Local experts believe the nation’s capital does a good job providing for its elders Although Donna Hicks is visually impaired, she says she can get around the capital easily. “It’s part of what makes Ottawa special.” Hicks, a volunteer fundraiser […]
CARP
Getting older, staying home
NORCs — naturally occurring retirement communities — allow older adults an alternative to seniors’ housing You may not realize it, but you probably have a NORC in your neighbourhood. That’s what Mary Lou Kelley says. Even after spending years as […]
A quiet discrimination
One in five Canadians will be over the age of 65 by 2030, yet the World Health Organization states that ageism is a global health epidemic “Ageism—the bias or prejudice based on age—continues to be socially acceptable, going largely unnoticed,” […]
Friendship after 40
Having meaningful connections helps people to live longer “Having good relationships and good friendships is the best thing you can do to live longer.” That’s according to Sue McGarvie, an Ottawa clinical sex and relationship counselor. “Study after study indicates […]
Where there’s a will, there’s a plan
Change your will as your life changes, experts say Making a will is all about the big picture. “It’s about what you want, how you want your estate managed, and how to achieve it,” says Heather Austin-Skaret, a co-managing partner […]
All the lonely people
Loneliness is individual, complicated and situational—and can affect people of all ages Social isolation—being alone—was a devastating factor during the COVID-19 pandemic in long-term care homes, contributing to feelings of loneliness and negative impacts on both the physical and […]
A lifelong affair
Whether they sign up for dance instruction or a lecture series, seniors can benefit from heading back to class You make sure to get your steps in everyday, have a workout buddy and a membership to the gym. But Dr. […]
Under one roof
Multi-generational housing—with a twist—is the way of the future for many families At 71, Rita St. George is still very active. The last thing her son Bisher Hanania wanted was to put her in a retirement home, but for […]
The heart of the matter
Most people are unaware that heart disease is the Number 1 killer of women The last thing Sarah Fields expected was to be a patient at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Fields had always been an active person. The […]
Together, apart
Cohousing allows the best of both worlds — privacy and independence and a sense of community When Mary Huang began researching housing options for her aging parents in 2016, she came across the concept of cohousing. The Ottawa resident quickly […]