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.

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.

Looking for a way to boost your walking power that’s also joint friendly, gives you an upper-body and core workout, and helps your balance too? Welcome to Nordic pole walking, a fun—and senior friendly activity—that all people, including those with arthritis, shoulder problems, and Parkinson’s, may find enjoyable and helpful in managing their health.

Lower back pain becomes more prevalent with aging and professional medical guidelines recommend nondrug treatments as the most effective first line of treatment. You can help prevent back pain by practicing back-healthy habits, along with daily stretching and core strengthening exercises. Studies show yoga, tai chi, physical therapy, massage, and appropriate use of cold and heat therapies may ease lower back pain, speed recovery, and improve quality life.

Spring offers many opportunities to walk outdoors in a variety of natural settings, which can boost your physical and mental health. Studies shows walking in nature can help to keep your heart fit, calm your mind, lift your mood, lower anxiety, and ease chronic pain. Walking outdoors also supports brain health by sharpening your thinking and judgement, preserving memory, and reducing dementia risk.

The weather is warming up, and more than ever this year, it’s time to celebrate spring outdoors If you need more motivation than throwing off your winter parka, remember that being outside is good for your mental, physical and emotional health.

Taking care of plants and gardening can do wonders for your well-being. Scientific research has shown that simply being in contact with plants can improve your mental and physical health. On top of that, gardening is a great excuse to get some much-needed exercise and therefore can help you maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure.

There are numerous ways for seniors to combat boredom, including keeping mentally, physically and spiritually active, trying new things, and importantly, maintaining a social life with friends and family. But while it’s easy to identify the antidotes to boredom, how do you apply them?

Although Canadian women live longer than Canadian men, older women are more likely to develop chronic illnesses and disability. Moving to a retirement community can help women, including those whose spouses are in poor health or have passed away, reduce chronic illness risks through stimulating social and physical activities. They can also improve their health and quality of life with easy access to artistic pursuits and nutritious meals with friends.

Moving to and living in a retirement home offers older adults easy access to diverse recreational programs that provide powerful, wide-ranging therapeutic and health benefits. Moving to music boosts brain health and longevity, stretching programs improve balance and flexibility, and savouring positive moments builds emotional resilience. Volunteering strengthens social bonds and gives a sense of purpose, while pursuing artistic passions lifts your mood.

Five new studies show how lifestyle prescriptions promote brain health with aging and lower dementia risk. Four key lifestyle factors – regular physical activity, mental stimulation, social engagement, and good nutrition – each help to keep your mind sharp and lower the risk of developing dementia.