I'm very excited to be presenting my Aging and Wellness workshops at Centennial College School of Continuing Education.
The New Sex ED 101 Friday Oct 24 @ 12-1:00pm
Pleasures and Pitfalls of Mature Dating Friday Nov 7 @ 12-1:00pm
Positive Aging Movement Friday Nov 21 @ 12-1:00pm
To register, please contact School of Con Ed: centennialcollege.ca/ce
Sage Health Network
A resource for information and support on aging well and senior sexuality.
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.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Seniors and Sexuality: Enjoying Intimacy and a Healthy Lifestyle Part 1
Most people cannot imagine seniors as being sexual into
retirement age and beyond. For many young people, it’s impossible to associate
physical intimacy with older adults. Senior sexuality has been branded either
an uncomfortable or unbelievable concept. There is the belief that seniors are
too old to engage in sexual intimacy or they are undesirable to potential
mates. It may be news to many, but it’s time we all realized and rejoiced in
the fact the seniors are indeed sexually active well into the Third Age.
The Good and Bad
News
Yes, it’s true! Seniors are sexually active and enjoying
all forms of intimacy. The latest study by the American Association of Retired
Persons estimated that 48% of those surveyed aged 45 and over who are single
and dating say they have intercourse at least once a week, and 60% of dating
singles are satisfied with their sex lives. Among those surveyed, 40% report
having intercourse at least once a month; and 44% report sexual touching and caressing at
least once a week (64% if they have a partner). Two-thirds of those surveyed
say they have either a current or recent sexual partner. 22% say they engage in self-stimulation at
least once a week. (Sex, Romance and
Relationships: AARP Survey of Midlife and Older Adults and 2010).
As encouraging as this revelation is, it also presents cause for concern--individuals 50
and over are at greater risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), such as genital herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and
HIV/AIDS. There are a variety of reasons why older adults are at risk for
contracting STIs: lack of education and awareness campaigns targeting older
adults, reliance on outdated information, and common misconceptions about seniors’
sexuality on the part of health care providers.
Many seniors have assumptions and beliefs about sexuality
that are difficult to change. There is a danger for older adults not to use
condoms as a form of safe sex. A common misconception for not using condoms is
that they are associated with preventing
pregnancy—something that is not a concern when in your 70s or 80s. Many seniors
may believe that HIV/AIDS is a disease that affects young people or gay men and
could not possibly affect them at their age.
Some older adults are perhaps newly single, widowed or
divorced after long term monogamous relationships years
of marriage and do not know of the sexual health dangers that exist nowadays.
These individuals are seeking new partners and are in a vulnerable situation
due to lack of information and awareness of sexually transmitted infections and
the facts about HIV/AIDS.
The Viagra craze has contributed a lot to the increase in
STIs in older adults also. More seniors are having more sex; however
drug companies and government agencies have not provided sufficient education
on sexual health risks nor safer sexual practices.
Continued......
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.
---
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
By Michele Cauch
So you’ve enjoyed retirement and are now looking to further your education, just for fun. You’ve looked at some university and college options, but it’s too much of a commitment or just too serious.
So you’ve enjoyed retirement and are now looking to further your education, just for fun. You’ve looked at some university and college options, but it’s too much of a commitment or just too serious.
Perhaps you had something less mentally taxing and less of a time eater
in mind. Fear not, fair knowledge seekers, there are lots of
special-interest courses out that don’t require jostling
shoulder-to-shoulder against freshmen while standing in line for a
Timmy’s before your 8:30 a.m. psych class.
Behold, the easiest place to start might be the best well-kept secret – The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) offers continuing education courses after school lets out.
With 33 sites across the city, you’re bound to find something that
appeals to every taste – sewing, pottery, languages, real estate, cake
decorating, ballroom dancing, start your own business and drawing for
people who can’t draw (yes, that’s the actual name of the course).
Regular courses run for about two months and there are discounts for
those 65 plus.
York District School Board
also offers continuing education classes and seniors get a 15 per cent
discount. However, you’ll have to grapple with a non-user friendly
website to see the course listing.
Hidden educational gems
Two months too long still? Consider reconnecting with one of the oldest treasures in our city, The Toronto Public Library (TPL). The TPL offers an impressive lecture series that covers an extensive
list of subjects from culture, arts and entertainment, health and
wellness, history and genealogy and hobbies, crafts and games. You can
also join a modern salon and engage in conversation and debate with
writers, artists and innovators that come together for conversation and
debate.
Ryerson’s Chang School of Continuing Education offers Ryerson LIFE Institute.
LIFE provides opportunities for education, leadership, personal growth
and social activities for people 50 plus. The institute offers courses
and study groups on a range of topics such as current affairs, art,
history, culture, music and film for the 50 plus group. There are also
learning travel programs available also. Membership cost is $80 a year
and you need to be a member to register for courses.
Fitness junkies can take their enthusiasm to whole new level.
Transform yourself from gym rat to fitness instructor at the YMCA.
The YMCA Fitness Leadership program offers a nationally accredited
course to certify instructors as group fitness leader, individual
conditioning leader and aquatics fitness leader. The program consists of
five elements that lead to certification: basic theory, applied theory,
apprenticeship , on-the-floor training and evaluation and
certification.
Be the talk of the town
Toastmasters International
is a leader in communication and leadership development. Their members
improve their skills by attending one of the 13,500 clubs in 116
countries. Members engage in public speaking exercises and leadership development
in a supportive environment. People are encouraged to drop in to a
meeting and see if it’s your style before committing to join.
Whatever your interests are, there’s a course or program that awaits
you. You can invest as little as two hours to enjoy a one-off workshop
on travel photography in the Arctic. Or you can commit to a program that
will give you skills to share your interests with others and help them
attain their educational goals.
It might not be easy to find it, but if you have perseverance and do your sleuthing, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Visit 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
to read the first part of this series about continuing your education.
------------------------------
Original link from InsideToronto.com: http://www.insidetoronto.com/blogs/post/2519069-health-retirement-is-the-perfect-time-to-further-your-education-says-age-well/
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