Aging Eyes

The eye.  It’s an important function for our every day activities because it allows us to see where we are going, what we are doing, and where we would like to be.  It is one of five senses that not everyone is benefitted to have, and one that many take for granted. 

I encourage you to make an eye doctor’s appointment today.  Why, might you ask?  Recently, a research study article published in The Globe and Mail, looked into the effects of aging eyes.  The studies suggest that “the gradual yellowing of the lens and the narrowing of the pupil that occur with age disturb the body’s circadian rhythm, contributing to a range of health problems.  As the eyes age, less and less sunlight gets through the lens to reach key cells in the retina that regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, its internal clock. ”

Circadia-what-a?  Confusing, right? In simplest terms – the article explains – that these are the cyclical hormonal and physiological processes that rally the body in the morning to prepare for the day’s demands, but also is responsible for slowing it down at night to repair and rejuvenate the body’s senses. The study was published to raise awareness about the importance of getting your eyes checked and keeping your circadian rhythms in check.     

“Photoreceptive cells in the retina absorb sunlight and transmit messages to a part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN, which governs the internal clock. The SCN adjusts the body to the environment by initiating the release of the hormone melatonin in the evening and cortisol in the morning.”  Now, don’t suddenly run outside, whip off your sunglasses and stare straight into the sun.  That will clearly harm your eyesight rather than help it.  It’s important to note, that melatonin has many health promoting functions, and studies have further proven that individuals with lower melatonin secretion, have a higher risk of many illnesses – such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. 

Ultimately, if you can get your sleep schedule on track, then your circadian clock will start ticking again and your melatonin will start circulating once more. But it’s important to visit your eye doctor, or family doctor, annually, to ensure that your body is up to par.  Find a way to get active! With age, individuals should make more of an effort to expose him- or her-self to bright sunlight or bright indoor lighting when they cannot get outdoors because older adults are at a particular risk.  Start walking with a loved one or friend, invest in taking trips to warmer climates, or find outdoor games that aren’t too strenuous on the body.  Stay active, stay happy and be healthy.   

Sweet dreams and happy sunning! 

Turning Point

Growing up is hard to do.  But according to The Toronto Star, "studies show that we get happier as we get older, we’re often just afraid of change."  And I don’t disagree.  Life doesn’t get easier, but it becomes more manageable.  We begin to find our likes, and our dislikes. This, however, is not always a cinch to grasp. 

In an article that was recently released by The Star, Turning Point: Over 50? We can help you change your life, they have extended an invitation for the opportunity to be paired up with an expert – a life coach, trainer, stylist, accountant, etc. – that will help aging adults with their transformation. 

Take Lisa Larkin, 51, for example.  The Grade 8 school dropout, who spent most of her years taking classes in counseling to achieve her dream in becoming a therapist, was accepted into graduate school at the University of Toronto in September.  She is working towards earning her masters in social work.

Sometimes, we need a little push in the right direction to help us achieve our goals, and The Toronto Star wants to help.            

The Star reminds us, “Grandma Moses was 71 when she picked up a paintbrush. Ronald Reagan was first elected to political office at 55. Nellie McClung was 57 when she and four other pioneering feminists won the fight to have women declared legal “people” in Canada.”

So, what’s stopping you?

Aging in Peel

Aging is inevitable.   And in a fast-paced society that develops quickly, sometimes it feels impossible.  Keeping up seems harder while being in “the know” seems irrelevant, considering something new will inevitably come along.  Television, once a created entertainment value, is now equally full of reality TV shows.  Whether it’s The Bachelor or Bachelorette, Jersey Shore, Big Brother, Hoarders, Survivor… the list is endless.  The question is, how does this become relevant to living today?  Depending on who you are and what you enjoy watching, these shows can either be creative geniuses or a waste of time.  Personally, I’m of the latter – with the exception of Big Brother – but I digress.

As an aging adult, coping with the environment that appears to be dominated by brands and the hottest “it” product can be challenging.  Why do you need Abercrombie & Fitch’s newest line?  Who’s Hollister? Guess what?  Now, by no means am I telling you what does, or does not, matter, because by all means, you may have been able to tell me that the last three things I mentioned were clothing stores – rock on!  What I am here to tell you, is about Rogers TV and its partnership with Peel Senior Link to bring you a weekly program about senior’s issues and independent living.

Rogers’ website describes this new show – Aging in Peel – as one that “will provide the public with knowledge and information about a broad range of topics of interest and challenges faced by a large, diverse, and rapidly growing aging population in Peel, and how to access support services for clients and caregivers.” 

Tune in on Wednesday nights at 6 P.M. (cable 10 in Mississauga), and see SERC’s Pat Spadafora co-host; let us know what you think!   

Click here for Mississauga & Brampton showtimes.

Click here for Orangeville, Caledon and Bolton showtimes. 

Heart Health Month

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and the stores are filling up shop.  The gift-giving season continues to celebrate a day in history that is equally red – however, not as flattering.  It’s a day some individuals dread, take in stride, or don’t seem to recognize at all.  It’s one day a year to remind ourselves that love is celebrated; and what more to remind us, than the symbolic heart. 

February is Heart Health Month, and this year, the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation is challenging the nation to make 1, 000, 000 healthy actions by the end of the month to help “Make Death Wait.”  According to Heart & Stroke, “nine out of 10 people have at least one risk factor, and 40 per cent have three or more.”  Eighty per cent of premature heart disease, however, is preventable. 

Now, I’m not asking you to run outside and start jumping rope or run to the nearest track and start training for a marathon. But making better lifestyle choices can reduce your risk from suffering a stroke or a heart attack.  Dr. Beth Abramson, HSF spokesperson and cardiologist, stated in a press release report, “This can be anything from being physically active for 150 minutes a week, knowing and controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and eating healthy.”     

Other ways that the Heart & Stroke Foundation has listed to reduce your risk: being tobacco-free, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, managing diabetes and limiting your alcohol consumption. 

What will you do to help make a change?  

Retirement, it isn't the end

I don’t think that retirement is easy.  It appears as if there is an assumption that has been made – once you get to the point in your life where you are ready to step away from the workforce, and really “start living,” you essentially travel.  But not everyone can, or wants to, pick up and backpack across Europe, climb mountains in the Andes, or sip champagne within the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. 

Sometimes it may feel like retirement living is not a stage anyone looks forward to, or wants to risk “going into.”  But that’s the wrong idea!  There are many different activities that older adults can partake in besides spending time with family (but by all means that is not discouraged!).

If you are living in a retirement home, finding and participating in a workshop, art class, or other events within the community becomes beneficial to your social engagement.  It encourages seniors to make relationships and bond over similar interests.  Maybe I’m naïve, but I’ve played a few good rounds of bocci ball and shuffleboard with my grandparents.  Competition is healthy, and it keeps older adults active!  The important thing to consider when looking for a retirement home is to review the number of planned activities each centre may offer and determine whether or not it caters to you.

Community outings are also a commonly planned event with seniors.  Many residences plan outings throughout the year to museums, shopping, bowling, casinos, breakfast, luncheons, dinners and all that in-between.  Retirement isn’t a trap; it offers an abundance of opportunities that keep people 65 + going!

Support is the number one key for making seniors comfortable with their decision to not only move into retirement homes, but can be essential to health and well-being of the older adult.  SERC is conducting a needs assessment to determine the ways in which an Internet‐based network might benefit both support providers and support recipients. A particular goal of this questionnaire is to explore ways to connect support providers, regardless of where they live.

The Centre is interested in hearing your thoughts about the function of this proposed network to help us better work towards its implementation.

If you are interested in participating, please click here.