Ray Smith will never forget the final months of 2018. "I remember sitting in my house feeling so sorry for myself," said the 70-year-old about the loss of his spouse that September."My wife had been my companion, my confidante, my friend,” said Smith, who lives alone in Ajax, Ontario. “I've...
Trapped Caring for an Elderly Parent? A Tale of Two Women Whose Families Found Relief
We love helping our moms and dads. But if you feel trapped caring for an elderly parent, this story’s for you. Meet Tricia and Heather. They were very much alike. Both juggled busy careers with demanding household tasks. Both were sandwich-generation women with older teenagers. Both lived near Yonge and...
The Benefits of Home Care Over Retirement Community Living
What if you could live independently in your home for the rest of your life? Many Canadians dream of aging in place. Are you one of them? By aging or living in place, we mean either staying in your current home or downsizing into a new home that’s a better...
How One Family Knew It Was Time for Memory Care: 4 Warning Signs
Jan McIntyre’s mother-in-law Ersilia has Alzheimer’s disease. One frosty February day, Ersilia descended from her cozy condo unit into the snowy streets below. It was her first attempt at wandering. Like an icy wind blast, a bitter realization hit McIntyre then and there. The whole family knew it: It was...
Portable Oxygen Concentrators: A Liberating Alternative to Tanks
If you supplement your breathing with home oxygen therapy, are you satisfied with your equipment? According to Alex Bah, a registered respiratory therapist at InspiAIR, many patients believe a heavy oxygen tank is their only alternative. “A lot of users are not aware that they have the freedom to choose an...
Getting in Shape After 50: The Benefits of Physical Fitness
Lisa Campbell*, a 53-year-old teacher, thinks everyone should be getting in shape after the age of 50. She embraces physical fitness and works out to ward off dementia. “All the women in my family had Alzheimer's disease. I'm trying to do as much as I can to guard against cognitive...