Ageism in Canada

According to our Senior Advocate, "Ageism is one of the most pervasive forms of discrimination — and a lot of people are guilty of it. 

The following is from a report from Revera on Agism (pdf file) in Canada.  Despite an aging population, ageism is widespread in Canada. It is the most tolerated form of social prejudice when compared to gender– or race-based discrimination.

•      Six-in-ten (63%) seniors 66 years of age and older say they have been treated unfairly or differently because of their age

•      One-in-three (35%) Canadians admit they have treated someone differently because of their age; this statistic goes as high as 43% for Gen X and 42% for Gen Y

•      Half (51%) of Canadians say ageism is the most tolerated social prejudice when compared to gender- or race-based discrimination

•      Eight-in-ten (79%) Canadians agree that seniors 75 and older are seen as less important and are more often ignored than younger generations in society

•      Seven-in-ten (71%) agree that Canadian society values younger generations more than older generations • One-in-five (21%) Canadians say older Canadians are a burden on society

Ageism does not discriminate. It comes in many forms and from many different sources.

• Age discrimination towards seniors 66 and older comes primarily from younger people (56%). More than one-in-four (27%) seniors say they’ve experienced age discrimination from government and more than one-third (34%) from healthcare professionals and the healthcare system

•      Nearly nine-in-ten seniors 66 and older who encountered ageism from the government, attribute it to programs and policies that do not take into account the needs of older people

•      Nearly eight-in-ten seniors 66 and older who reported age discrimination in healthcare, said a healthcare professional had dismissed their complaints as an inevitable sign of aging

•      The three most common forms of age discrimination faced by Canadian seniors include:

§  being ignored or treated as though they are invisible (41%)

§  being treated like they have nothing to contribute (38%)

§  assuming that they are incompetent (27%)It’s clear that if we don’t address ageism as a societal issue now,

It will compound and become more entrenched as our population ages. Change however, won’t happen overnight, and it is not the exclusive responsibility of any one group. In collaboration and consultation with older people, individuals, organizations and policy makers all have a role to play in building an age-inclusive society. As individuals and as a society, we must shine a light on the issue of ageism. 

We need to recognize, call out and challenge the negative stereotypes and assumptions about aging and older people. Rather than make assumptions about an individual’s abilities or quality of life based on their age, we need to be open-minded, view aging with optimism and reach out to older adults as vibrant, important and valued contributors to society.

Organizations need to raise awareness of ageism and be active contributors to ending it. As employers, the value and significant contributions older workers can and do make should not be overlooked.

We also need to better understand and meet the diverse needs of older consumers – after all, they encompass a broad age range, and the needs of a 65-year-old may be quite different to those of an 85-year-old. Policy makers, both government and non-governmental agencies, need to collaborate and plan for an age-inclusive Canada.

Building on the work that governments are already doing, there needs to be continued focus on developing policies that enable people of all ages to have the choices they need to live their lives to the fullest. Canadians overall have a negative perception of aging.

•      89 per cent of Canadians associate aging with something negative like not being able to get around easily, losing independence or being alone

•      Gen Y and Gen X are the most likely to hold a negative perception of aging; they are the least likely to think people 75 and older are pleasant, independent or healthy, yet the most likely to describe them as grumpy. A further one-in-three describe them as dependent, sick or frail

Finally, the older you get, the more optimistic you are about aging.

•      While the majority of seniors 66 and older are optimistic about aging, the opposite is true of younger generations, specifically Gen Y’s and Gen X’s

•      Canadians 66 and older are the most likely to associate aging with something positive like having more time to do things they love and more time to spend with those they care about, as well as being wiser and more self-assured

•      Seniors 66 and older are the most likely to say “age is just a number” (41%) and approximately two-in-five say “you never stop living life to the fullest” (36%) and “the best is yet to come” (40%)

Saving Money During a Recession:

Recession is a word that fills people with dread and bad visions.  It's a time people consider bad for finances, a time capable of magically shrinking a dollar's value overnight.  It also automatically increases the cost of basic living.  And where money is a huge concern, people always ask, 'Can I still save for real during a recession?'  The answer is: of course you can.  You just need to be wise and creative about the whole thing.  Here are ways how:

Plan your purchases.

By planning your purchases, you're effectively planning your expenses.  This will help eliminate the danger of impulse buying and unnecessary spending.  Try to look at the bigger picture when it comes to your basic needs.  

Plan for a week's worth of groceries, for example, so you'll have an idea of which items you truly need (and want) and which items you can do away with.  To make sure that you maximise your planning efforts, consider incorporating items on sale into your planning.  If there are foods on sale that week, for example, why not plan your week's menu using what's currently on slashed down prices?

Implement the 'B' word.

Budget, that is.  If you want to be able to save money during a recession, learn to discipline yourself and your family.  Using your plan as a reference, come up with a weekly or monthly budget and then stick to it.  If you must overshoot it, you should have a very good reason to do so.  Otherwise, don't spend.

Keep an eye out for bargains and discounts.

Learn to monitor stores for seasonal sales.  You'll save a lot of money by buying items on sale than in their regular prices.  During a recession, that's considered wise spending.  Check out store or newspaper ads and don't be shy about asking for cheaper alternatives, getting store rebates or using discount coupons.  Consider buying at discount stores as well.  Each dollar you don't pay is a dollar you save.

Buy in bulk.

If there are items in your house that are often in use (paper towels, canned beans, yoghurt, etc.), consider buying in bulk.  Many stores offer items in packs, which means you'll save money in the long run if you buy them instead of paying for individual items.  

Put off bigger purchases.

A good rule of thumb is, if you can't afford it, don't buy it.  If, for example, you have enough money for a downpayment on a new LCD TV but will have to borrow money off your credit card just to tide you over for the next few weeks, it would be really insane to make a purchase.  Wait until you can truly, comfortably afford something.  The worst you can do during a recession is not just failing to get money saved but also going into debt.

Practice prevention, not cure.

If you look closely, there are many things you do in your home that are syphoning precious dollars from your wallet.  Simple steps such as repairing and maintaining your home and appliances, using more efficient equipment and cutting down on unnecessary consumption can do wonders for your wallet and piggy bank.  And what better way to treat a recession than to be prudent?

Earn extra money.

If, after all, your efforts, the money you have saved is still not enough, don't let the recession get the better of you.  There are times when your efforts are just not sufficient – mostly because you don't earn enough.  Instead of asking for a raise that might never occur or waiting for a promotion to drop on your lap, consider finding other means with which to earn (and save) money.  

Consider getting a part-time job, work extra hours, do selling on the side or offer your skills as a freelancer.  The extra income you earn, along with your recession-powered money-saving plan, will help you make enough until after the tough times are over.

Medical alerts for kidney stones

Many people are not aware of it but there are actually different types of kidney stones that some individuals suffer from. Among those types, the most common that most people develop is called "calcium oxalate stone." While others are called "struvite stones," "uric acid stones," and "cystine stones." These types vary depending on what cause them and their characteristics. 

People who are prone to kidney stones must familiarise themselves with the different types as early as possible so they would know what to adjust. Aside from setting lifestyles changes, knowing what type of kidney stones develop in the body is also important because it will help you do the things that will prevent their existence in your body system. 

The symptoms of kidney stones

To be able to address the condition properly, it a must for people who are prone to having kidney stones to familiarise themselves with the condition. In order to determine if one is suffering from kidney stones, here are some medical alerts or symptoms to be noted: 

1. Pain in all levels. As vague as it is, pain in varying levels is one of the major medical alerts of kidney stones. Considered as a common symptom for kidney stones, pain may vary depending on the size of the kidney stone and the length of time that it remains undiagnosed. Experts say that pain—which can be mild or extreme—is normal for people who suffer from kidney stones. This is because as the stone increases in size and weight, the more discomfort it brings especially during urination. Another form of pain that can be experienced due to kidney stones is from renal colic, which brings waves of severe pain that last for more than 10 minutes and can even last for an hour depending on the location of the kidney stone.

2. Blood in the urine or "hematuria."  The presence of blood in the urine is quite disturbing but this is one of the most common medical alerts of kidney stones. 

Other symptoms of kidney stones include nausea or vomiting, pain with urination, and at times, the urgent need to urinate which are usually characterised among children and adults. 

The importance of diagnosis 

Did you know that almost 50 percent of the people who suffer from kidney stones would likely have them again in the next 10 years or so? This is because many of the sufferers do not continue medication and they cease from maintaining healthy diet and lifestyle. 

People who are likely to suffer from kidney stones can go to any hospital's Emergency Room or "ER". Here, you can ask the attending physician or the hospital clerk on duty to undergo testing. It is advantageous for you to go straight to the ER because hospital people will attend to you directly. In most cases, it would take a long time before one can actually set at check up with a specialist. So it would be best if you go directly to the ER and get the prompt attention that you need.

Diagnosis can be done through an assessment of the person's clinical history, a physical examination, laboratory evaluation, and x-ray for follow up. Having early diagnosis can definitely help you determine which type of kidney stone is present and would lead to faster and reliable treatments.

How to Choose Golf Shoes

We have yet to go out golfing, but the time is near and we will once again take our weekly walk around the various golf courses that we play. I will never be a good golfer as I only go out once a week and I do not spend a great deal of time practising. But when I am out, I want to be comfortable when I am walking.

I know that my swing will change, my accuracy and distance will improve with practice, and I might become deadly with a putter, but I understand that I will always do these things while standing on my feet.

I don't know about you but I think that your feet need to be comfortable! Have you ever developed a blister while walking or running? It’s all you can think about and it ruins the experience. Don’t let uncomfortable shoes ruin your golf game.

This is one area where you shouldn’t let your frugality make the decision for you. You will be wearing these shoes many times and they should be considered an investment.

Comfort should be your biggest concern when buying shoes. Your foot should not move at all on your heel when you walk, yet your toes shouldn’t feel cramped. Have you shoes professional fit to your feet and walk around in them, before you buy them.

Proper golf shoes should be waterproof so that your feet remain dry in damp conditions. Good socks are important too; they will wick perspiration away from your feet, keeping your feet dry and comfortable.

All golf courses prohibit metal spiked shoes in the effort to protect their delicate greens. Purchase shoes that allow you to change the rubber spikes easily, and while you’re there, purchase some extras. You never know when you might lose one. Replace the spikes when they become worn.

With all the things you have to worry about while playing golf, your feet shouldn’t be one of them. When it comes to golf footwear, quality counts.