Two Views of Aging

In recent years, we've seen a shift in how technology helps older adults. Instead of just focusing on products designed specifically for "aging" or "elderly care," consumer electronics, like smartwatches and earbuds, are starting to play a big role in improving life for older adults.

Caring for the Frail: Many people believe that as soon as someone turns 65, they need products to help "care for them." This approach is important for those who are frail or need extra support, but it doesn’t reflect the reality for everyone.

Living Vibrantly: Many older adults are vibrant, independent, and active. Instead of "care products," they want tools and gadgets that enhance their quality of life and help them stay independent as they age.

Examples of Change:

Falls: Traditional medical alert pendants focus on summoning help after a fall. While reliable, they often look and feel stigmatizing. In contrast, smartwatches like the Apple Watch or similar devices from Google and Samsung offer fall detection features while looking stylish and modern. They say, “I’m tech-savvy,” not “I’m old and frail.”

Hearing Aids: Apple recently added hearing aid features to AirPods. While they may not be as advanced as traditional hearing aids, they don’t carry the same stigma. They look like everyday earbuds, which many people of all ages use.

Older adults are not all the same. Some need significant care and benefit from specialized medical devices. But many others just need tools to help them adjust to aging without feeling “old.”

Consumer electronics are stepping in to provide solutions that feel modern, aspirational, and empowering. They are not perfect yet, but they’re improving quickly. These innovations help older adults stay connected, independent, and confident.

Do seniors need Aspirational Products: Tools and gadgets that support vibrant older adults and improve their quality of life. Or do we need Medical Devices: Specialized products for those who are frail or need more intensive care. Understand the senior in your life and remember that the shift in technology shows us that aging is about more than “care.” It’s about living well and embracing tools that help us thrive at any age.

Why Shop Local? Support Your Community!

The Christmas rush is over and we are hunkering down waiting on the onslaught of bills to arrive in the post of online. However, we still have expenses that need to be met, so why not give your local business a boost.

When you shop at a local business, you're not just making a purchase you’re investing in your community. Every dollar you spend helps support local jobs, community events, and the unique character of your town. For example:

• A little girl can take dance lessons.

• A family puts food on the table.

• A student pays for college.

Studies show that for every $100 spent at a local, independent business, up to $63 is recirculated in the local economy, compared to only $14 when spent at multinational corporations. This money returns to your community through charitable donations, taxes, job creation, and local supply chains.

Local Spending: A Ripple Effect Local businesses have an outsized impact on job creation and economic growth:

• Local retailers re-circulate 45% of their revenue compared to 17% for chains.

• Local restaurants re-circulate 65% versus 30% for chain counterparts.

• Local suppliers re-circulate 33%, significantly more than 19% by large companies.

The Power of Local Ownership Locally owned businesses:

• Employ local residents and contribute to community stability.

• Support local charities, sports teams, and cultural events.

• Prioritize purchasing from local suppliers, keeping money in the region.

By choosing local businesses, you contribute to a vibrant, sustainable community. Let’s keep our towns unique, connected, and thriving—one purchase at a time.

Reduce your risk of falling in 2025

 The following information is from Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, November 2024

Falling for seniors can have serious consequences. Falls can change your life, or they can end your life. There are many risk factors that can contribute to falls. Among them, did you know that medications can increase the risk of falling? In fact, the more medications you take, the greater your risk of falling. This is a direct result of what is called  “medication overload". Researchers have estimated that our risk of falling increases by 75% when we take as few as four medications! However, it’s important to recognize that not all medications increase the risk of falling to the same degree.

Certain types of medications increase the risk of falls. Different types of medications can increase our risk of falls by affecting the way our body works. Here are a few examples:

·         Some medications can cause dizziness or drowsiness, making us less alert, affecting our coordination and potentially causing us to lose our balance.

·         Some medications cause our blood pressure or heart rate to drop, which increases the risk of dizziness and low blood pressure. This is particularly true when changing positions: for example, when moving from lying down to standing up.

·         Some medications lower blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels become too low (called hypoglycemia), it can make us feel weak or cause us to faint, leading to falls.

Ten Medications that increase your risk of falls

1. Sleeping pills

2. Antidepressants

3. Opioids

4. Diabetes medications

5. Diuretics for increased urination

6. Antipsychotics

7. Anti-epilepsy

8. Muscle relaxants

9. Prostate medications

10. Medications that dilate blood vessels.

What can you do? Start a conversation. Good communication with your doctor, pharmacist and/or nurse is essential to ensure safe and effective health care. To start a conversation, here are some questions you can ask about your medications:

1. Why am I taking this medication?

2. What are the potential benefits and harms of this medication?

3. Can it affect my memory or cause me to fall?

4. Can I stop or reduce the dose of this medication (i.e. deprescribing)?

5. Who do I follow-up with and when?

If you don't know the answers to the above questions, ask your health care provider at your next visit. Remember to bring a complete list of your medications.

Talking to Adult Children about money: Balancing Fairness in Unequal Circumstances

Some children are better off than others due to circumstances, life choices or other reasons, but as a parent or a grandparent wanting to help manage family dynamics should try to remember that family dynamics can get tricky when one child is better off than another, but fairness doesn’t always mean equality

Recognize that each child has unique circumstances, strengths, and challenges. Avoid comparing them or making assumptions. Emphasize the values and principles that unite your family, such as hard work, responsibility, and generosity.

Encourage your child to reflect on their own financial decisions and goals. Tailor your support to each child’s circumstances. For instance, helping a struggling child with rent doesn’t require giving an equivalent amount to a more financially secure sibling. Example: "I know you're struggling with debt, but I'm proud of you for taking steps to address it. Let's work together to develop a plan to get you back on track. "

Help them identify areas for improvement and develop a plan to achieve their objectives. Put yourself in your child's shoes and try to understand their perspective. Explain your reasoning openly to avoid resentment. For example, “I helped your sibling because they needed it, but I hope you know that I value and support you equally.”

Acknowledge and celebrate your child's financial successes, no matter how small they may seem. This helps build confidence and motivation.

If direct financial support isn’t feasible or fair, offer help in other ways, such as providing childcare, sharing advice, or gifting heirlooms.

Involve the family in discussions about inheritance plans or other ways you intend to balance support. This avoids surprises and fosters mutual understanding.

By emphasizing fairness over strict equality and communicating openly, you can help preserve harmony while supporting your children in meaningful ways.

Discussing money with adult children is an opportunity to strengthen family bonds and instill lifelong financial habits. By fostering open communication, setting thoughtful boundaries, and addressing fairness with sensitivity, we can guide our children toward financial freedom while maintaining balance and harmony in the family. Remember to prioritize open communication, empathy, and understanding, and to focus on shared values and goals