by websitetoon | Apr 7, 2017 | Blog |
There are several services throughout the GTA that make day-to-day life easier and more manageable for seniors. We are lucky to live in one of the most habitable and sustainable cities in the world. Living in Toronto means having access to services and programs that make life more convenient for us as we age. The City of Toronto actually provides a directory detailing all of the different municipal services available for seniors. These services include assistance with healthcare, community activities, transportation, financial assistance, things to do, and food. Today, we are going to take a closer look at two of these services. Public Services for the Elderly in Toronto: Wheel Trans Wheel Trans is a service designed to accommodate travelers with various different needs. For people with restricted mobility who find it difficult to get around on their own, Wheel Trans can be a very useful option. Wheel Trans’ buses have a similar look to regular TTC buses, but are smaller and they make longer stops to help people on who need assistance. The fare for Wheel Trans is the same as the regular TTC, but Wheel Trans will transport individuals with limited mobility to their exact destination right from their own front door. In order to qualify for Wheel Trans services, you must set up an interview with their customer service department to see if you meet the requirements. You also have the option to fill out an online application. All the information you need to get started can be found HERE. Public Services for the Elderly in Toronto: Meals on Wheels Another great service the city of Toronto has to offer seniors...
by websitetoon | Apr 7, 2017 | Blog |
Living with Lupus is an ongoing struggle for those who have contracted the disease. A chronic autoimmune disease, Lupus can affect the entire body with a hyperactive immune system attacking normal, healthy tissue. Up until recently, a lupus diagnosis was equivalent to a sentence of suffering. Treatments have advanced, and now most lupus cases are manageable. As the world population ages, it is not uncommon to discover people who have developed lupus late in life. Very little is known about Lupus in seniors, but it clearly differs from a younger onset of the disease. It is often misdiagnosed as another rheumatic disease. As a result, a significant delay in its diagnosis is common. How Does Lupus Affect the Body? Lupus is an impairment in the body’s immune system that results in the body attacking its own healthy cells and tissues. This can cause serious damage to basically any and every part of the body. Even if lupus is properly treated, it can still lead to other complications and conditions such as: Increased risk of heart disease Kidney problems Blood clots Headaches Memory loss Seizures Increased susceptibility to infection Living with Lupus: Early Warning Symptoms and diagnosis Lupus can be a particularly tricky disease to recognize and diagnose. There is no single laboratory test that can be administered. The symptoms common to lupus, are also common to numerous other ailments making it difficult to spot, and these symptoms may come and go. It may take several years to get a diagnosis. Usually, four or more of the following eleven criteria must be present to make a lupus: Malar rash: butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and...
by websitetoon | Apr 7, 2017 | Blog |
We would all like to know how to stretch your savings after retirement. Successful financial planning for retirement can be a very challenging task. Even seniors that have diligently planned and saved for retirement can find that the money didn’t last as long as they thought it would. In some cases, seniors simply outlive the savings they put towards retirement. In other cases, seniors may have had to deal with unexpected expenses, or found that expenses were higher than originally predicted. Here are some tips that seniors can use to help those retirement savings go a little further. Stretch your savings: Investing in your health If you are healthy and your good health allows you control of your daily life, being able to do things yourself will keep your costs down. Many seniors even feel physically and cognitively well enough to maintain some form of employment or income source after their ‘formal retirement’. Seniors who have good health have the option of doing this, and being able to live from their partial income plus old age pension and CPP, therefore not dipping into savings. If retirement to you means stopping paid work altogether, investment into your health will still have financial benefits. Spending time exercising and eating well, while keeping your weight in check will help you ward off one of the most expensive diseases – Alzheimer’s Disease. One of the highest and most burdensome expenses many seniors incur is the cost of healthcare at home or in a facility. Healthcare related costs for the elderly may include: In-home nursing care Eye glasses Hearing aids Medical equipment such as elevators,...
by websitetoon | Mar 30, 2017 | Blog |
Various factors can contribute to marked weight loss in the elderly. A lot of seniors tend to completely lose interest in cooking and preparing meals, especially if they are cooking only for themselves. It can be difficult to find the motivation to make a nutritious and tasty meal if there is no one to appreciate and share it with. Budget may also be a factor in what foods are affordable and how much can be spent on food each week. That can minimize options for trying out new meal ideas. Lastly, dietary guidelines can restrict what kinds of food seniors can eat. Take all of these elements into consideration, and it is easy to see why some seniors struggle with weight loss. Symptoms There are numerous indicators that can alert you to the possibility your loved on is suffering from malnutrition. Here are a few to consider: Loss of appetite No interest in cooking or food in general Mood swings Fatigue Weight loss Effects The effects of malnutrition in seniors can take different courses. In some cases, effects are minimal resulting in loss of energy and causing fatigue. In other cases, consequences can be more severe. Seniors may find it more difficult to recover from illnesses and other conditions. They may become less responsive to treatment, and can even end up in the hospital. Treatments Methods for treating malnutrition will depend on how serious the case is. If malnutrition is quite pronounced and advanced, a special diet may be required at first to provide high calories in order to restore appetite and build strength. Prevention Prevention is the best...
by websitetoon | Mar 30, 2017 | Blog |
Eyesight is possibly the most heavily relied upon of all our senses. You really don’t appreciate just how much you depend on your eyesight until you don’t have it anymore. Aside form the obvious practical functions, like navigating around the house or going to the store, eyesight is vital on a much deeper level. Think of how easy it is to communicate an entire feeling or idea with just a simple glance. Most experts would agree that the majority of communication is actually non-verbal. Body language plays a big role. If you are not able to pick up on these non-verbal cues because of diminished eyesight, communication can become more difficult. Glaucoma Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve placing increasing pressure on the eyeball. It is a condition that worsens over time and can gradually lead to loss of sight. Causes Glaucoma is caused by high pressure from excess fluid in the eye. This occurs when the liquid in the eye, called aqueous humor, is not circulating properly. Under normal conditions, the fluid is able to flow out of the eye through a mesh-like channel. If this passageway becomes blocked, it causes a fluid build-up resulting in glaucoma. Here are some possible causes: Genetics Blunt force eye damage Chemical damage – exposure to harmful substances Eye infections Blocked blood vessels Inflammation Symptoms Like with almost any disease or ailment, early diagnosis is crucial. What are some of the early warning signs? Loss of peripheral vision Red eyes Seeing halos or floaters around bright lights Eye pain Headaches Blurred vision Treatments If caught early enough,...
