What if you were diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other health condition? You would expect your doctor to discuss the best treatments, and more often than not, you would receive a written prescription for medication. But what if, along with your pills, you also received an Rx to join a community gardening project, or meet up with a seniors’ choir group, or connect with a particular social support tailored to your unique situation? “Social prescribing” recognizes that our health—and healing—can’t be treated just by doctors or medicine alone.

Is it time to give your retirement suite a spring decorating refresh? We’ve curated some of this year’s top décor and design trends that work especially well for seniorliving suites and apartments.

Studies show older adults can maintain and improve brain health through a lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, cognitive and social stimulation, and good nutrition. Retirement communities gives residents easy access to group exercise and mind-body activities, mind-fitness workshops, games and discussion groups in a social environment that promotes brain health. Residents can find meaning and purpose through volunteer programs and enjoy tasty, nutritious meals dining with friends.

Canadian women live about 4 years longer than men, but women over 65 are more likely to develop dementia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, depression, stroke, and migraines. Greater awareness of these elevated risks enables older women to prevent or manage conditions such as dementia with personalized lifestyle prescriptions, and arthritis with range-of-motion exercises. Strengthening social connections can prevent or ease depression, and brisk daily walks can help keep bones strong.

Are you an unpaid caregiver to an elderly parent or loved one? You’re not alone. In a recently released 2023 survey, Statistics Canada reported that in 2018, over one-quarter of Canadians aged 15+ were caregivers, providing 5.7 billion hours of unpaid care. And that number is growing.

Despite February being the shortest month of the year, it can sometimes feel like a very long stretch for seniors when spring is still far away. Here are five ways to enjoy this month even if the weather is colder and drearier than we’d like!

Social isolation increases the risks of heart disease, infectious illness, anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. Retirement living can contribute to a solution by offering seniors more daily opportunities to socialize with peers through recreational activities, themed social events, discussion groups and meals with friends. Socializing in a retirement community can improve health by strengthening the heart, reducing depression and anxiety, boosting brain health and immunity, and encouraging more physical activity.

Enjoying certain Valentine’s Day treats in moderation confers surprising health benefits for seniors. Studies suggest that eating flavanol-rich, dark chocolate may boost heart and brain health, and lift your mood. Drinking a glass of red wine with dinner may lower diabetes and heart disease risk, while savouring chocolate-dipped strawberries can reduce inflammation.

Were you able to get together with friends and family this holiday season? For many seniors, this was the first time in a couple of years they were able to enjoy holiday gatherings—although sometimes with health precautions still in place.

Looking for ways to spend more time with your grandchildren this winter? Here are some great ideas for turning cold, snowy days (and nights) into an indoor winter fun-land!

Maintaining a healthy, stable weight can be challenging for older adults due to factors such as a slowing metabolism, reduced calorie needs and changes in sense of smell and taste. Eating frequent smaller meals, choosing nutrient-dense foods, and dining with others can increase the appetite of seniors trying to gain weight. Exercising regularly, shifting to healthier food choices, and reducing portion sizes can be helpful in reducing excess weight.

People often find it challenging to keep their New Year’s resolutions. But moving into a retirement community could be a catalyst and opportunity for you to realize and stick with your health resolutions. Easy access to recreational activities that increase mobility, endurance and flexibility, brain fitness and art enrichment programs, and tasty, nutritious meals with friends can help make your health goals doable and sustainable.