you can see them. It’s OK to brag about your best qualities. If you don’t brag, who will?

4. Exercise: Respect and take care of your body and it will treat you well for the rest of your life. Go the gym, go to the spa, go for a walk or dance around your room. Besides when you’re physically active, your body releases endorphins — our own natural feel good drug.

5. Write yourself a love letter. You are your first true love. Write it all down and state the wonderful qualities you possess.

If you’re single, don’t get frustrated or feel blue on Feb. 14. Valentine’s Day is strange occurrence on our calendar. It’s a grand marketing ploy developed to offer vendors of chocolates, flowers and jewelers a golden opportunity to pay their bills. It puts people under a lot of pressure to find something that tangibly illustrates their devotion to their significant other.

They can have their one big day of the year to prove their love. You have a full 365 days to celebrate yourself. Why limit that to one day of the year?

Original link for Inside Toronto: http://www.insidetoronto.com/blogs/post/1937934-health-how-do-i-love-me-let-me-count-the-ways-says-age-well/
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Michele Cauch is the executive director of SageHealth Network, an agency dedicated to promoting seniors’ sexual health and positive. Cauch holds a master’s degree in social work specializing in older adults and end-of-life care. Cauch has been featured on various programs and publications. Visit www.sagehealthnetwork.com, info@sagehealthnetwork.com or by calling 647-831-6630.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Parks and Recreation offering much-need sex education for seniors

By Michele Cauch

Parks and Recreation is now offering sex education for seniors. No, not City of Toronto Parks and Recreation, but one of my favourite TV sitcoms, Parks and Recreation with comedienne Amy Poehler.

Parks and Recreation Season 5, Episode 4 focused on the rising rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), particularly chlamydia, among seniors in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.

The parks and rec staff, dubbed the Sex Avengers by Councilwoman Leslie Knope (played by Poehler), puts together a sex education seminar targeting seniors.

Naturally, jokes, ageist comments and expressions of disgust at the thought of older people having sex are woven throughout the episode. Yet, it can be too easy to assume the producers are ageist in their portrayal of senior sexuality. 

The characters are used to represent different views of the same conversation. 

For example, Andy captures the stereotypical attitude that most people have toward seniors and sexuality. He expresses a lot of “ewwws” and shivers in revulsion at the educational seminar when seniors are talking openly about sex.

Public health nurse, Ann, acknowledges STDs are increasing because seniors aren’t practicing safer sex. Politician Leslie wants to educate the senior population on safer sex practices to protect the health of the citizens. And then there are Marcia and Marshall Langman, who represent the abstinence-only front and do all that they can to prevent sex education of any kind.

But most importantly, the Parks and Recreation main characters, writers and producers, acknowledge seniors are sexually active and need health education. One lady in the audience actually requests to see the condom demonstration.

The latest stats from Public Health Canada show 12.4 per cent (2,644) of all reported AIDS cases occurred in people 50 years of age or older (www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/aids-sida/publication/epi/2010/6-eng.php). 

In the U.S., one in five newly diagnosed HIV cases is someone 50 or older (The Body, www.thebody.com/content/69471/washington-dc-tailors-hiv-and-aids-talk-to-seniors.html). 

Seniors want sexual health information. They are either not getting it or they’re only getting the cookie-cutter one-sized fits all sex ed, which doesn’t benefit them.

They need honest, realistic, customized education in order to make informed decisions about their own health. We need more politicians such as Leslie Knope who will brave government censure in order to educate and protect the public health.


Original link: http://www.insidetoronto.com/blogs/post/1490632-health-parks-and-recreation-offering-much-needed-sex-education-for-seniors/