In Canada, understanding who qualifies for home care is essential for individuals facing various health challenges that impact daily living. Whether due to age-related concerns, a severe injury, or a chronic illness, many people struggle with basic tasks such as meal preparation, shopping, bathing, dressing, and mobility. Home care services provide vital assistance to those who qualify, offering support to maintain independence and quality of life. So, for individuals like these, special home care services are designed so they can receive assistance in their daily tasks at their homes. These services aim to make living more manageable and more comfortable for people who are already struggling with their medical conditions or who are recovering from hospitalization. However, when looking for home care services, individuals have to choose between public or private home care services. Both options come with their pros and cons, but the purpose is to offer personal assistance to individuals who need it the most. When considering these options, you should have proper knowledge and understanding of how these home care services work and how you can access them to receive the care.  In the article below, we will walk you through how home care in Ontario works, what the eligibility criteria are for publicly funded home care, and how you can access these services. We will also discuss private home care services and why people are exploring this option as well. So, let’s dive into the article. Overview of Home Care in Ontario? As people age, the simplest of the home tasks become difficult for them to complete. This is primarily due to a number of factors, including age, complex health needs, chronic conditions, and physical disabilities. Therefore, individuals with these issues often need personal or medical assistance at home to meet their daily living needs. In this regard, Ontario Health at Home offers home care and personal support to people of all ages. Whether you are recovering after hospitalization or have an injury, these services are designed to make your life easier so you can live comfortably in your home. Home care refers to a wide range of services that provide personal assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and mobility. Additionally, if an individual needs help with grocery shopping, meal preparation, and light housekeeping, home care services take care of that as well.  However, when exploring home care options available for residents in Ontario, individuals can choose between publicly funded and private home care services. The most preferred way is to access publicly funded home care in Ontario. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may receive personal support with services such as nursing, homemaking, physiotherapy, or personal support. However, this type of home care is usually reserved for individuals facing medical, physical, or cognitive challenges that limit their ability to live a comfortable life at home.  The second option is private home care services that are usually paid for by the individuals themselves or their families. One of the biggest benefits of accessing private home care in Ontario is the flexibility to customize the services based on your specific needs and preferences. Sure, they can be expensive compared to public home care services, but there is a wide range of services offered in private home care.  Companies like Custodia in Ontario are one of the go-to choices for individuals who want to access a range of services that provide personal support with handyman tasks and other daily activities.  Eligibility Criteria for Publicly Funded Home Care in Ontario It is important to know that municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, and private organizations operate long-term publicly funded home care support. These organizations offer much-needed healthcare and support to individuals with little to no income. In order to access publicly-funded home care support in Ontario, you have to meet specific eligibility criteria set out by the government.  However, to maintain the quality of service and equity in the system, Ontario has a set of rules and regulations that must be met for admission to long-term care homes. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care regulates long-term home care organizations to ensure they comply with all the regulations and specific standards set out by the government. These laws protect the well-being and rights of individuals that are deserving to receive the personal care and support they need to live warmly and happily in their homes. So, seniors and people who meet the following criteria are eligible to receive publicly funded home care based on their health status, income, and level of need: How to Start the Process of Applying for Home Care The process of selecting a long-term care home involves a multi-part assessment to determine your eligibility. To access publicly-funded home care in Ontario, you must first contact Ontario Health atHome via contact number or their official website.  After contacting them, Ontario Health at Home will connect you with their care coordinator. The coordinator will start the assessment process through the initial consultation on the phone to determine your eligibility to access home care. He may also visit your home to assess further your health status and the level of personal or medical care services you need.  The care coordinator usually conducts a comprehensive assessment that includes functional assessment, capacity assessment, and behavioral assessment, depending on health status, medical history, and living situation.  Based on this assessment and if you are eligible, the care coordinator will discuss all the options with you and provide you with the list of care homes to choose from. It is important to know that you can choose from up to five care homes. However, you cannot access the home care services immediately as there is a wait time that can vary. Once you have secured the spot in your chosen long-term care home, Ontario Health at Home will reach out to you, and you will have only 24 hours to give them your consent for admission.  Finally, a personalized care plan will be created based on your needs. This plan…
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Home care should be the cornerstone of eldercare – growing old in the comfort of our own home brings us joy, dignity and supports good health. “At the National Institute on Ageing (NIA), we have conducted surveys showing that nearly 100% of older Canadians want to age in their own homes for as long as possible. Given that this is what people want, I think trying to achieve this becomes quite integral to people’s happiness and wellbeing,” said Dr. Samir Sinha, leading geriatrician in Canada and director of Health Policy Research at NIA. To live safe, healthy and socially-connected lives as we age, support is needed – unfortunately, insufficient home care and community services make aging at home an overwhelming challenge for many. It’s costly and complicated. “For too many of my patients, their ability to age in place is often undermined by a system that is not adequately resourced to support them to adapt their homes and receive the care they need or further support their family and friends serving as caregivers,” said Dr. Sinha, director of geriatrics at Mount Sinai and the University Health Network. Home Care is Cost Effective People end up becoming prematurely institutionalized in long-term care (LTC) homes, or living in overburdened hospitals waiting to go to a long-term care home, which are both more costly than providing more care in people’s homes, he said. The National Institute on Aging reports it costs an average of $103 per day for an LTC-eligible person in their own home compared to $201 in long-term care. It’s $703 a day for older adults admitted to hospital while awaiting a permanent place. Enabling more people to receive additional care in their own homes would greatly benefit seniors and society, said Dr. Sinha. “Other countries that have developed more robust home and community care systems are benefiting significantly from this approach.” There’s growing recognition of the increased health and happiness outcomes. The future for our rapidly aging population isn’t pretty, said Dr. Sinha. We’re not prepared and have so much catching up to do. There are record numbers on Ontario’s LTC home waitlists and the majority of the people waiting in hospitals as ALC (alternate level of care) patients are there because of the insufficient home care to allow them to return to their own homes. “While 15% of hospital patients are ALC patients in Ontario, in Denmark this rate is around 1%  as they are providing much more home care to their citizens.” Home Modifications Needed Adding to the problem of limited, underfunded care access is a shortage of underpaid care providers to deliver home care. Also additional private care beyond what the government and their families and friends can provide them can be unaffordable. And healthy aging in place needs to enable social connection rather than inhibit it.  The home also needs supports, including age-friendly modifications. There are some grants and support to help people make home adaptions or buy equipment to enhance home accessibility, said Dr. Sinha, “but these are rather piecemeal supports and need to be more comprehensively considered to ensure that we can really enable aging in place whenever possible.”  Sadly, as things stand and with lack of sufficient supports, people relent and put their name on a LTC home waitlist and enter a home. Currently there are more than 40,000 people in Ontario alone who are on LTC home waitlists, he said. “Some jurisdictions have simply offered to provide clients the home care they need up to the cost of having to care for them in a LTC home. After this, a person is invited to purchase additional care to stay in their own homes or go to a LTC home. This is one method that creates a greater level of transparency and accountability and doesn’t cast anyone as a failure when aging in place is no longer possible.” Read more about Rethink Aging With Colin Milner Far too many people blame themselves for the failure to be able to age in their own homes, he said, for example, not having saved up enough privately to fill in unanticipated care gaps. Families can also feel like failures for not being able to do more to keep their loved ones at home. “This as a result likely affects the personal happiness and wellbeing of older persons and their caregivers.” Home is Our Happy Place Home sweet home is our happy place so plan for it. “I always say that the best defense is a good offence,” said Dr. Sinha, adding that practically working through what might need to be done in advance to make aging in place happen can help better ensure you can better age with dignity and respect. Read also, How To Prepare An Aging Brain To Re-enter The Workforce And with health and happiness too. Plan ahead for you and your elderly loved ones to be able to grow old in the place of your choosing: Take into account location, accessibility, available support and services, medical conditions, isolation, finances, and family in order to make the best informed decision. Don’t assume publicly-funded programs will keep you at home in the future. Don’t let a health emergency catch you unprepared and leave you scrambling for living options. Develop a contingency plan that considers other options in case aging in place is no longer possible. Being able to access home maintenance, modifications and repairs make aging in place easier and safer. Custodia can help take the hassles and headaches out of home maintenance and tasks, and greatly reduce the barriers to aging in place.   

When it comes to aging in place, there’s a quote that comes to mind: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” It may sound negative, but there is simply nothing negative about being proactive and making solid plans to remain happily in your home through the aging journey. Research shows that nearly all older Canadians want to remain in their homes and communities as long as they can, and that means having the health, and social supports and services in place to live safely and independently. That just doesn’t happen unless you make it happen. To survive and thrive at home, being functionally fit is critical – physical strength is very often neglected. Frailty can derail dreams to remain at home! “Our best option is maintaining our fitness and functionality in order to avoid frailty, hospitalization and the need for institutionalization,” says Dr. Karen Humphreys, a physician, educator and frailty coach in B.C. Dr. Humphreys helps people fulfill their wishes to age in place and her new book,  The Mission of Maya and Methuselah, offers clear instruction and practical advice to get ready physically, mentally and financially. For example, adequate financial health often takes years of planning – “there’s the cost of medications as we age; cost of repairs and making a safer home depending on our functionality, and insight into what we might need.” Assess Home For Risks For those lacking fitness and/or financial resources, family connections are often needed to assist in staying in our own home or moving into a suite in a family member’s home, adds the clinical instructor from UBC’s Faculty of Medicine who lives on Vancouver Island. “The challenges of aging in place currently are being reactive rather than proactive. For example, purchasing new furniture should focus on long-term use – a high bed that looks great when you are 50 is a fall risk at 75,” she says. Home environments with things like treacherous stairs, lots of area rugs, cupboards that need a ladder to access pose obvious challenges but there are many other aspects of the home that need to be reviewed for planning future safety. When it comes to aging bodies, the major challenges she sees is lack of overall fitness from a cardiovascular perspective; resistance training perspective; balance and flexibility perspective; social connectedness and cognition – brain exercises are just as important as physical exercises. Shortage of Long-term Beds Unfortunately, some people believe that they will not age and not need services (which are actually hard to procure and expensive too), says Dr. Humphreys. “I found that many folks that ended up in hospital had no idea that the Canada Health Act would not care for them as they aged. The cost of care has crushed many individuals so awareness and planning are the keys going forward as our population ages.” We have a glut of aging baby boomers that will soon require more access to long-term care beds than are available. Right now there are just under 200,000 care home beds and we’re going to need more than 455,000 by the year 2035! That’s just a decade away! Optimal planning should start after age 45 and the scenarios in her book guide folks through different decades in how to make lifestyle changes, do financial planning and have some foresight into what may be required as one ages in Canada. “We are unable to predict exactly which direction our life will go but we can prepare for many scenarios if we start planning early enough.” Dr. Humphreys helps Victoria seniors and families strategize – encouraging, promoting and assisting in keeping them in their home. She does frailty coaching to prevent a decline in physical and functional status. “Frailty is a precursor to the loss of independence. Frailty can lead to fall, fractures, hospitalization, nursing home placement and death.” Tips to Age in Place Safely Take Dr. Humphrey’s tips to successfully age in place as long as possible: Meanwhile, aging in place makes people happy and healthy, and Custodia offers the support to age at home joyfully, safely and worry free. From installing grab bars to regular property upkeep, our home management plans ensure the home environment, inside and outside, remains safe, secure and well-maintained. Related read Rethink Aging With Colin Milner

The tables turn and the person who cared for you will likely need care. As parents grow older, you want to be there for them but it can be a challenge especially if you don’t live close by. The distance can make it tough but you can still provide support and assistance to aging parents even if you’re living in a different city or even province. Rick Lauber, an Edmonton author and former co-caregiver, knows firsthand the challenges: “Caregiving was new territory for me… much like many others, I did not have related background experience or knowledge to draw from. I was also not prepared for my new role.” He shares what he learned caring for his aging parents in his two books Caregiver’s Guide for Canadians and The Successful Caregiver’s Guide, and offers practical tips, great guidance and encouragement to help prepare prospective and current family caregivers. “Caregiving can be a major time commitment and can easily impact a family member physically, mentally, emotionally and financially,” says Rick. Increased Costs And Stressors Initially he helped co-caregive from a distance for 10 years for both his senior parents, and then they moved closer to him and his sisters, which increased their responsibilities and contributions. “I remember being constantly on the go. If I was not planning the parental schedule for the next day or running another parental errand, I was worried about how Mom and Dad were doing or if my telephone would ring with an emergency.” Working alongside his sisters, he assumed many unexpected caregiving duties, like moving his parents repeatedly, driving them to appointments, managing their banking and paying bills and, in due course, serving as Joint Guardian and Alternate Trustee. For those caring from afar, there’s increased travel that results in added costs including accommodation, meals out and vehicle maintenance, and the stress of being less able to quickly react and respond to an aging parent’s needs, says Rick, who was a 15-hour drive away so he preferred the two-hour flight. When seniors retire to smaller towns, they will not have as many services available to help them. Take on New Roles Prepare to take on new roles, learn more about complex medical conditions, try to work harmoniously with aging parents and siblings, and balance caregiving with busy lives, families, and careers, he says. Family caregivers may also face increased stress over wondering if they are making the best decisions, he adds, which is a natural worry. “It’s important to note that caregiving is not all bad however: From my own experience, I built better relationships with my parents and sisters, became better organized, learned more about my own capabilities, and became more self-confident,” he adds.  Read more about The Future Of Aging. Video Chat Regularly With the right approach and resources – and Rick’s tips – you can ensure elderly parents are supported and connected, no matter the miles. Communicate regularly. If adult children cannot easily travel to see their aging parents, they could still call them. A video chat (through Zoom or some other platform) is better than a phone call as it is more personal and can provide family members a much better opportunity to observe and assess the senior’s appearance as well as gauge how the senior is doing. Enlist outside help. Hire a caregiver from a trusted professional caregiving company. Coordinate with a friendly neighbour to drop in to visit with aging parents and then report back to distant family members. Outside help could also run errands for seniors while family caregivers are visiting – thus allowing them more quality time together. Get creative with outside help. Perhaps the neighbour is a dog walker and an aging parent could join on these outings for company, fresh air and exercise. A neighbour’s teen could be hired to mow a senior’s lawn or shovel snowy sidewalks. Reliability is critical so hiring a reputable company to do routine outdoor and indoor maintenance work can help greatly – research well. When speaking with these prospective providers, ask for references to check, if they have done similar work for other seniors, and how long they have been in business. Check with the Better Business Bureau as part of your research. Local seniors’ associations could possibly provide recommendations of vetted senior service providers. Technology Can be Your Eyes And Ears Utilize technology. Wearable health devices (e.g. wristbands) can measure and collect health data. Mobile device apps can remind aging parents to take their medication. Home monitoring systems can report on an aging senior’s movements within the home. Stove fire prevention devices automatically shut off the appliance if it has been left on for too long. On-line social media platforms (e.g. Facebook) provide an aging parent the chance to communicate with distant family members, join message boards for social interaction, research areas of interest, be entertained, and view photographs of the grandchildren. Technology can be a family caregiver’s eyes and ears from afar. Assign a primary family caregiver. When numerous siblings are available, a senior’s care can be shared; however, it may be beneficial to delegate one person to oversee the entire process. It may be tempting to choose the family caregiver living closest geographically to aging parents but consider what other siblings could bring to the table. “When Mom and Dad began to need more help, my sisters and I each took a turn to fly out, stay with them, and tend to what needed to be done. We each had our different skill sets and sharing the workload while still communicating with each other back home reduced the stress,” says Rick.   Reduce Home Clutter Downsize. Aging parents often accumulate a great deal of stuff over the course of their lifetimes, but how much of this remains necessary? Reducing the amount of clutter in a parent’s home makes it safer. Large, bulky furniture can block a senior’s mobility and deep couch cushions which can trap a senior who may not have the strength or flexibility to stand.…
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Social wellness is critical as we age. While there may not be a single magic pill for healthy aging, strong social connections deliver bigtime health benefits. It’s good for the soul, our happiness and our brain health. An active social life keeps us on the go and moving physically, boosts our mood and promotes cognitive health which helps fight off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Read more about Boost your brain health with 5 exercises Being social can lead to a better healthspan and longer lifespan too. Older adults with strong social networks had a 50% higher likelihood of survival compared to those with limited social connections, reports a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Another study reports that 60-year-olds that visited with friends almost daily were 12% less likely to develop dementia than those who saw one or two friends every few months. And it appears that interacting with friends, more so than family, promotes positive returns for brain health because you’re generally doing activities outside of your home, according to research. Getting out and into the world helps ward off loneliness and isolation. You meet new people, learn new things, build new memories and workout your brain by exercising many different areas of cognition. Health and safety perks Neighbours and best friends Rita Lalonde, 80, and Martine Fournier, 68, are reaping the benefits of social wellness. “Getting together most every day makes us happy and healthy. We’re like sisters, like family – we garden together, go on day trips, line dance and support one another through thick and thin. We keep each other young and laughing,” says Martine. There’s also a security benefit, she adds. “By being in touch daily we know if something is wrong. For example, if one of us should have a health issue and cannot reach a phone, the other would know so there’s not much chance of someone lying on the floor for hours, alone and afraid.” According to therapist Joshua Peters, large social networks help to provide additional support for older folks by ensuring they have others to ‘check-on’ their wellbeing “For example, we know that many isolated seniors don’t seek medical attention until it’s too late (or at least longer than necessary) because they simply don’t have anyone available to notice health changes or an emergency.” Moreover, seniors who fall at home alone and have no one to check-on them are much more likely to experience severe health outcomes than their more social peers, adds Peters, a psychotherapist at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships. Isolation is bad for health Peters highly recommends getting social for the good of your health because the truth is “use it or lose it.” This is in reference to the fact that seniors are especially vulnerable to losing some of the skills they’ve gained over their lifetime when in isolation, and not actively social. “This can range from simple physical tasks like walking to more complex ones like holding a conversation. Moreover, if seniors attempt to regain these skills it can mean a longer relearning process – and for physical tasks added danger.” Connections create a fulfilling and enriching life but connecting and maintaining connections isn’t always easy – it can be challenging and intimidating. The thing about getting older is that friends and family may move away or pass away. They can’t be replaced and hearts ache but it’s important to get out of the house and foster new relationships while staying connected to the relationships you do have.   Social isolation is a serious threat to health and affects us mentally and physically. The National Institute on Aging links social isolation and loneliness to higher risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, depression, cognitive decline and more. Related read: Ways To Keep Your Brain Sharp Socialize with all ages Peters offers up these six tips for seniors to cultivate a healthy social life: Visit the seniors in your life Meanwhile, it’s also important for family and friends to encourage the seniors in their life to socialize more and include them often. “Visit the senior members of your family. These individuals provide a wealth of experience to learn from – even if it’s quite different from yours,” says Peters. Encourage those seniors close to you to “story” their life and tell you about moments that changed them as people – good and bad, he adds. Seniors Active Living Services in Toronto Create cross-generational activities that all demographics of your family/friend group can partake in. “Time and again I hear amazing stories from clients who strike out and create friends outside of their general age demographics – this diversity benefits all those involved.”

Aging is inevitable – so how do we age better and feel better about it? Face it, society doesn’t generally make us feel very good about getting older – all we hear about is that younger is always better, and that the act of growing older is somehow shameful, grim, ugly and scary, says author and ageism disruptor Carl Honoré. That’s so not the truth. “No age is perfect but the truth is that many things stay the same and some things even get better as we get older,” says the author of Bolder: Making the Most of our Longer Lives. “Every age can be wonderful but only if we embrace it: We need to embrace the present without pining for the past or shrinking from the future – only if we embrace aging as an adventure.” As a privilege. The author wants to help you get bolder as you get older and enjoy the luminous journey. “David Bowie once described aging as ‘an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been.’ I love that idea. That as we grow older we become more – not less – ourselves.” Seniors are doing amazing things He admits his own thinking about aging has shifted since researching and writing Bolder. Research shows that people are generally more contented in later life. “As we age, we become more comfortable in our own skin and less worried about what others think of us. We tend to form stronger, more fulfilling relationships. Aging can also make us more altruistic,” says Carl. There’s never been a better time to age! Thanks to better nutrition, technology, medicine and exercise, the physical decline brought on be aging can be slowed down which means we can go on doing amazing things with our bodies as we navigate the aging journey, he says. “Today, the average over-65-year-old is in better shape than ever before.” And furthermore “the conventional wisdom that romance and bedroom fireworks belong to the young is flat-out wrong. Hurray!” You are what you think There’s fireworks on the business front too. Studies show you’re more likely to create a successful start up in middle age or beyond. That it improves collaboration in diverse work groups. Productivity, creativity and social smarts rise with age – “I also feel more entrepreneurial, more able to turn risk into reward.” Don’t let age define or limit you. “Just look at the burgeoning army of people running marathons in their seventies, climbing mountains in their eighties and cycling cross-country in their nineties. Welcome to the age of the centenarian sky-diver.” Thinking more positive about aging gives us a boost: We live longer, walk faster, stand a better chance of recovering from disability and even perform better on memory and motor control tests, according to research. The real challenge facing us is not aging, he stresses, but it’s ageism. We need to adopt more optimistic and realistic views, and ditch prevailing toxic ageist attitudes and diminishing language. “We need to rewrite the rules of everything, from the workplace and education to design and social services.” Tips to age boldly Make time to learn, work, rest, care for others, volunteer, create and have fun all the way through our lives. “Aging can be a bonus rather than a burden,” says Carl. He offers these 12 rules to age boldly: 1. Keep on learning and experimenting. The adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks isn’t even true of dogs. Novelty keeps you energised and engaged. 2. Cultivate strong relationships. 3. Draw inspiration from role models. Think Helen Mirren, David Attenborough or even Michelangelo, who rebuilt St Peter’s Basilica in his 80s. 4. Keep brain and body fit by exercising and eating right. 5. Channel Marie Kondo. If something – a job, a friendship, etc – no longer sparks joy, drop it. Streamline to make every moment count. 6. Find a purpose that puts meaning in your life and fire in your belly. 7. Be honest about your age. Lying gives the number a power it does not deserve – and reinforces the myth that younger is always better. Owning your age is the first step to making the most of it. 8. Remain flexible and open to change, growth and evolution. As Lao Tzu put it: “Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.” 9. Ignore the doom-mongers who say sex, love and romance belong to the young: they do not. Make room for all three however you old you are, if that’s what you fancy.  10. If you think growing older will be bad, it will be bad. Be positive and focus on the upsides of ageing: feeling more at ease in your own skin; deeper relationships; more happiness, altruism, creativity, knowledge, experience. 11. Cultivate a sense of humour. Laughing boosts health and longevity.  As George Bernard Shaw put it: ‘You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.’ 12. Think about death. Don’t dwell morbidly on it, but don’t shy away from it, either. An awareness that time is finite gives life shape and meaning – and spurs you to make the most of here and now.  Read about Rethink Aging With Colin Milner

Snow removal may not be the most glamorous task this winter, but it is one of the most crucial. Aside from the comfort of driveways and roads, proper snow management prevents a number of problems that can befall you if you don’t do it. From the very structure of your home to the safety of your family and neighbors, timely snow removal is essential. Plus, if you’re a senior citizen, snow removal is essential for your own safety. But why should you remove the snow around your home? We’ll tell you the many reasons why you should. Whether you do it yourself or seek professional help, snow removal is essential to the care of your home. The Reasons Behind Why Is It Important To Remove Snow? Let’s explore the specific benefits and consequences of timely snow removal, including safety, property protection, and legal responsibilities. Slip and Fall Accident Prevention One of the most obvious reasons to clear snow from the driveway is to prevent slips and falls. Especially if you are an elderly person, having slippery floors can put your health at risk. Slippery, icy surfaces are dangerous and present a significant risk to the well-being of anyone moving on them. As snow accumulates, it hides ice slabs, making it a particular hazard along sidewalks, overpasses and steps. A simple slip can lead to injuries that need professional medical attention, such as sprains, fractured victims or even bruises. So, by clearing snow regularly, you’re also creating a safe walking space and minimizing the risk of slips and falls. In addition, keeping sidewalks accessible also means being a good neighbor. Clearing snow from public furniture on the side of your home helps your neighbors in general stay safe. It’s a small act of kindness that can make a big difference, especially for seniors or people with reduced mobility. Take Care of Your Home’s Structure If you live in Ontario, snow that accumulates from heavy snowfall poses a serious risk to the structural integrity of your home. Large amounts of snow can cause roof damage, ice buildup and other problems that, if not addressed in a timely manner, can involve costly repairs. Snow on the roof means additional weight that can weaken or damage the structure over time. When snow melts and then refreezes, ice dams can form that block proper drainage and cause water to seep under the shingles. That constant water seepage can lead to leaks, mold and structural damage to your home. Raking your roof and removing snow regularly can mitigate such risks and maintain your home. Don’t forget to remove snow from your home’s foundation. Melting snow can cause water to pool around the foundation, creating the risk of cracks and water infiltration. That can jeopardize the stability of your home and lead to costly repairs. Increase Exterior Curb Appeal Your home looks more beautiful with a well-maintained exterior, even during the winter months. After clearing snow from sidewalks, driveways and decks, your home will have a warm, welcoming atmosphere and appear to be maintained despite the cold. First impressions count for a lot, and a clean, snow-free property is definitely welcome in the neighborhood. Whether you’re expecting visitors or enjoying the view, consistent snow removal ensures that your property looks its best at all times. Also, if you plan to sell your home, then the exterior is crucial. Prospective owners often judge a property by the exterior, and a well-maintained winter landscape can leave more than a lasting impression and potentially increase the value of your property. Avoiding Legal Problems Homeowners have a legal responsibility to maintain a safe environment on their property, which also means getting rid of snow as quickly as possible. Because, failing to do so could mean you could face legal problems if someone is injured on your premises due to hazardous conditions. Many local ordinances require property owners to remove snow from public sidewalks within a certain number of hours after a snowfall. Failure to do so will result in fines or citations. In addition, you would be held liable if someone slips and falls on your property due to snow or ice. This incident could result in you being sued and, you could have a financial loss. If you comply with snow removal regulations and keep your surroundings safe, you could save yourself legal trouble and show responsibility and consideration for the welfare of others. Landscape Conservation Landscape elements, such as trees, shrubs and flowerbeds, can be damaged by heavy snow, and repairing or replacing these can be costly once spring arrives. The weight of snow and ice can break branches, crush plants and damage your landscape infrastructure. By carefully removing snow from these areas, you’ll protect your landscaping investment and ensure your yard looks nice and healthy. You can also minimize damage by piling snow in areas that won’t damage gardens. Don’t pile snow in beds or too close to tree trunks, as it may be the weight or moisture that damages the areas. Choose areas where melt water will drain away from plants and bases. Why Seek Professional Snow Removal Services? Safety is one of the most important reasons to hire a snow removal professional. Snow and ice can turn any surface into a slipping hazard, which significantly increases the chance of falls and accidents. Professionals are trained to do a safe job in these conditions. Workers use specialized equipment that allows snow and ice removal to be effective and efficient, which decreases the risk of injury. In addition, professional snow removal crews can apply anti-skid products that will prevent the ground from refreezing, ensuring the property is safe for walking and driving. Snow removal leaves a person’s health in good hands. Removing heavy snow is physically strenuous and, in some cases, can be a risk to a person due to a pre-existing condition or if they are too old to do this type of work. Letting someone with experience do the work is one way to protect…
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Summer has settled in and it’s shaping up to be a scorcher! Extreme heat waves keep rolling in so it’s important to pay attention to your health and beat the heat when it’s sizzling outside. High temperatures are not just uncomfortable, they are dangerous. Staying safe and cool can save your life. As we age, our ability to cope with rising temperatures diminish. On top of that, common chronic conditions such as heart, lung and kidney disease can further reduce our coping abilities. Prepare for one hot summer! Records for the highest average temperatures on earth were shattered last year – and it’s looking like 2024 will rival 2023’s temps. We’ve already experienced heat warnings and scorching summer temperatures across the country – more than two dozen daily heat records were broken last weekend in British Columbia alone. Heat waves put older adults in danger Relentless hot spells put older adults in danger including severe dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. They don’t sweat or cool down as efficiently as younger adults, and the accompanying air pollution makes it harder to breathe, especially among people who already have breathing difficulties. “Heat affects everyone, but the risks are greater for seniors, people who live alone, people with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease, people with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety, people with substance use disorders, and people with limited mobility,” Environment Canada said in one of its recent warnings. According to Erin Gallagher, an assistant professor with McMaster University’s Department of Family Medicine, “when we develop neurological signs and symptoms like feeling more confused or having behavioural changes, we begin to worry about things like heat stroke, which can have serious consequences if untreated.” Get ahead of the swelter by hydrating well and staying inside on unbearably hot days, said Gallagher on healthscie.mcmaster.ca. “If you don’t start the day with a good baseline hydration and you find yourself in a heat situation, you will become tired. You will have an elevated heart rate. Your blood pressure will drop. You will get what is commonly referred to as heat exhaustion.” Keep cool during heat waves Take these general tips for beating the heat and staying healthy: Don’t wait until your thirsty to drink water, especially if you’re outdoors. It’s extremely easy to overheat and to become dehydrated, especially people in their 60s and older. Always take along a refillable water bottle. Watch out for signs of dehydration include dizziness, dry mouth and fatigue. Late-stage signs of dehydration are thirst and dark urine. Stay out of the sun. Seek air-conditioned cool spaces during the day. Use fans too in your home to create a cooling breeze. Keep curtains and blinds closed to keep things cooler indoors. Avoid using the oven and clothes dryer. Read also, Boost your brain health with 5 exercises Eat food with high water content Limit physical activity to the coolest part of the day, which is early in the morning or later in the evening. If you venture out into nature during the day, seek shade. Wear light-coloured, light-weight, sun-protective clothing and sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays. Reapply sunscreen more often if you are sweating or swimming. Choose the right sunscreen. Look for broad-spectrum coverage for both UVA and UVB, with an SPF of at least 30 for adults, and ideally water resistant too. Remember to reapply every two hours for optimum protection. Eat light, regular meals and include foods with high water content like strawberries, cucumbers, watermelon and fresh greens. Salads and smoothies are a great choice. Avoid consuming too much salt, caffeinated drinks and alcohol. Sun and alcohol is not a good combination. Caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate you. Check up on the elderly Keep in mind prescription medication can make seniors more sensitive to heat, including anticholinergics (used to treat COD) which reduce the capacity to sweat. A side effect of beta blockers and diuretics, which control blood pressure, is dehydration. Always store medications at room temperatures so they don’t lose their effectiveness. Be sure to check in on elderly family, friends and neighbours. Being forced to stay indoors out of the heat can bring on depression and isolation. Those with cognitive issues or dementia may not understand the health risks or take the necessary precautions to stay safe in extreme heat. Environment Canada sums it up: “Check on family, friends and neighbours, who are at higher risk, particularly if they live alone, to make sure they have a cool space. Watch for the effects of heat illness: heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature and the worsening of some health conditions. Never leave susceptible people, particularly children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. If you are in an overheated area, seek a cool place such as a tree-shaded area, splash pad, misting station or air-conditioned spot like a public building.”

Father’s Day falls in June which also happens to be Men’s Health Month. It’s the perfect time to celebrate all the amazing dads out there and encourage them to prioritize their health so they live long, vibrant lives for us all to enjoy together. Spending quality time together doesn’t just strengthen relationships, it also enhances physical, mental and emotional wellbeing for all involved. “Research shows that children with affectionate dads who spend quality time with them are more likely to be engaged in school and go to college, be more social, and exhibit more self-confidence,” reports University of Nevada (UNLV News Center). “They’re also less likely to have issues with substance abuse or encounter legal troubles.”  According to Brandon Eddy, a professor and researcher with UNLV’s Couple and Family Therapy Program, dads are spending triple the time with their kids compared to those from previous generations and dads benefit greatly too, especially when it comes to their mental wellbeing. This is often overlooked in the realm of men’s health. Men avoid going to the doctor Eddy’s advice for fathers: Work on and take care of yourself: “It’s really hard to provide aid and support to people when we are struggling ourselves. It’s critical to take the time to attend to your own mental health” – and physical health too. It’s a fact that men tend to put less of a focus on their health than women – they don’t see doctors as often and skip recommended screenings. Actually, two-thirds of men avoid going to the doctors as long as possible, reports a Cleveland Clinic study. That leads to serious health ramifications: Men tend to live more years of their lives with bad health than women, and they have shorter life spans too. One study shows that 72% of men live unhealthy lifestyles, including a poor diet, problem drinking, not exercising or not getting regular sleep. This leaves them vulnerable to a host of chronic conditions and disease than women – they’re 60% more likely to die from heart disease, 40% more likely to die from cancer, 50% more likely to die from diabetes. Prevention is key The good news is that up to 70% of  health problems can be avoided with healthier habits, according to the study by the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (CMHF). The foundation stresses men take charge of their health – get screenings, eat well, exercise, get outdoors and address mental health issues. CMHF offers a Mindfit Tookit and mental health resources for men to manage stress, anxiety and depression. Asking for help and seeking help is not a sign of weakness – it shows inner strength and insight but also equips men to better take on life’s challenges, and be the best dads. Proactive steps for optimal health Encourage dad to take these proactive steps from the experts at McMaster’s Optimal Aging Portal: Independence boosts wellbeing As dad gets older, requirements for optimal health change and for many seniors living in their own homes boosts overall wellbeing. With the proper steps and home management supports, aging in place can be stress-free and reinforce their sense of independence. More and more in-home resources are available including tech products, food delivery options, and home maintenance and yard work assistance, in particular Custodia Home Management, to help older parents age in place safely, comfortably and happily. Focus on one another Meanwhile, family therapist Eddy has advice for dads of all ages to build lasting bonds with their kids:

Listen to your mother. Flowers are thoughtful and so are chocolates but what she would really like for Mother’s Day is a gift-wrapped box of relaxation along with some quality family time, minus the planning, cooking and clean up. A day with no demands, distractions or having to organize a thing – or having to fight everyone’s phones for attention. Just take her along for the ride and make wonderful memories together. But first let her sleep in. Most of us won’t listen as mom swears she doesn’t need a thing but truly this special woman deserves the world – and to be celebrated on Mother’s Day and every day of the year. She’s your best friend, your biggest fan, and greatest supporter. Moms Are A Busy Bunch Moms go hard all year nurturing, nudging, listening, loving and cheering us on, While it’s the greatest job in the world, evidently it’s the toughest too with long hours and a never-ending to-do list. According to one study, moms work the equivalent of 2 ½ full time jobs! Basically, 98 hours a week! What other job requires a 14-hour working day, seven days a week? So it’s not surprise that topping their wish list, according to research, is restorative family time and throw in a few hours of blissful, uninterrupted selfcare to reset and recharge her batteries, aka reading, napping, some Netflix binging, a peaceful walk. Moms are a busy bunch and it’s not only moms with young kids that go hard – moms with children of all ages, including adult children, are busier than ever, working, volunteering, running households and helping with grandkids so parents can work. Check out Happy Father’s Day! Applause For Bonus Moms Too Let’s make noise for wonderful bonus moms too. A special mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, teacher, friend, neighbour – anyone who has had a hand (and heart) in bringing you up, and being part or your ongoing story. Mothering requires love, not DNA. So show her extra love for all she does on May 12. A phone call for sure. More calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year. It’s also the third busiest flower-giving day and the top dining-out day for restaurants. Mom-osa, mom-tini or mom-garita anyone? Along with food, gift favourites include gift cards, jewelry and activities, including manicures and pedicures, reports retailcouncil.org. Half of Canadians will make a purchase at least a week before the big day, with 3% leaving it to the day of. A third of Canadians take their gift inspiration from family and friends, along with flyers and social media. Spoil Mom With Some R&R We want to inspire you on what to get mom – while she’ll graciously welcome more candles, the best gifts are the simple ones that promote R&R and together time. Send her to the spa and go with her for some serious unwinding and bonding. Treat her to a renewal day or overnight stay in an oasis of wellness complete with therapeutic treatments and healthy food at Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, ON. Wrap up a gift card and boost her wellbeing with a massage, a soak in healing hydrotherapy pools and the comfiest beds ever. You’ll definitely be her favourite child! Make plans for high tea. Whether you create the brews and treats yourself and serve them on fancy china, or dress up and visit an official tea house, make memories sipping tea and eating fancy sandwiches. Or how about tee time with a golf lesson or a round of mini golf? Gift Help For Outdoor Chores Many hands make light work. Dig in the dirt together and plant a flower or veggie garden – feast on your labour of love later in the summer. Or take a load off her mind and achy back by doing her outdoor chores. Better yet, gift her a subscription to Custodia’s Home Management Plan that takes regular care of her grass, gutters and windows and more. Hire others for her to-dos so all you have to do is relax with mom. Make her a memory book packed with favourite photos, craft the perfect playlist, get theatre tickets, pack a picnic, buy a family photo shoot. How about a game night with snacks or getting crafty with some Lego? Build the rose bouquet together – no watering required! Most of all, give the present of your presence. That means putting down your phones and making mom the centre of attention, and not letting her lift a finger.