This collaboration brings together community support providers and animal welfare services to address a practical challenge faced by many older adults – accessing pet food due to limited mobility, fixed incomes, or transportation barriers. By leveraging existing Meals on Wheels routes, volunteers can now also deliver pet supplies donated by the Ontario SPCA during their regular visits.

The initiative is being introduced through an initial pilot with a small group of participating providers, including Meals on Wheels Sudbury, and Meals on Wheels Cornwall, which has already completed its first pet food deliveries to local seniors.

“Meals on Wheels programs do far more than deliver food, they are a vital connection point into the community,” says Lori Holloway, CEO of OCSA. “This partnership reflects how organizations can work together to respond to real, everyday challenges seniors face. It’s a practical example of how community-based care supports the whole person, not just clinical needs.”

“Pets are family, and we know the positive impact they have on people’s mental and emotional health,” says Jennifer Bluhm, VP, Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “This partnership helps remove barriers so seniors can continue to enjoy the companionship of their pets.”

The program is already making an impact at the community level, with local providers seeing firsthand how small supports can improve quality of life for clients.

“Pets can play a powerful role in reducing the isolation many seniors experience,” says Tammi Lear, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Sudbury. “Meals on Wheels Sudbury is excited to partner with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society to help keep our seniors healthy, connected, and able to remain in their homes with their pets.”

“Meals on Wheels Cornwall is proud to be the first organization to pilot this program with the Ontario SPCA,” says Andree-Ann Morin, Meals on Wheels Coordinator, Glen Stor Dun Lodge. “This pilot program recognizes that food security doesn’t stop with the individual – it includes the pets who bring comfort and companionship. Thanks to the Ontario SPCA, we’ve already been able to help clients who were struggling with the cost, access, and special dietary needs of their pets. Even with just a few clients so far, we’ve seen how removing this worry can improve overall wellbeing.”

Evidence shows that pets can reduce loneliness and support mental well-being among older adults. Small, practical supports like this can play an important role in maintaining health, preventing more complex needs over time, and improving client outcomes.

This new partnership demonstrates the potential of cross-sector collaboration to better support seniors aging at home, while strengthening connections between health, community, and social supports.

OCSA and the Ontario SPCA will continue working together to explore opportunities to expand the program with additional community partners across Ontario.

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While everyone felt the impact of this storm, the North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services program would like to raise awareness of the unique and heightened challenges faced by many older adults and their caregivers. Individuals with complex health issues or frailty are at greater risk due to power outages, reduced lighting and disruptions in routine. For individuals living with dementia, these changes can increase confusion and place greater stress on caregivers.

Beyond the lack of electricity, seniors may be struggling with heating issues, communication barriers due to phone service interruptions, and difficulties obtaining essential supplies like food, water and medications. Additionally, property damage and blocked roads or driveways may leave some seniors stranded or unable to move safely within their own homes or communities.

Health care providers across the region are working to restore services, with some exploring options to open warming centres. If you or a loved one rely on health care services, it’s important to check with your provider to determine availability and alternative support options.

Now, more than ever, community support is critical. We urge people to check in on their neighbours — especially those who may be more vulnerable — to ensure they are safe and have what they need. Some may require assistance, while others may be managing fine, but a simple check-in can make all the difference.

In times like these, kindness and community spirit matter. The ice storm has brought significant hardship, but it also presents an opportunity to come together and support one another.

The post Community Support Essential, Especially For Seniors And Caregivers, As Ontario Ice Storm Disrupts Lives appeared first on Muskoka411.

“Seniors are worried, and rightfully so,” said Sue VanderBent, CEO of Home Care Ontario. “Ontario’s seniors population is ballooning and they want to ensure that we have a home care system that can help care for them. Investing today means home care will be there for our seniors tomorrow.”

Recently released research by Dr. Arthur Sweetman and Dr. Boris Kralj at McMaster University’s Centre for Health Economics & Policy Analysis in Hamilton, showed that Ontario’s seniors population is exploding over the next five years, with dire consequences for patient care without massive investments to build the home care workforce.

The polling released today also showed overwhelming demand for the government to provide financial relief for family-funded home care, with 9 out of 10 seniors, or 90% saying the government should offer tax relief to Ontarians who fund additional home care for their loved ones.

The polling, which interviewed 1,000 Ontarians over the age of 55, revealed a deep-seated desire by Ontario seniors to age at home. Of those who have thought about where they would live in their later years, 92% of respondents over 65 plan to stay in their own home or apartment as long as possible.

Other Key findings

• 71% of seniors believe professional caregivers should be paid at the same rate regardless of whether they work in home care, long-term care or in hospitals.
• 76% of seniors believe the government should help educate people about what to look for when accessing additional home care services.
• 95% of seniors believe the government should be very concerned (56%) or concerned (39%) that the home care sector says the system needs $411M a year for the next three years to prepare for the growing number of seniors who will require care at home.
• 61% of seniors believe it should be the government’s top priority to invest to attract more people to become home care PSWs.

“We are ringing the alarm about the need to keep investing to grow the home care system and these findings clearly show that Ontario seniors agree,” concluded VanderBent. “The only way to do that is through continued investment to massively expand the home care system to make sure the care is available where our seniors want it – at home.”

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For older adults, research shows that aging in the comfort of their own home is a top preference, yet one in three have given minimal to no thought to things needed to enable living in the same home while aging. This is where families and loves ones play a critical role in ensuring the homes of your older adults are both a cheerful and safe place to live.

“Having loved ones home for the holidays is a highlight of the year for many older adults,” says Jenny Munro, gerontologist at Home Instead. “It’s so important for loved ones to both cherish this time but also take steps to ensure home is a safe place for them to live in.”

Whether it’s observing an increased loss of appetite or forgetfulness, or potential hazards in the home, here are a few things to look out for to ensure the older adults in your life are able to live safely as they maintain their independence:

• Unkempt home: This may be a sign that they are having difficulty keeping up with daily tasks. Help them set a home maintenance schedule and consider arranging for help around the house.
• Changes in weight: Older adults who are lonely are twice as likely to skip meals. Changes in weight can indicate unhealthy eating habits, so check to ensure food is well stocked and not expired, and share meal prep ideas or look into meal delivery services.
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks: Missteps in activities they do regularly, such as following a favourite family recipe, could be early warning signs of dementia. Encourage your loved one to make a list of things to discuss with their doctor, including changes in behaviour. Consider offering to join your loved one for their next appointment.
• Potential hazards in the home: Conduct a room-by-room home safety checklist to assess what updates may be needed.
  • Look for tripping hazards or obstructions in their pathways like throw rugs, torn carpet, tangled electrical cords, and clutter.
  • Ensure there is plenty of light and access to a telephone or cell phone.
  • Ensure there are grab bars available near the tub, shower and toilet, and that there are ways to prevent slippery floors and tubs.
  • Ensure there is enough space to move around furniture, and that the furniture is stable and easy to get into and out of.
  • Check that cabinets are not too high or low, and the room is clear of clutter on the countertops, tables and floors. Ensure their necessary care items are within reach and dangerous chemicals and cleaning materials are stored securely.

As a leading provider of in-home care for older adults, Home Instead^® encourages families to actively pay attention to safety concerns for older family members – both in their living spaces and their behaviour.

“If you notice signs your aging loved one is struggling with daily tasks, don’t shy away from difficult conversations,” say Munro.

If your loved one is showing signs of difficulty with daily living activities, consider enlisting a professional caregiver who can help with personal care, meal prep, and other household tasks that enable older adults to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible.

Creating a safe environment for aging in place requires continued conversation and encouragement. Home Instead offers a list of conversation starters and an action plan for successful aging. For more information about supporting your older loved ones’ aging journey, visit www.homeinstead.ca/care-resources.

The post Home For The Holidays: Checklist For Senior Safety appeared first on Muskoka411.

Falling remains the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths among Canadians 65 years and older. Simcoe Muskoka is consistent with this, and the rates of fall-related emergency visits and deaths are significantly higher when compared to Ontario. Between 2014 and 2018, approximately 125 Simcoe Muskoka residents died annually from a fall, and more than 90 percent of those that died were aged 65 years and older.

As the number of older adults continues to increase in Canada, this problem will grow. Depending on the severity of injury, a fall for an older adult can also adversely affect their mobility and quality of life, often leading to decreased or lost independence.

The Public Health Agency of Canada estimated that in 2018 the annual direct cost of injury-causing falls among older Canadian adults was $5.6 billion. The financial and emotional burden of falls can be reduced by investing in evidence-based preventive interventions, such as those that focus on improving physical functioning, optimizing emotional well-being, and environmental safety. A multifaceted approach to fall prevention is needed due to the many factors that contribute to fall risk.

Several factors affecting the ability of an older adult to age well and enjoy good quality of life also influence their risk of falling. These can include aspects of physical health status such as balance, strength, vision, hearing, and oral health, as well as cognition, nutrition, social and emotional health, and the use of medications, alcohol, and other substances.

Social determinants of health, such as housing and food insecurity, adequate income, access to health care, and ageism also influence a person’s general wellbeing and fall risk, specifically. For example, local emergency department visit rates remain highest among those living in areas with the greatest amount of material deprivation in Simcoe Muskoka.

A social determinant of health that can affect older adults specifically is ageism, a form of discrimination that leads to the unfair treatment of a person due to biases about their age. Age discrimination is a barrier to health and wellness for older adults. Ageism is associated with negative health outcomes, such as reduced life span, poverty and financial insecurity, poor health, and loss of self-esteem. Addressing ageism as a barrier to accessing health and social services is important at the community and broader societal level.

Environmental hazards are another major factor for fall risk that should be addressed. Resources like the Home Safety Checklist are available on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s website, and are important to help people identify areas in their home that could increase the risk of a fall, so they can take steps to make their spaces safer.

The most impactful strategy for fall prevention is to complement approaches like these that focus on individuals with multi-faceted approaches that involve communities. In recent years, the number of age-friendly communities (AFC) has grown nationally. Age-friendly communities are set up to help older adults live safely, enjoy good health and stay involved. To do this, they work to create age-friendly spaces in outdoor environments and public buildings. They also advocate for and address other aspects of life such as transportation, communication, housing, community supports, health services, civic and social participation, respect, and inclusion. The County of Simcoeand the District of Muskoka, as well as single and lower tier municipalities across the region, are engaging in this important work that invests in programming for older adults to optimize independence and improve overall health and wellness.

When it comes to fall prevention, everyone has a role to play. Most falls are predictable and can be prevented but it requires us as individuals and as a community to support people as they age because everyone deserves health and dignity.

For more information about fall prevention and optimal ageing, visit www.smdhu.org or contact Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The post Preventing Falls In Older Adults: What More Can We Do? appeared first on Muskoka411.

As part of this initiative, NSM SGS will be providing devices to older adults living in long-term care homes and in the community. These devices, including Google Nest Hub, Google Nest Mini, Alexa Show, Apple AirTag, and Meta Quest Virtual Reality headsets, open up a world of possibilities for older adults by enabling video chats with family and friends, providing access to information through voice commands, and facilitating entertainment through immersive experiences.

“Technology is so important for older adults as it can help support the cognitive, vision, hearing, and mobility needs of the person,” says NSM SGS Director, Sandra Easson-Bruno.

“And on the other side of the coin, the caregivers are able to keep track of their loved one using an Apple Air Tag, which we have found useful for older adults who may get lost on a walk.”

To demonstrate the positive impact of this technology, NSM SGS and the IOOF will host an event on July 13, from 2:20 to 3:30, at the IOOF. Recreation therapists, as well as residents themselves, will join to hear and try some of the available technology to better understand how it can be seamlessly integrated into their everyday lives.

Event Details:

Date: June13, 2023

Time: 2:20 PM -3:30 PM

Location: IOOF, 10 Brooks St. Barrie, ON.

RSVP: communications@nsmsgs.ca

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Ontario is supporting low-income seniors by proposing to expand the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) program to about 100,000 more seniors and indexing the program annually to inflation.

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November is Fall Prevention Month in Canada, a time to raise awareness of this major safety issue for seniors. Each year, 20 to 30 per cent of Canadian seniors will experience a fall. These falls account for 85 per cent of all seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations. They can result in chronic pain, reduced mobility, a loss of independence and even death.

With other health problems, mitigating risks may come more naturally — think of the family member who skips fried foods for their cholesterol — but with falls, knowing the risks and being proactive can be just as easy and really make a difference.

There are three main risk factors:

Intrinsic Risks – These are things associated with the body and may be more pronounced as you get older. We know that as people get older, their risk level for falls increases. Examples of risks of this nature include:

• Gait or balance impairment – slow reaction time, shorter step lengths or limited range of motion
• Decreased vision or hearing
• Acute illness – symptoms such as fever, weakness, nausea or dizziness
• Muscle weakness and reduced fitness – the lack of strength and endurance necessary to prevent a slip or stumble from becoming a fall

Behavioural Risks – These are risks resulting from individual actions that someone may or may not do. Here are a few examples:

• Assistive devices – proper maintenance and use of devices is critical
• Clothing and shoes – shoes that do not provide the proper support, clothes that are difficult to put on or slippers with poor grip are all risks
• Certain medications – side effects that may cause dizziness or confusion

Environmental Risks – While the other risks have to do with an individual, these are associated with everything surrounding a person. With some studies showing 50 to 60 per cent of falls happen within the home², environmental hazards are important to be cognizant of. Here are some examples:

• Room environment – everything from a loose carpet to electrical cords to slippery floors
• Weather – in Canada, we’re used to frigid temperatures which means icy conditions that make slipping more likely
• Community hazards – these are often related to building design or community infrastructure that fails to take into account the experience of older people, such as no hand railings near steps

Knowing the types of risks is half of the battle. There are practical tips you can take to mitigate these risks.

• Monitor your health – regular check-ups to check eyesight and hearing every year or two is important
• Stay active – regular exercise can improve your overall health but also mean you’re less susceptible to falling

• Education and awareness – for both older adults and their caregivers, being cognizant of the risks and mitigation strategies
• Appropriate use of assistive devices – some seniors worry about the bulkiness or stigma associated with assistive devices, but they are key parts of reducing the chances of falls. Seeking advice from your doctor is recommended to ensure you’re using the appropriate device

• A safe environment – the only way to combat environmental risks is to change the environment, like removing clutter, ensuring proper lighting, removing hazards that could cause someone to trip or slip, etc.

Importantly, if a fall does happen, ensure that there are ways to call for help — whether it’s a call button in reach, living with someone who can help, etc.

For clinicians and caregivers, there are additional steps you can take to mitigate falls for patients. Start by completing a fall risk screening assessment upon patient admission, evaluating the patient’s needs and physical condition and regularly updating as needed. Tailor any interventions based on the patient’s needs and risk.

Medline can help standardize processes to address key risk factors for falls management. Not only do we look at falls management, but also safe patient handling and safe mobility from a holistic perspective. Together, these help promote patient and staff safety.

By reading up on the risks and mitigation strategies for falls, you’ve really embraced the spirit of Fall Prevention Month. By staying ready and aware, safety can be improved to help prevent dangerous falls for seniors.

The post Medline Canada Marks Fall Prevention Month With Safety Tips For Seniors And Caregivers appeared first on Muskoka411.

How does the program work? Starting on Friday, November 18 the Library’s Christmas tree will be decorated with wish lists from seniors in our community. The public can grab a wish list, purchase an item or two, then return the wrapped gifts to the Library by Monday, December 19.

Last year they were able to help around 160 seniors and provided some well needed holiday cheer to those that were drastically affected by COVID-19.

This year organizers will be partnering with: The Pines Long-Term Care Home, James Street Retirement Residence, Castle Peak Muskoka, The Friends charitable organization, and Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare.

Event Details –

Program: Santa For Seniors

Kick off: Friday, November 18 at 10:30 am

Program duration: Friday, November 18 to Monday, December 19

Location: Bracebridge Library – 94 Manitoba Street

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