At the time of writing this article, there have been approx. 115,000 novel coronavirus cases worldwide, resulting in 4,000 deaths. Canada sits low on the list of infected countries, with 77 confirmed cases – one resulting in death. Of those 4,000 worldwide deaths, almost every victim was in the 60-80+ age range. Early data has shown that older people are twice as likely to develop serious illness from COVID-19. This happens because as people age, their immune systems change, and it is harder for their body to fight off illness or infection – and if there are underlying health concerns, their bodies are already working much harder to cope. Therefore, seniors have been categorized as the most vulnerable class in this pandemic. Seniors and those caring for them must do everything they can to prevent exposure. The information about COVID-19 protection is frightening, especially if you or anyone you love falls within this vulnerable age range. But it is important to be familiar with the facts in order to differentiate from the rumours. COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China at the beginning of 2020. The first death occurred on January 11th. The virus is a flu-like respiratory illness which spreads through droplets of saliva that are carried in the air up to 6 feet away after an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can then be breathed in, land on surfaces, or be transferred through shaking hands or sharing drinks. There is no vaccine, because this particular strain of coronavirus has never been seen before. Infection can be avoided by following certain steps, similar to those used in avoiding the flu. Read also, 5 Ways Seniors Can Cope With Uncertainty During COVID-19 In late February, it was determined by the Journal of the American Medical Association that adults in the 30-79 age range resulted for 87% of the world’s cases of COVID-19. This is staggering. A study out of China showed that the average age for a COVID-19 patient who developed fluid in the lungs as a result of their illness was 61. In early January, it had already been reported that in China the average age of patients who died from the virus was 75 years old. In seniors with underlying lung conditions, the mortality rate for COVID-19 is 15%. For the older population, infection is a serious concern. A nursing home in Seattle became the epicentre for coronavirus in the United States after 10 deaths occurred there. On March 7th, B.C. declared an outbreak of 3 cases in a Vancouver nursing home, where two cases among residents and one among a worker were confirmed. People are being encouraged to refrain from visiting nursing homes, and if they must there is a large emphasis on following proper procedures. Experts have stated that the coronavirus pandemic is not going to fizzle out anytime soon. There are more and more cases confirmed every day. Some doctors have said that they do not believe the virus is containable; the best way to protect vulnerable populations would be a vaccine that doesn’t exist yet. 4 Ways to Protect Yourself and Others – COVID-19 Protection This is all very scary. Luckily, though the virus may not be containable, there are many steps people can take to be proactive against it. Wash Your Hands Often and Avoid Touching Your Face The first and most important step is being diligent about washing your hands and touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. This applies to all age groups. All across America and Canada, hand sanitizers and disinfecting products are on backorder. These products are very important for use in public spaces, but many people are becoming hysterical over the shortage. But these products are not absolutely necessary for use in the home. In reality, as long as no one in your house is sick, all you need while you are at home is soap and water. While out of the house, it is very important to not touch your face, your phone, or eat anything until you have washed or sanitized your hands with at least 60% alcohol hand sanitizer. Avoid “high-touch” surfaces like elevator buttons, bus poles, handrails, etc. wherever possible. If you used your phone while out of the home before washing your hands, you should clean it off with a disinfecting wipe before continuing use at home. Immediately when you arrive home, wash your hands. The proper way to wash your hands is to first wet your hands with clean water. Then lather them with soap on the front, back, between your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds – you can hum “Happy Birthday” from start to finish twice as a timer. Rinse your hands thoroughly and then dry with a paper towel or clean towel. Stay Home If You Feel Unwell In terms of the community, it is important that those who do not feel well stay home. If you develop flu-like symptoms, you must seek medical attention to be tested for the novel coronavirus. There are currently no at-home test kits. If you have recently travelled, it is important to limit physical contact with others for an incubation period of 2-14 days, even if you are feeling fine. It is possible to be an asymptomatic carrier, meaning that you show no symptoms of illness but can still pass on the virus. Begin Preparations Incase of an Outbreak in Your Community Seniors and people with severe chronic medical conditions are in the high-risk group for contracting COVID-19. Therefore, it is incredibly important that these groups are diligent about preparing for the risk. For high-risk individuals in Canada, preparations should begin now. Though it may seem unnecessary because Canada is still safe, this virus is unpredictable, and it is much better to be over-prepared than underprepared. As a precaution, those in the high-risk group should begin stocking up on everyday supplies like medications and food in case of an outbreak where they would have…
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In Canada, the death rates of senior pedestrians is rising frighteningly fast each year. In Toronto alone, the numbers are staggering. Data released by the Toronto Police shows that in 2016, the city saw its highest pedestrian death toll in eleven years; 44 fatalities. 67% of these victims were over 65 years old. Did the numbers peak there? Not at all. 2017 and 2018 each had 41 deaths, and 42 pedestrians lost their lives to vehicle collisions in 2019. 25 of these victims were seniors.  I had no clue of the severity of this issue when I began researching for this article, but what I’ve found has left me completely shocked. There seems to be a complete disregard for protecting the city’s most vulnerable from the city’s most commonly available weapon: dangerous drivers.  Between 2005 and 2016 alone, an estimated 870 seniors were killed or critically injured after being hit by vehicles in Toronto. It’s completely unacceptable. Frankly, it’s terrifying – I can’t imagine how it feels to be a senior that gets around on foot in a city where those statistics are the truth. Read about Michelinis find Justice in Toronto How is this happening? How has this been happening? In 2017, Toronto introduced Vision Zero as a comprehensive five-year plan to make the streets a safer place for all pedestrians. This was to be achieved through stricter enforcement of traffic laws and changes to the education of drivers. However, as we can see from the numbers I listed at the beginning of this article, any changes made haven’t been reflected in the numbers yet. Toronto noticed this too, and decided to make some amendments to their original plan. Mid-2019 saw the introduction of Vision Zero 2.0. In this new-and-improved plan, Mayor John Tory vowed to lower speed limits, create more mid-block crosswalks, increase the number of red-light cameras, change road designs, and add more signals to intersections for pedestrians. After studying streets in Scarborough, where 16 of 2018’s city-wide pedestrian deaths occurred, it was revealed that the lack of crosswalks may have played a substantial role in the fatalities. To get to a point of safe crossing, many people would have had to walk an average of an extra six minutes. This caused jaywalking to be a common occurrence, especially among seniors and school-age children for whom the extra time was daunting. Though jaywalking is dangerous, it is only illegal in Toronto when it interferes with traffic. So in a residential area, where it is expected that people will jaywalk rather than walk to the next crosswalk, why is the speed limit still so high? After Vision Zero 2.0 was announced, changes to speed limits on select streets were made immediately. Stickers were placed over signs until new ones could be made. Yet, even after these changes, Toronto’s average speed limit is 60 km/h. If a car is travelling at this speed, even someone in their physical prime has an 80-90% chance of being killed on impact. Thankfully, the average residential speed limit in Toronto now sits at 40 km/h, down from 50 km/h. This is an excellent improvement, though it can still mean serious sustained injuries for seniors. And that’s assuming that drivers will obey the laws and stick to the new speed limit rather than the previous one they’re used to. This difference in 10km/h, however small it may seem, can be deadly. Unfortunately, until we see real improvement and change in the way our roads are operating, there is not much for Toronto’s vulnerable population to do apart from educate themselves and be aware. This means wearing reflective clothing in the dark, only walking in designated walkways, staying aware of traffic, obeying the signals, taking earbuds out when crossing the road, looking both ways, making eye contact with the driver. (In the event you are hit by a car, experts recommend shielding your head, staying still once you hit the ground, and immediately calling for medical assistance even if you are not in pain.) But isn’t all of that common sense? Aren’t we as pedestrians doing that anyway? Doesn’t responsibility fall on the driver at this point? It is very well known that driving in Toronto is somewhat manic; there is common disregard for the rules of the road. Speeding, especially in non-congested areas, is all too common. In the case of pedestrian deaths, where the information was made available, the accidents were overwhelmingly caused by drivers in their early 20s. The city’s newest drivers are their most dangerous. Shouldn’t we be getting safer with every generation, not the other way around? In March of 2019, it was reported that already that year, 450 drivers had been taken off the road for speeding in the GTA. Of those drivers, more than 200 were between 18-25 years old. The city’s newest drivers are their most dangerous. I fall directly in the middle of that demographic. I’m one of the only people I know my age who doesn’t drive. I have a G1 license that is almost expired; I only use it for ID. All I had to do to get that license was study online for 10 minutes and then write a test. If I failed the test, I could rewrite and adjust my answers. With a G1 license I am allowed to drive as long as there is a sober G license holder in the car. With a G2 license I am rewarded pretty much all the same rights as a G driver. Drivers Ed is encouraged but not required to become a G2/G driver. Shouldn’t Drivers Ed be mandatory, with costs supplemented by the government? It’s a small price to pay to ensure safety on the roads. Without Driver’s Ed, before the driver even gets their G2, they could be picking up detrimental, hard to break habits that they don’t even know are dangerous. My parents ensured that my siblings all went through Driver’s Ed. I feel most comfortable when driving with them,…
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By Mattea Pyette My grandparents are Italian immigrants who arrived in Canada in 1948 and 1956. Both arrived by boat in Halifax and eventually settled in Sudbury, Ontario. They married in 1957. My mother is their second oldest child. I grew up a 7-hour drive away from them, slightly isolated not only by the distance but also by the language barrier. They both speak English, but I found their Italian accents hard to understand as a child and Canadian childhood nuances often got lost in translation. However, I still love and cherish time spent with them. My Nonno is 92 and my Nanna is 80 now. They are dutiful and hardworking people with their own unique personalities. When my mom called to verify the years they arrived in Canada, my Nanna giggled – why!? She supposes it was May when she was 17. My Nonno, in the background, called out in Italian with zero hesitation, ‘June 17th, 1948.’ My other set of grandparents died years before I was born. All I know of them is what I’ve learned in my father’s stories; my grandmother was a saint, and my grandfather was a character. I grew up not realizing that other kids were extremely close to their grandparents. When I was little, I had the tendency to think all my experiences were universal ones. Since I did grow up with a father old enough to be my grandfather, I wasn’t lacking in the presence of an older person in my life. But still, I’ve always wanted to know more about the dynamics in a close grandchild/grandparent relationship. So, in preparation for this article, I decided to sit down with my friends who hold this special bond. I spoke with my brother’s girlfriend, Kassandra Nuyten, whose Greek immigrant grandparents were a major part of her life in childhood and continue to be so. I also spoke with Mac Buchwald, whose grandfather was a rural Baptist minister at one church for 50 years. Read more about Rethink Aging With Colin Milner Kassandra Nuyten is a 26-year-old library assistant at Western University. She graduated from Western with a degree in Classics. Kass was on the Dean’s List and had the highest mark in her program’s graduating class. She returned to Western for a masters in Library Information Sciences, and secured her current job the day after her masters graduation. I have known Kass very well for seven years. She is the most hardworking person I know. She is also probably the smartest; whenever I learn a new obscure tidbit of information, I ask Kass what she knows about that thing just to test her. Nine times out of ten she already knew what I’d just learned. She credits this determination to her grandparents’ heavy involvement in her life, and their insistence on a University education for her. Yiayia and Pappou came to Canada from Cyprus in the early 1960s. They decided on London, Ontario by accident – Pappou thought London meant England. Yiayia worked in a sewing factory and Pappou was a welder for GM. When I decided to do a piece on close relationships with grandparents, Kass was the first person I knew I would be interviewing. She talks about her grandparents more than anyone I know. She sees them at least once or twice a week on a regular basis. I start out by asking Kass the impact her grandparents have on her life. She beams. “Oh, the biggest. They were the most important people in raising me. They’re really involved in my life. The whole thing, since birth to now. Their approval is still everything. In my entire family they pretty much run everything.” Kassandra’s parents split up when she was six. Leading up to their split, her mother had only just started working part-time. Yiayia had retired from work after injuring her hand in the sewing factory, so she was available to take care of Kass and her brother, Andrew. Their grandparents’ house was their daycare. When Pappou retired, he had a routine of coming over every morning, making breakfast, letting Kass and Andrew watch TV while they ate, packing their lunches, and driving them to school. Then he’d walk over to pick them up after school. When it rained, he showed up with a big golf umbrella and the three of them would walk home together holding hands. They’d stay at their grandparents until their mom arrived home from work, then the five of them would have dinner as a family. Kass would do her homework at the dinner table every night. Yiayia would grill her on her timetables. I ask Kass if she thinks her work ethic and dedication to higher education comes from this influence. “Oh yeah. Like, when I was a kid, the epitome for me was always ‘You have to go to University.’ I think because both of them never finished their education. So to them, education meant you could have a higher social class and do better. There were a lot of people that they knew when they came here had who done more education and ended up getting better jobs in Canada because of it.” Did she ever wish her grandparents weren’t so hard on her? “I think when I was going through it, it always frustrated me because I never understood why they were so hard on me. They actually stopped putting so much pressure as soon as I got to University, because I’d gotten to the point they expected me to. But because of the time I’ve spent with them as an adult I also came to understand where it came from.” Apart from going to university, did her grandparents ever give her any major pieces of advice? Kass snickers at this; “Like, positive advice?” I laugh too, thinking of stories she’s told me of her grandmother’s critical nature, and tell her it could go either way. She pauses for a moment. “My Pappou would always say to be grateful…
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Growing up the youngest daughter of a newspaper giant 50+ years my senior By Mattea Pyette In 1963, at just 17 years old, my dad began working as a sportswriter in his hometown, Sault Ste. Marie. The 41-year journalism career that followed has always seemed a whirlwind to me. The youngest of his eight children, I grew up with the luxury of a retired father who was happy to spend his time sitting by the window on a rainy day when he’d let me play hooky, regaling me with tales about his colleagues I’d never met, news events I’d never heard of, and countless other life lessons I didn’t need yet. He always made sure I followed, and I took everything he said as the full truth. Thanks to him, I always knew a bit too much for my age and wasn’t afraid to let people know. I can remember telling a friend’s mom when I was about 7 years old, “Don’t you know you can’t sell your house until you’ve already bought a new one?” because that’s how my dad said that was done. When I was five or six years old, my dad made me up business cards that stated my position as his personal assistant, with his phone number listed. I was very proud. I handed them out to all my friends, drew on the backs of them, and used them to make up my own card games. My duties as personal assistant included helping him find his keys, asking him to buy me candy, and helping him use his computer. My dad was 53 when I was born, but he had his first child at 20. I have four half-sisters, one sister, and two brothers. I used to love how confused my teachers got when I explained this dynamic. He’d come to pick me up from school, and they’d announce that my grandfather was here, to which I’d proudly correct them “No, that’s my dad. He was married four times and has eight kids and I am the youngest.” I usually tried to explain even further, but someone would cut me off. A boy at school called me an accident once, and I swore at him at recess. My brothers and sister and I got more time with our dad than my half-sisters did. He retired when I was four, which meant my brothers were six and ten, and my sister was eight. It was clear he didn’t really have experience raising children despite his previous four, but we wouldn’t have had it any other way. My mother was the angel of the house. She cooked gourmet, cleaned immaculately, dressed us adorably, taught us our manners, helped us with our homework, made sure we didn’t watch too much TV, taught us to read and tie our shoes. She was a perfect mother. Our dad was another kid for us to hang out with. He would bang on his guitar and sing Elvis songs, play hockey on the carpet with mini sticks, let us play our video games for too long. He didn’t make us wear our slippers inside. When he dressed us, our clothes would be all mismatched. When he was in charge of dinner, we had whatever we felt like; I have one distinct memory of us being absolutely stoked over having Jos Louis snack cakes for dinner. The tooth fairy would give me twenty dollars per tooth at his house. I don’t mention these instances to undermine my father’s parenting, I mention them to illustrate the childlike joy and wonder I’ve always associated with my father’s role in my early childhood. My parents separated when I was five. I am incredibly fortunate in that my dad stayed close by, only living a few blocks away. Suddenly, I had two houses. My mom’s house became where life was lived, and my dad’s place was a sort of escape. It was a funhouse. He would let us stay up late and watch PG-13 movies. I used to jump on the couch while he played his guitar and sang about me, calling me a rock star in his songs. He always made me feel like a star. When I was about 11, my duties as my dad’s personal assistant shifted to a sort of nurse role. Following a few years of irregular chest pain that I didn’t really know about, he had a quadruple bypass. Leading up to and following his surgery, he was in bed a lot. I stayed home from school all the time and spent most of my time at his house with him – I’d already been doing this, but now I had an excuse to do it even more frequently.  I’d always known my dad was a lot older and can remember realizing his mortality for the first time when I was about eight, but I never seriously thought about what that meant until around this time. After the surgery, we all helped out a lot, and my half-sisters who I hadn’t really met before came back into his life, but I always felt like my dad was my responsibility more than anyone else’s. I looked after him a lot, cooked for him, and sat on his bed with him while he napped. He used to habitually check his blood pressure and record it in a notebook that he used as a health diary. I’d help him look back and compare the numbers to see how he was progressing. By the time I went into high school at 13, he was a lot better and mostly back to himself, though the occasional scares and off-days would absolutely terrify me. They still do. When I lived inside my dad being sick, it felt like an eternity. But now it looks more like a blip. On a snowy Wednesday afternoon, I sat down to have a lengthy conversation with my dad as I so often have before, but this time we recorded it.…
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There’s no place like home. It’s an often-shared wish, heard over and over again – “I want to stay in my own home.” The good news is that with the right help you can do just that. Many seniors are aging in place, and it’s easier than ever because there’s so much support out there to help you to live independently, stress-free and where you want to be. Stay happily in your home, and keep your home healthy too, with our seven rules: Make a budget: If you have the financial means to stay in your home, then that’s a bonus! There’ll be the regular monthly bills, along with costs for home maintenance, modifications and bringing in help with the chores and tasks that you can’t or don’t want to do anymore. Remember there are loads of age-related discounts out there, so don’t be shy about asking, even if it’s not advertised. You may find that you need help paying bills and banking, and even filling out things like insurance forms. Ask a trusted family member or friend or even a financial professional who’s been referred to you by a trusted source. If you have a computer, pay your bills online, or have your monthly bills paid automatically out of your bank account. Have a plan: Keeping on top of what needs to be done and when it allows you to age gracefully and peacefully. Don’t let things slide. Prevention is easier than full-on intervention – if you keep up with home maintenance and must-dos, inside and out, your house will stay in working order and alleviate a lot of stress and anxiety. Things like minding your landscape keep your home’s value makes your yard more inviting to spend time in and lets people know someone lives there. Hire a reputable seniors management company, like Custodia, to help regularly with yard tasks, home repairs, and maintenance. Don’t let little issues become big, expensive problems. Check out Grandparents: Young Perspectives. Order in: And not just meals, although there are lots of programs that’ll deliver hot meals to your door at low-cost. Grocery stores and drug stores will also happily take your order over the phone and online, and deliver the items to your door. Even dry cleaners will pick up and deliver your clothes. Ordering up help with boring chores like housecleaning, laundry and lawn cutting can help you stay in your home, and make time for things you enjoy – like going to a nearby seniors centre or church program to socialize. Be safe rather than sorry: Home features can help or hinder your ability to stay in your home safely, independently and comfortably. Put in as many home modifications as you possibly can – and before you need them. Consider things like a ramp at the front door, non-slip floors, grab bars in the bathroom, walk-in shower, wider doorways, lever door handles, higher electrical outlets and lower electrical switches. Install another set of eyes with a security camera, and outdoor motion sensor lights are definitely a good idea too. Who are you going to call? If you live alone and are afraid of falling or getting sick, consider getting a personal alert system that allows you to call for help in emergencies. There is typically a monthly fee for this. Also, go out of your way to know your neighbours so you can keep an eye out on one another. Programing the phone numbers of family, friends, and neighbours into your phone is a big help. Be social. Isolation is a major risk to your health and independence so stay connected socially. See family and friends often and participate in community centre programs. Get out and volunteer or take up a new hobby. If you have access to a smartphone, a quick text or FaceTime chat can provide continued connection to family and friends. If you’re no longer driving, there are volunteer services to take you to the doctor or shopping. Trade-off with a neighbour or friend – they drive you to get groceries and you cook for them once a week. (Read about, How To Prepare An Aging Brain To Re-enter The Workforce?) Part with possessions. Declutter along the way so your stuff doesn’t cause safety issues or grow into a major burden for your heirs later in life. Whether your downsizing or staying in your home forever, reducing your possessions reduces stress, let’s you access what you want easily, and maneuver safely and easily through the house. Start by making it a regular practice – set aside one hour on a certain day every week, Take it drawer by drawer. Then work on closets and rooms. If you physically can’t do this on your own, a reputable and reliable seniors management company like Custodia can help lighten the load.

“The problem with not asking for help and setting up the right support early is that it can overwhelm them from trying to keep up with all of the chores and repairs”. Aging at home is what most seniors want, but it can become a major source of anxiety. There’s a lot do around any house, and unfortunately, aging brings unwelcome issues like lack of mobility, poor flexibility, and worsening eyesight. Over time, houses need maintenance and upkeep, and worrying about what needs to be done and isn’t getting done can be so overwhelming that it impacts health and overall wellbeing. It’s well known that anxiety and stress are happiness zappers, silent enemies that chip away at your confidence, comfort and wellbeing, triggering depression, sleep problems, memory impairment and chronic heart disease. So you need to ask yourself if your home is helping or hurting you? Sure, you want to stay in the family home but is it the right place to age? Well it sure can be! By putting into place the right in-home supports and retrofits, aging in your beloved home doesn’t have to be stressful and scary, say health experts. You can age happy and healthy in place, says wellness expert Beverly Beuermann-King. “Canadians are living longer, staying healthier longer and are staying independent and mobile longer. For many the sign of healthy brain aging is being able to live independently in their own home.”  According to AARP research, nearly 90% of people over age 65 want to stay at home for as long as possible. “As we age, tasks that were once done easily and quickly may become more difficult.  As long as it doesn’t affect our standard of living, or impede our health and safety, we can continue to live independently, in our own homes, as we age,” says Beuermann-King, of worksmartlivesmart.com.| But fail to plan and you may plan to fail: By looking for ways that can increase independence – and that means by reaching out and getting support for daily tasks and home upkeep – you’re good to go, she says. Studies show that the loss of independence is more fearful than dying and living at home allows the retention of independence. Needing assistance is not a sign of weakness – it’s the reality.  “The problem with not asking for help and setting up the right supports early is that it can overwhelm them from trying to keep up with all of the chores and repairs in the home, and/or falls and injuries that could have been prevented through repair, support and adaptations,” says Beuermann-King. Act now and age in the right place happily ever after. Aging is not something to fear. According to aging expert Dr. Jennifer Baumbusch, “we are inundated with negative stories about aging, and many of us have negative experiences with the health and social care systems with our older relatives. These experiences understandably create a lot of worry and anxiety about becoming a frail, older adult.” Read also, The Future Of Aging. The majority of older adults are relatively healthy, says Baumbusch, researcher and professor at UBC School of Nursing. “Most of us only spend a short period of our lives – near the end of life – in advanced frailty and dependence. What is critical is that people approach aging with their eyes wide open. What I mean by this is that proactive planning is the best approach to aging in your own home.” Aging at home gives you more control over your life and more choices about how you spend your time. If there’s no place like home, get planning now with these tips from the experts: 

On Monday morning, our founder, Geoff Whitlock, woke up to a Tweet from the Toronto Star stating that the Michelinis where being harassed by the city to cut grass on city-owned property or face a fine. Seeing this, Geoff immediately went out and loaded up his lawn mower and batteries and headed for the 30-minute drive to the home on Lauder Ave.  He was excited to help, but certainly, someone would have looked after it by the time he arrived. Unfortunately, no one had stepped up to help them yet, so he parked his Charger, unloaded the lawn mower and went about cutting the grass and bagging up the cuttings. Shortly thereafter, a news camera showed up to take some pictures and ask a few questions and people started to gather around the home. Geoff completed the work and accepted a nice cold glass of water from Mr. and Mrs. Michelini and got to chatting.  He learned all about the story behind the issue and the events leading up to today. Shortly after Geoff got back to the Custodia office, he began getting calls from friends and family about the story.  It was online, written and video by noon the same day It was the most read story on CTV News for over 48 hours ending in over 80,000 reads and hundreds of shares in social media.  The Toronto Star had bigger numbers on than that. The Mayor ended up Tweeting to thank Geoff (the good Samaritan)  and to order that the grass be cut by the city moving forward. People really care about others, they want to make sure things are ok.  People are good.  This story has really lifted our spirits and our love for the Mayor.  Keep it up, John Tory. Click here to read more about this.

ETOBICOKE, May 2019 — Just a few short months since opening, Custodia Seniors Support has booked over 1,000 home service visits for seniors. The company is projected to reach over 3,000 home services visits in their first fiscal year, 2019. With a 5-star rating on Google and an A rating on BBB, Custodia has really started off on the right foot, helping seniors and their families get the help they need around the home. Custodia was founded with the goal of helping millions of seniors get the help they need all year, for a price that fits within a fixed income budget. So far, hundreds of seniors have signed up to our exclusive Home Management Plans. We are in this business to serve seniors and their families, and to help them relieve anxiety and stress so they can live at home longer. Seniors need the reliable help to keep things safe and sound around the home, and Custodia is happy to help. To learn more, visit our home page a www.gocustodia.com or call the hotline at 1-833-410-4357.

This grandma can lift more than you Some grandmothers bake cookies, some crochet, and some still work the 9-5 grind, but not too many can claim to lift more than the weight of most men in their 20s. Meet Edith-Wilma Connor – mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother extraordinaire and Guiness Book of World Records holder. Meet with My Father’s Daughter In May 2012, just in time to celebrate Mother’s Day, Edith-Wilma Connor of Denver, reached for and won an unusual honor for her age.  She was named the Guiness World Records’ “Oldest Living Female Bodybuilder”, after she competed in the NPC Armburst Pro Gym Warrior Classic Bodybuilding Championship. Yes, you read that correctly, at 77- years old then, now 83, Edith-Wilma Connor is a competitive bodybuilder, business owner, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. According to CBS News Sporty Seniors, she won first place in the first competition she entered – the Grand Masters in Las Vegas – on her 65th birthday. It takes some people a number of years to reach this level and some never do, but Mrs. Connor? She was a spring chicken, getting her bodybuilding start in her early 60s, when she thought her data entry job made her too stagnant. Twenty years ago, her data entry business kept her at her desk up to 10-hours a day. She needed to move, so she took up bodybuilding. In last year’s Viera Voice article, in the Senior Living section, Connor explained, “It was a tension releaser. I sit at a computer all day, so it was one way for me to take it out on the weights instead of the employees.” Edith’s routine is simple: In addition to her above routine, she does step-aerobics with her great-granddaughter. Her oldest grandson is her personal trainer, and armed with her own personal trainer certification, she shares her knowledge as a coach for an over-50 group of women with a focus on the mature body. With advancements in modern medical technology, the rise of healthy living at every age, and a new lease on life for independent seniors, we have more time than ever to connect with our elders. We all have goals, aspirations, family and expectations, and we are constantly on the lookout for stories to inspire and drive us. Life doesn’t end at 65, 70 or even 100 for that matter. For some, over 60 is only the beginning. Are you 65 or older and have an amazing story to tell? We want to hear from you. We want to hear stories about seniors that break the mould, think Edith-Wilma Connor 83-year old competitive bodybuilder and Guiness Book of World Record holder. Or maybe someone like Hiroshi Hoketsu, oldest athlete in the 2012 London Olympic Games, now eyeing the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as a horse jockey. These are just a few ideas to get you started. Do you know any amazing older adults that we can feature on our Blog?   Let us know in the comments below. PHOTO CREDIT: Guinness Book of World Records

January is an important month for Elderable Members, as it marks the first month of a new year. Your stimulus for this January home maintenance is; Refresh, Restart, Rethink. We all go over what happened last year and commit to do it better this coming year. Estimated time for this maintenance: 3 hours This months visit covers: This January Home Maintenance checklist is for education and entertainment only, if you need assistance, please contact service@elderable.com.