Avoid Investment Fraudsters
This guest post is courtesy of the Alberta Securities Commission. Many people approaching - or already in - retirement are looking to maximize the returns on their savings and investments. Sadly, many fall victim to fraudsters who are skilled at preying on our emotions, insecurities and vulnerability at this critical time. Up to 27% of Canadians have been approached with a possible fraudulent investment. Older persons are targeted for several reasons, but often because they are perceived to have the most disposable income or...
read moreThe Art of Aging - Conference
ElderWise was a featured speaker at this event, exploring the themes of house and home, downsizing and housing options for older adults.
read moreBeyond Age Rage: My Generation Speaker Series
To view, print and share the event poster, click on the attachment below. Kerby nov 2 12.pdf
read more“Just in Case” Conversations
If your summer travel plans include a long-distance visit with aging parents, why not use the opportunity to do some “just in case” planning? The relaxed pace of summer may offer a friendly environment in which to reflect and plan ahead. Also, being face-to-face may allow you to accomplish more than planning from a distance. Here are five tips for getting started, whether you are travelling across town or across the country! 1. Take note of warning signs that your parents may not be coping as well as before. Check for changes in these...
read moreTrue or False? Questions About Aging and Elder Care
Here are some frequently asked (or “thought-about”) questions from employed baby boomers who have elder care responsibilities. Take the quiz and compare your answers to the Answer Guide below: 1. Most older people are set in their ways and unable to change. 2. Because of a looming shortage of care beds, we should encourage our parents to get on a wait list sooner than later. 3. Memory lapses are NOT always a sign of Alzheimer Disease. 4. About 20% of middle-aged and older workers are caring for aging relatives as well as...
read moreAvoiding Danger @ Home
Safety, including safety in and around our homes, becomes more top-of-mind as we age. Why be concerned? As we grow older, we gradually lose some of our physical strength and mobility. Reflexes may slow, affecting the speed with which we can react to dangerous situations. While some of our cognitive functions actually improve as we get older, others start to slow or decline. This may start happening as early as in our mid-50’s – even for otherwise healthy people! Our home is a good place to start when evaluating our overall safety. Performing...
read moreTips for Staying At Home…SAFELY
This tipsheet focuses on safety measures you can take to: 1) Be prepared in case of a medical emergency at home. 2) Avoid or minimize the chances of a fall For older persons living alone, a regular “check-in” system is our first line of defense. Friends and neighbours who see or call each other daily are often the first to know if something is amiss. If you don’t answer the phone according to a normal schedule, who can look in on you (or your parent)? Make arrangements with a neighbor or close-by friend. Alternately, have a...
read moreBeware of “Helping” Strangers - Especially in Pairs
Following is a true story one of our ElderWise subscribers shared with us recently. It’s a cautionary tale – not only about letting uninvited persons into your home, but also the potential of your personal information being used by criminals. “My mother was robbed in her home in the Toronto area last week by two women posing as social workers and I want to warn others about this kind of robbery and fraud. My sister had died of cancer about 10 days earlier. My 83 yr old mother, who lives alone in her big house, had a visit from two...
read moreChoosing and Using A Walking Cane
Have you resisted using a cane because you think it makes you look “old”? Have you opted for feeling unsteady or tense, instead of using a tool that provides balance and support, greater safety and confidence? It’s no secret that older persons are at greater risk for falls; what’s truly frightening is that more than 40% of nursing home admissions can be traced back to a fall. Canes don’t have to signal decrepitude. True, some canes are designed completely for function, but others do acknowledge fashion. Just search “walking canes” on the...
read moreChoosing and Using A Walker
A “walker” is a device with wheels that is designed to provide support and balance to an individual who cannot walk without assistance. For some, a walker is a temporary aid during rehabilitation or recovery from injury or surgery. For others, a walker provides essential support for ambulation and must be used at all times. Individual needs fall somewhere along this continuum and may change over time. For example: J. was 58 when he required hip surgery. For a brief time after the surgery, he used a walker for support. M. was 85...
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