Blog Posts

June is Senior’s Month, a time to recognize and celebrate older adults. While we celebrate seniors in our community, and their many contributions and achievements, Seniors’ Month also serves as an opportunity to generate increased awareness of the health and social issues that impact older adults.

An active lifestyle decreases your risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. It can even help improve things like balance. Read on to learn more about what the research says about the benefits of various forms of exercise.

Most people know smoking is bad for you, but just how bad is it? Tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for death due to lung cancer, and roughly 80% of lung cancers could be prevented if smoking was eliminated. Did you know that some of the benefits of not smoking occur within days of quitting? It is never too late to reap the benefits, and there are many strategies you can use to help you quit smoking for good.

Recent research on climate change and rapid urbanization predicts an increase in the intensity and frequency of natural disasters. In order to be better prepared should a natural disaster occur, we must understand the risks in our area and prepare a plan based on them.

Our ability to hear and speak allow us to communicate with others and are an important part of our emotional and social well-being. Issues with our hearing or speech that prohibit us from communicating can pose significant challenges such as social isolation.

May is Hypertension Awareness Month in Canada. An estimated 7.4 million people live with this condition that can increase their risk of strokes, heart attacks and other serious diseases. We have compiled the latest evidence-informed content to help you improve your heart health.

The weather is getting warmer and the days are feeling longer thanks to more sunlight. After what may have felt like a long winter, there is no better time to enjoy the outdoors than now. There are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors through activities that also improve your health and well-being.

Chances are cancer has affected your life in some way or another - either due to your own diagnosis or that of family members and friends. We have compiled some of the latest research about cancer prevention as well as treatment options to help you make decisions about your health.

April is National Oral Health Month, a good time to check-in on your teeth and gums. As we age, we have greater changes in our teeth and gums, which require more care rather than less. Learn more about maintaining your oral health as you age with our resources.

Caregiving is one of the greatest gifts we can provide a loved one and can also be a very rewarding experience. But it can also involve many challenges to the health, well-being and financial security of caregivers. We have compiled some of our caregiver resources that may be of help to you, or someone you know.

Many people have the desire to learn throughout their lives. Lifelong learning has been shown to improve psychosocial outcomes, self‐esteem and self‐efficacy, as well as give a sense of purpose and hope and enhance competencies and social integration.

Whether you’re looking to better understand tax credits and other benefits available to you, or simply looking to improve how you manage your finances in your later years, we have compiled some helpful resources to guide you.

It is Brain Awareness Week, a global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. There are several ways to maintain brain health including exercise, sleep and social interaction. We have rounded-up the latest research in each area to help you stay informed.

The government of Canada recently published a revised food guide, the first update in 12 years, that provides Canadians with new guidance on healthy eating. We have compiled the latest evidence-informed resources to help you better understand the new food guide recommendations using the latest trustworthy information from the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal.

Colder temperatures, snow, slush and shorter days often make us dream of a sunny getaway. If you’re planning to trade your winter boots for sandals on an upcoming winter vacation, we’ve compiled some helpful tips to make your trip enjoyable, and healthy too.

Humans are social animals by nature, no matter our age. While social needs vary from person to person and may change with age, it is important to maintain relationships with family or friends. We have compiled a few helpful resources and ideas to keep you engaged this winter, and throughout the year.

February is Heart Month, a time to increase awareness of heart-related conditions and further educate Canadians on ways to improve their overall heart health. Read through the latest materials on how to improve your heart health and make it a priority this month, and all year round.

World Cancer Day is an international day to raise awareness about cancer, encourage prevention, educate on detection, and inform people of treatment options. We have rounded up the latest evidence-based resources in three key areas to keep you up-to-date.

Mental illness can affect individuals of any age, including older adults. Common mental illnesses include depression and anxiety. Supporting mental health is a critical consideration to the healthy aging process. The good news is, in addition to the treatment recommended by your doctor, these five self-care strategies may help.

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in Canada, an opportunity to raise awareness of the most common type of dementia. Whether you want to learn more about dementia and what causes it or how to better care for a loved one diagnosed with this condition, our trustworthy, evidence-informed resources can help you.