Editorial Page

• Choosing the Right Place To Call Home:

Seniors who are considering their care options should be aware that the operation of a retirement residence is not regulated by the Province of Ontario. As a result, there is a wide range of quality in retirement residences across the province.

ORCA is a non-profit organization established in 1977 that sets professional operating standards, inspects and accredits retirement residences in Ontario. ORCA membership is voluntary - not all retirement residences are ORCA approved. ORCA approved residents are the only ones that meet independent accreditation standards. ORCA represents about 60% of the sector in Ontario.

To protect consumers, ORCA has developed an extensive set of professional standards that all members must meet and maintain. ORCA regularly audits its members to ensure compliance.

Those searching for a retirement residences should ask for proof of ORCA membership and look for the ORCA logo and certificates in the main entrances of the residence.

ORCA recommends that seniors and their families researching their choices take time to visit at least three residences, to go prepared with questions, and to talk with residents and staff in the residence. The best way to get a strong feeling about a place is to “kick the tires” by having a complimentary meal or arranging for a trial stay.

ORCA operates a government-funded hotline that the public can call to get information about retirement living and help understanding the options available in their community. The public can also get help resolving a complaint about any retirement residence, not just an ORCA approved residences.

Anyone wanting more information about retirement living and the other care options available, should call ORCA at 1-800-361-7254 to request The Care Guide, a free consumer directory. Information is also posted on ORCA’s website at ww.orca-homes.com.

• How To Age Successfully

Successful Aging:
Tips to Make it Happen!

Article –by Lee Stones
2003

Bob Dillon was supposed to have said when he reached fifty plus that if he had known he was going to live that long, he would have taken better care of himself. I guess that means more than his saying he wouldn’t have smoked or drank a lot. There is a big lesson in what he said for all of us Baby Boomers – us folk on the other side of forty. It may well be time to make some choices about aging successfully. If we don’t make those choices, our bodies may make them for us. The exception would be if you are blessed with good genes, wear your seat belt and if you are fortunate enough to have money to live well, you may even achieve healthy old age without making many choices. However, for the majority of us boomers- making choices about staying as healthy as we can - will be quite important, if we are to have ongoing quality in an ongoing life.
We are living longer than we ever have before. This is due in large part to medical science for helping to lower infant mortality and to some amazing drugs and procedures, which keep the grim reaper away considerably longer than used to be the case. But it is vital to be alive with as much health and vigor as possible - to ensure a quality of life - to these extra years of life. So, how can we do that? How can we age as successfully as possible?

1. First, let us talk about attitude. If you think and act in a negative manner, if you feel your cup is half-empty, if you refuse to see the bright side, it will affect how you feel and how others feel about you. Ask yourself, would you choose to spend time with a positive, upbeat individual? Or would you prefer the company of someone who whines like a spoiled five-year-old, gossips about others, and who has multiple ailments and troubles? You make a choice every time someone asks how you are. Are you the one who hasn’t heard from the kids for weeks, whose arthritis is giving you a hard time, who has waited for months to see a specialist? Or…are you the one takes joy in being alive, relishes your family and friends and deals with adversity with a let’s take charge attitude. Work on being as positive as possible. If you don’t feel it, fake it. Your body will respond well if you fake it - pretty soon, you may well feel it, too. People will warm to you and want to be around you.
   
   
2. Regular check-ups & vaccinations: These are truly important. Check-ups provide baselines on your health - these are vital should you get sick. On an on-going basis, check-ups allow your doctor to monitor how you are doing; they are invaluable for early detection of what could be serious problems later. For example, 120/80 is normal for blood pressure readings. If yours is slowly creeping up, regular check-ups can catch it before it becomes a serious issue. You should also know your cholesterol readings, have your weight monitored, be sure your bones are healthy and get routine blood work done - again - to pick up problems early. Having a one time shot against pneumonia may be a good idea, flu shots in the fall can keep you healthy and having regular shots for things like tetnus can safe guard your health. Females need breast exams; mammograms and pap tests; males are wise to get regular prostate screening. Women tend to go for check-ups on a reasonably regular basis; men on the other hand, tend not to. We encourage both genders to invest in their health. You would neglect your car by not checking the oil and the brakes, why would you be less careful about your body?
   
   
3. Dental check-ups: Seeing your dentist is a smart way to ensure your teeth and gums don’t provide a breeding ground for cavities and gum disease. Cavities can be painful and loosing teeth will seriously compromise your ability to chew your food. There is increasing evidence that infections in the gum area could have repercussions for heart health. Bleeding gums need to be dealt with promtly. Why not play it safe, pop off to your dentist and hygienist every 6 months.
   
   
4. Fitness – cardio and weight training: We all need to use our bodies to maximize our health. To have a healthy cardio system you need to find an exercise you enjoy - like treadmilling, brisk walking, biking or maybe a combination of things - and get your heart rate up and your body sweating for 30 to 60 minutes, at least 5 days a week. It will give you huge benefits - like feeling fit, handling stress better, better self esteem, improving your mood and giving you more immunity against illness. On top of this, strength training by lifting weights builds and maintains the muscles you need to function optimally. Or you may choose to do Yoga or Tai chi or some other activity to have good muscle tone. Our bodies were meant to move. To stay strong, to ensure your independence and mobility, get as fit as you can. If you get winded just walking a couple of flights of stairs, if an hour's walk is beyond you, your body is telling you - big time - you need to get active!
   
   
5. Mental fitness/ongoing learning: In addition to physical activity, it has long been recognized that we need to keep our minds active. If we don’t use it, we may lose it. Throughout our lives it is essential to challenge our gray matter by learning new things, by acquiring new skills. Sitting in front of the TV for hours won’t help. We need to be doing things like reading, taking courses, using the computer, doing crossword puzzles, and any activity that exercises the brain. People who are always reaching out, learning new things, are fun to be with; they are bound to benefit from this on-going mental workout. As we get older we tend to blame forgetfulness on aging. Memory problems are mostly related to stress, not to aging like people think. Using your brain fully will ensure you keep a sharp mind.
   
   
6. Eating well: In these times of fast food and hectic schedules, it is not always easy to eat a healthy diet, however, it is important to fuel your body with as much nutritious food as possible. Getting lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, fish, lentils and low fat protein, are the best choices. Try to avoid high fat, processed foods or have them only occasionally. It is tough for your body to give you vitality and health if you don’t provide it with healthy basics. It is also important to keep things like coffee and alcohol to reasonable amounts and make sure you drink lots of water daily - 6 to 8 glasses is perfect.
   
   
7. Getting sufficient zzzz’s: Sleeping well is an important factor throughout our lives. It is a time for the body to rest and to repair what we have done to it - by tearing around during the day. People differ in how much they need, but all of us need anywhere from 6 to 8 hours nightly. If we don’t sleep well, we soon feel out of sorts and weary. Turn off the late night TV, get a warm glass of milk, imagine yourself in a beautiful place or read a boring book and voila, away you drift. Try not to worry at bedtime. If you are troubled, write down your problems to deal with the next day and then turn your thoughts to relaxing and peaceful thoughts. You choose to worry, choose not to – for your health’s sake. Always ask yourself, will this really matter 6 months from now. Usually it won't.
   
   
8. Relaxation techniques: We wear our bodies down stressing about huge numbers of things. Some we can change, some we cannot, but we still fret about them all nonetheless. In the Programs section of this web site we have an area called Stress Management. Go there and you will discover all you need to know about deep breathing, muscle relaxation, visualization and meditation. Light a couple of candles, put on some soft and soothing music and find peace and healing. These practices work wonders!
   
   
9. Connecting with others: Social supports are an integral part of our human core needs. We are pack animals; we need each other to enjoy so many aspects of living.
   All of us need three basic things. We need someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to. By finding joy in friendships, by sharing and trusting and communicating with others, we benefit enormously. No man is an island; no person can stand-alone forever. Reach out, make new friends as often as possible, judge others less harshly and open up to having many encounters with family and friends and acquaintances.
   
   
10. Smell the roses, count your blessings: Don’t wait until it is too late to put value on the people and important things in your life. Your family and friends, your health and all the things that matter to you - are priceless. Cherish them daily, rejoice in them always. Try new things, dare to bring back the child in you, take yourself less seriously, laugh much more. It will do you good! Let the housework chores wait more often, let go of guilt and nagging feelings of things still to do, slow down and watch with wonder, as often as possible, the world and the simple joys you have. If you do, you’ll experience life to the fullest, to the healthiest!
    

Last but very important:
Drink in moderation. A social drink or two is a delightful way to relax. Most of us enjoy a cool beer on a summer day or a good red wine with a meal. Drinking more than that, however, can have a negative impact on your health. Moderation is the key here.

Don't smoke! Smoking can play a huge role in breaking down your health. Lung and respiratory diseases, heart disease, cancer and more - are all posible outcomes of smoking. The good news is if you stop smoking, the body does an amazing job of repairing the damage caused by the dreaded tobacco. Cigarettes are designed to keep you addicted - so it will be tough to quit - but you can do it! See your health care provider for assistance with overcoming this potentially deadly habit.