The Origin Blog:
Senior Health, Wellness, News, & More

For some, wintertime means cozying up by the fire with a good book and a cup of tea. For others, it means layering up to enjoy an outside adventure with family friends. However you prefer to spend the season, winter can offer activities that promote physical and mental wellness.

You may have heard people tell you “to look on the bright side” or “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” These small phrases can bring you comfort at the moment, but they can also be good lessons on how to live your life.

Approximately 750,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. And it doesn’t just impact them; it impacts family, friends, coworkers, neighbours, and others. In response to how widespread dementia is—combined with the growing aging population—Canada has even designed a national dementia strategy to increase awareness and funding for research for treatments and cures.

While being a caregiver to a family member or friend can be a positive and rewarding experience, it can also take its toll physically and mentally. With an estimated 8 million Canadians providing informal care, understanding healthy habits is vital so that caregivers can deliver the best and most attentive care possible.

Retirement living in Canada can mean more time for family, new hobbies, or travel. But, unfortunately, there are myths about senior living communities that lead individuals away from the longevity and freedom retirement homes can provide.

“Every day, about 28% of Canadians provide care for a family member, friend or neighbour, and nearly half will do so at some point (cmaj.ca).” Caring for someone you love is an act of compassion and dedication, but it can also be a huge undertaking.

Ageism refers to the stereotypes and differing treatment of people based on their age. Whether you have realized it or not, ageism is everywhere, from internet trends like “Okay, boomer” and the lack of representation in Hollywood to more substantial instances like losing access to benefits or being refused certain healthcare treatments—all because of age.

Nearly every (93%) Canadian senior says they want to remain in their homes for as long as possible after retirement. The primary reason for this is to maintain a sense of independence. Still, there are other reasons, including remaining close to family and friends, fostering a sense of belonging, and sentimental attachment to the house.

At Origin Active Lifestyle Communities, we are huge advocates of yoga for our community members. We have seen amazing results from individuals who regularly practice our yoga classes, so we wanted to share our ultimate guide to yoga for seniors!

As life begins to go back to normal, it’s more obvious now than ever how much of a privilege it is to live an independent, active lifestyle. Your quality of life is defined by being active in your communities, visiting your family, getting outside to enjoy the beautiful weather, and independently exploring what life has to offer.