June is Seniors' Month

Every year in June, Ontarians celebrate Seniors’ Month in order to acknowledge and honour the valuable contributions made by seniors every day to their families and communities.

 
This year’s theme is Active Living—It’s For Life.

The Canadian Mental Health Association will be holding a Seniors’ Wellness Fair June 21 at Pioneer Manor from 1 pm – 3:35 pm.

This event is free of charge and will feature guest speakers and information displays about mental health, healthy eating, physical activity, safe driving, medication safety, elder abuse and other interesting topics.

There are approximately 1.5 million seniors in Ontario who are 65 years of age and over. This is 40 percent of Canada’s seniors’ population.

The number of seniors in Ontario and around the world is expected to increase even more rapidly when baby boomers turn 65 beginning in 2011. In
2041, it is estimated that 23 percent of Ontario’s population will be older than 65.

Seniors’ wellness may be affected by factors such as social isolation, reduced mobility, physical or chronic illnesses, financial difficulties and reduced contact with family and friends. Seniors can improve their well being by taking the initiative to contact relatives, friends, and neighbours; chatting with friends and relatives on the phone; joining activities arranged by nearby social centres; joining patient self-help groups; and learning stress management techniques such as deep breathing, journaling, positive thinking, relaxation and meditation.

To learn more about seniors’ wellness, citizens of all ages are encouraged to attend this special event.

For More Information: http://www.northernlife.ca/lifestyleArticle.asp?32id11-pn=&view=89801