Saturday, August 25, 2012

Is Your Diet Ageing You?



I like reading articles on how to age well.  Most articles I read about on aging tend to focus on our looks and the fact is, we are all going to show signs of age if we are lucky enough to live long.  I would like to see more articles that focus on aging well.  The tips mentioned in the article "Is Your Diet Ageing You?" on Yahoo have an overall health benefit, and the focus on avoiding crow's feet is ridiculous.  It's like when we talk about focusing on getting skinny when we are on a diet and exercise regime vs. getting healthy and physically fit. 

The simple solution is healthy lifestyle choices.  Eat well, exercise, avoid smoke and sun exposure and get a good dose of positive social contact.  Such a simple solution to Living Long and Well.

Check out the article, Is Your Diet Ageing You? on Yahoo and see what tips are recommended by the experts.  Avoiding sugar and junk food are two of the "tips".  Haven't we heard that one before?

Source:  http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea/health/news/article/-/14632976/is-your-diet-ageing-you/#comments

Have a great day!

Angela G. Gentile

Thursday, June 21, 2012

The Centenarian Diet

Special thanks to Muhammed Saleem for forwarding this information on Centenarians.  Great infographic on centenarians and the centenarian diet.  Living to 100+.


Source:  http://www.termlifeinsurance.org
For a larger version, go to this link:  http://www.termlifeinsurance.org/the-centenarian-diet/

Cheers,
Angela Gentile

Monday, April 23, 2012

The Joys of Aging




Wisdom, children/grandchildren, technology, recreation, travel, less stress and better communication.

These are some of The Joys of Aging.  From the Jamaica Observer.

Check out the full article here: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/allwoman/The-joys-of-aging

Have an awesome day,

Angela Gentile


Saturday, April 21, 2012

Get Real - The New Old Age


Read about the "dangers" of focusing on the belief that we have control over our destiny when it comes to how we age.  Getting real about living a healthy, active life and understanding that there are certain aspects that are out of our control is the most healthy way to approach getting older.


Have a great day!

Angela Gentile

Monday, April 2, 2012

How Aging Can Affect Your Sex Life



It's no secret that getting older can affect your sex life.  "How Ageing Affects Your Sex Life" is an article I found on the Times of India website.  There are a number of key points to consider when people are having difficulties in the "relations" area of their lives.  It includes information on menopause, medications, premature ejaculation, emotions and testosterone.  It is written with the expert input of Dr. Pulkit Sharma, Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalytical Therapist at the VIMHANS Hospital in Delhi.

Check out the complete article, here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/How-ageing-affects-your-sex-life/articleshow/12502220.cms

Have a great day,
Angela Gentile

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Lines of Beauty

Louise Cady-Fernandes, of Lines of Beauty 
Online, you can find numerous websites, blogs and articles written about getting older. That's the beauty of the world wide web.  We can share our opinions, insights and ideas with other like-minded individuals. There are many talented, optimistic hopefuls that encourage others to embrace our age, rather than dread it.  Every so often I come across a blog or website that uplifts, encourages and inspires.

Check out this blog, Lines of Beauty by Louise Cady-Fernandes.  She has a lot of great articles, pictures and tips on aging gracefully, one beautiful wrinkle at a time.

Thanks Louise, keep up the great work.

Cheers,
Angela Gentile

Saturday, March 31, 2012

How to Keep Your Voice Sounding Spry



People are very interested in aging well.  Appearances, physical health and mental health often get most of the attention.  Today I found this article that discusses how to keep your voice sounding spry.  Heaven forbid our voice sounds "old".  Those who work so hard at keeping fit, healthy and young at heart can't hide their age if the voice sounds old and raspy.

From the article, New Treatments Keep the Aging Voice Spry:

Tips for Preserving Speech for a Lifetime:

  • Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to maintain hydration.
  • Support the voice from abdominal muscles when speaking or singing.
  • Avoid "vocally abusive" activities such as yelling, screaming, coughing and throat-clearing.
  • Warm up the voice before using it.
  • Don't talk or sing at unnatural pitches.
  • Stay away from over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, which thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding of the vocal folds.
  • Drinks including caffeine and alcohol remove moisture from your system and should each be counteracted with an equal-sized glass of water.
Those days of "vocally abusive" yelling, screaming, coughing and throat-clearing should be long gone for those who want a beautiful voice.  So I advise, don't try to talk to your companion at the next concert.  If you have to cough, do it lightly.  Clear your throat with caution.  



Photo credit: http://www.increaseyourvocalrange.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/iStock_000013702862XSmall3.jpg

In the words of William James, I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing. 

Have a great day,
Angela Gentile

Friday, March 30, 2012

Should I Really Join Facebook?




Read it all the way through! It's a good laugh! AND really quite true!!

A good laugh for people in the over 50 group !!!

When I bought my Blackberry, I thought about the 30-year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter. I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, 13 grandkids and 2 great grandkids could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space.

That was before one of my grandkids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other program within the texting world.

My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.

The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say I get lost every now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep that in a box under my tool bench with the Blue tooth [it's red] phone I am supposed to use when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line at Barnes and Noble talking to my wife and everyone in the nearest 50 yards was glaring at me. I had to take my hearing aid out to use it, and I got a little loud.

I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady inside that gadget was the most annoying, rudest person I had run into in a long time. Every 10 minutes, she would sarcastically say, "Re-calc-u-lating." You would think that she could be nicer. It was like she could barely tolerate me. She would let go with a deep sigh and then tell me to make a U-turn at the next light. Then if I made a right turn instead...well, it was not a good relationship.

When I get really lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of the cross streets and while she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy, the GPS lady, at least she loves me.

To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordless phones in our house. We have had them for 4 years, but I still haven't figured out how I can lose three phones all at once and have to run around digging under chair cushions and checking bathrooms and the dirty laundry baskets when the phone rings.

The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden "Paper or Plastic?" every time I check out just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those cloth reusable bags to avoid looking confused, but I never remember to take them in with me.

Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or Plastic?" I just say, "Doesn't matter to me. I am bi-sacksual." Then it's their turn to stare at me with a blank look. I was recently asked if I tweet. I answered, No, but I do toot a lot.."

P.S. I know some of you are not over 50. I sent it to you to allow you to forward it to those who are.

We senior citizens don't need anymore gadgets. The TV remote and the garage door remote are about all we can handle.


  

Monday, March 26, 2012

Anti-Aging Bashing by Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis, 53

North America needs more people like Jamie Lee Curtis.  She is appalled that our culture has associated the word "anti" before the word aging.  She wishes that we (as a North American culture) could embrace the "older and wiser" view of aging like many other cultures and populations around the world.  She says its a normal and natural process of life.

Jamie Lee Curtis looks great for her age.  She is 53 years young.  She also advocates for people taking good care of themselves.  She wants men and boys to honor their women and to speak appropriately about women.  You Go Girl!

See the full article here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2119346/Jamie-Lee-Curtis-disgust-Americas-fight-ageing.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Cheers!
Angela Gentile

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Love Keeps Julia Roberts Looking Young

Julia Roberts 


Julia Roberts (44), well known actor in the USA, states that "love" is the secret to looking young.

She has a husband, three young children, and looks in the mirror once a day.  Happiness and the love of a good man, who she calls her Prince Charming, keep her looking good.

She also admits to keeping up "maintenance".

See the full story here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/celebrities/julia-roberts-love-keeps-me-looking-young-143768666.html

Have a great day!
Angela Gentile

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Living Longer and Being Happy About It


Laura Carstensen , Professor of Psychology and the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy at Stanford University, talks about the positivity factor:  How older people enjoy enhanced well-being in their later years. She believes that longer lives can and will improve quality of life at all ages.

The video is very inspirational and has great graphs and other visual aids.

See the video here (11:53): "TEDxWomen - Laura Carstensen" http://youtu.be/im0F91tUiek

Have a great day!
Angela Gentile

Friday, March 23, 2012

Preventing Falls in the Home

The dreaded trip, slip and fall.

There is an increased risk for falls in people aged 65 and over.  I came aross this short, helpful video on fall prevention in the home and wanted to share it here.  I have heard of many trips and falls in the home, resulting in devastating outcomes.  See this video for simple tips on how to make your home a no-fall zone.

Simple Ways to Create a No Fall Zone in Your Home:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Weti3W4LByQ

Have a great day,
Angela Gentile

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Remodeling Dated Long Term Care Facilities

The book, "aD2 now" is a book about remodelling and updating long term care facilities to accommodate the growing population of people living with dementia.

From the first page,

"The studio projects of the Carleton University Masters of Architecture students investigate
the issues facing Long Term Care facilities in Ontario. With the support of Carleton University Masters of Social Work students they have coordinated their efforts in (aD2)vocating for the residents of these facilities. The work is expressed through the identification elements of mind-body architecture and applied to a test project in Toronto, Ontario."

Social work and architecture students at Carleton University teamed up and provide advice on things like: wood ceilings, central nursing stations, therapeutic baths, taller windows, and continuous handrails.

As the population ages and more and more people are requiring 24-hour supervised care due to declining cognitive functioning, the older dated personal care homes will benefit from an update.

To see the article Architecture Book Lays Blueprint for Dementia Care on Canada.com, go to this link: http://www.canada.com/health/Architecture+book+lays+blueprint+dementia+care/6326031/story.html

Go to this link to view the online copy of "aD2 now" - http://newsroom.carleton.ca/wp-content/files/aD2-now.pdf

Regards,
Angela Gentile

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Fraud Prevention

An easy way to prevent fraud, is by changing your PIN (personal identification number) on your bank cards, debit/cash cards or credit cards.

In Toronto there was an event called, Change Your PIN Day, which was geared towards older adults and immigrants.  It's a good message for everyone.  I think many of us get into old habits and use the same PIN for a very long time.  We never get "prompted" to change our PINs like we get prompted to change our password on our computers at work.

See the full article, Fraud Prevention Event, here: http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/03/20/fraud-prevention-event-will-educate-elderly-and-new-immigrants-on-importance-of-changing-pin-numbers/

Sincerely,
Angela Gentile

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Gerontechnology

Gerontechnology is a term used to answer the question, "What can we make that will allow people to keep on doing what they do as long as possible?". 

I read a great article from the Vancouver Sun about "Super Senior" role models, bouncy floors, biometric sensors, smart canes, belts with built-in airbags and more.  It is likely that a lot of people will be intending to work past age 65-67, so we need to adapt our workplaces to accommodate and prevent falls.

We should also apply a lot of these gerontechnologies beyond the workplace.

We also have to have an environment that will help people "bounce back" after a fall.

Check out the article, "Helping Seniors Bounce Back From Falls" here: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Helping+seniors+bounce+back+from+falls/6328591/story.html

Regards,
Angela Gentile

Monday, March 19, 2012

A Happy, Stress-free Life is Key to Longevity

India's Manohar Aich says that happiness and stress-free living is key to longevity.  He should know.  He's just turned 100 and he is India's former Mr. Universe.

I would agree that for most, happiness and a life free of stress would help us live a more healthy lifestyle.  Stress has been known to cause more problems with our health.  Being happy and stress-free can help us live longer.

See the full article here:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/indias-former-mr-universe-turns-100-says-happiness-stress-free-life-key-to-his-longevity-143094626.html

Have a happy, stress-free day.

Angela Gentile

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Getting Older and Happier


New, encouraging information for those who are over 45.  Expect to get happier as we encounter middle age, according to a new happiness study involving 10,000 people in the UK and the US.  Found this in theguardian, life & style section.  Great findings and tips on weight, sleep, depression, and more.

See the full article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/mar/13/new-happiness-study-older-people.

Cheers,
Angela Gentile

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Top 10 Hotspots for Longevity

Monaco

Found this article on HuffPost Living, Canada.  Want to live longer?  Maybe you should move to Monaco.

The top 10 places that people live the longest include: Italy, Hong Kong and Monaco. In Monaco, you can live to an average of almost 90 years.  This article has some beautiful pictures as well.

See the full article here, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/14/longevity-hotspots_n_1339786.html?ir=Canada%20Living#s774605&title=10_Italy

Cheers,
Angela Gentile


Sunday, March 11, 2012

The Plumped Up New Face - Bizarre or Beautiful?

Cindy Crawford


There are definitely two camps in the anti-aging business when it comes to facial reconstruction.  Those who "do it", and those who "don't".  I found this article that talks about the fact that celebrities and others who can afford, are seeking the "pushed out rather than pulled back" new face look.  Faces are getting plumper, and this look is being criticized.

As the article states, you can't tighten a prune to get a grape.  All's you end up with is a tight prune.

Check out the article, Ageless? It is so Ageing, Darlinghttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2111494/Ageless-It-s-ageing-darling.html  by Mimi Spencer, Mail Online.

For an example of what kinds of changes can happen when botox and fillers are used, here's an article about our lovely popular, Cindy Crawford.  In this article, it is stated, "botox and fillers often have the unintended effect of making one look older."  Some of the comments report she is looking like Marie Osmond.   See what all the buzz is about here, in the article Cindy Crawford is different at the Caliche Rum launch:  Has she had work done?http://www.celebitchy.com/213948/cindy_crawford_looks_different_at_the_cliche_rum_launch_has_she_had_work_done/ by Bedhead, Celebitchy,

Cheers,
Angela Gentile

Friday, March 9, 2012

Combating Ageism by Changing Our Language



I am an advocate for turning the notion that getting older is not such a great thing to getting older is something to look forward to.  I found this older article from the UK, "Elderly no longer acceptable word for older people", that describes the language that is used in the media is sometimes ageist and harmful.  They are saying that the word "elderly" should not be used.  Instead, using the term, "older adult" or "man" or "woman" with their age after, is more acceptable.  I would full-heartedly have to agree.

A 60-year-old is by no means elderly, as suggested by one of the people who was 65, who commented on the article.

See the article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4596139/Elderly-no-longer-acceptable-word-for-older-people.html

The World English Dictionary defines "elderly" as an adjective - quite old; past middle age.

Miriam-Webster Online defines "elderly" as rather old.

The real question is how does our society define "old".  Both of the above definitions refer to old, and elderly being quite or rather old.  When asked, each person will have a different opinion about what "old" means.  Some people think it's a number, other's think it's a state of mind.

I am often watching the media for signs of ageism (discriminating or prejudging people based on their age).  Our language has to change, so that we can start looking at aging in a positive light, verses a negative one.   Stereotyping people based on age, on the number of years they have been on this earth, is not fair and can cause negative impact on their lives.  Let's work on combating ageism in our communities.

Have a great day,
Angela Gentile


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Scientists Find Immortal Worms

Here's some fascinating science - Immortal, asexual worms.  Can they provide clues to finding a cure for aging?  Check out this article.  See what you think.

Scientists find immortal worms

Not sure if living forever is the way to go.  What would we do with all the people?  Who would look after all the frail, elderly (VERY elderly), dependent souls?  We would run out of care providers, that for sure.

Have a great day!

Angela Gentile

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Beware of Scams




Scams Targeting Older Adults and others who are Vulnerable or Naive

It is becoming more and more common for me to hear about some of our older adult clients becoming involved in scams that end up costing them hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars.  The latest scam I have heard about is the senior receives a call stating that they have won millions of dollars, and all they have to do is submit their bank account information, submit a cheque to cover the taxes etc. and then they get the money.  Some people are very vulnerable, and trusting, and they can get quite caught up in the moment and the excitement.  This apparent windfall can also greatly improve the person’s mood, and they can actually appear euphoric.

Mix the announcement of this apparent lottery winning with the vulnerability of memory loss or cognitive impairment that can often accompany the advancement of years and the scammer has his or her next victim.  Judgement and insight may be slightly impaired, making the victim susceptible to being duped.  I have often come across mail, emails, and phone calls that proclaim a large sum of money is coming my way, but I can easily spot that it is not legitimate due to what kinds of information is in (or is lacking from) the communication. 

We are all possible victims of these phishing or direct scams.  For example, I received an email the other day from Canada Customs and Revenue Agency advising me that I have a refund of $410.00 coming to me.  I was instructed to click on the link provided so that I could give my bank account information etc. so that I could claim my refund.  This email is called “phishing” and I knew it was not legitimate because, 1.  the email was addressed to my email address, not my name and 2.  I had not put in my Income Tax documents yet and 3.  I had already given them my banking information for automatic deposits when I have a refund coming to me.  It would be very easy for someone who is new at using the computer to see this as legitimate and proceed with giving valuable, personal information that may cost them hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars.

I have also received a few emails from “Shaw”, “Visa”, “Paypal” and other imposters claiming that I need to urgently “update” my account details by clicking on the link provided or else my service may be suspended.  I know that if there was a real concern, I would most likely be getting a letter in the mail, or a phone call to my home asking me to call them regarding my account.  If you are a senior, and you are new at using the computer, you may be trusting and not realize that there are scammers out there trying to get your personal information.

Another scam that I am aware of is the “grandchild” scam.  Someone calls a senior, saying that they are their grandchild.  They ask, “Can you guess which one?”  And the senior responds with the person they think they are talking to, and then the person proceeds to represent that person and asks for some money to help them out (and to not tell their parents).  This becomes a secretive situation, and it often goes undetected, and continues for a long time. 

One of the best defenses for helping our seniors who end up getting phone calls is to report it to the bank, and the authorities and change the older person’s phone number.  Oftentimes the best defense is to be forewarned, and there is nothing else we can do.  Education is key.

I was also thinking that one of the best things we can do when assessing our older clients, is to ask them if there is anyone that they are giving/lending money to and if they have been told they have won money.   If there is a positive response to either of these questions, it warrants further investigation to determine if the person is being scammed or not.

There are many scams out there, and I have even been made aware of a situation where a man posed as a doctor, and told the older woman that he was going to help her get the “proper” walker for her, and he escorted her to the bank, got her to withdraw $500 and then left her to fend for herself to get home.  She never saw him again.

Most people are good and can be trusted.  There are a few bad apples in the bunch, and we just need to be on the lookout.  I provide this information to make you aware that there are scams that target trustworthy, vulnerable people and it is especially true for the older adult population.

Please share your comments here if you have any other insights or advice.

Sincerely,

Angela Gentile

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Assisted Loving - A Sweet Story

Here's a link to a sweet, short, 15 minute story about mature love.  Enjoy!

http://vimeo.com/35191718

Have an awesome day.

Angela Gentile