Seniors get a raise

An increase to the Old Age Security pension for seniors aged 75 years and older begins next week, which I think is unfair to all those younger seniors between the ages of 65 and 75. We received our first increase last month and I must admit every increase helps. This raise will be the first permanent increase to the OAS pension since 1973, other than adjustments due to inflation. In 1970 Old Age Security benefits were $79 per month according to the Canadian Museum of History. So have these payments kept up with inflation? 

Yes, they have. According to the Inflation Calculator, $79 in 1970 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $589.80 today, an increase of $510.80 over 52 years.  Today’s OAS is about $668 for those under 75 and $773 for those over 75. So today as seniors we have slightly more buying power than the $79 that seniors had in 1973. The amounts may look more but it is always important to calculate buying power and adjust for inflation.

The dollar had an average inflation rate of 3.94% per year between 1970 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 646.58%. This means that today's prices are 7.47 times higher than average prices since 1970, according to Statistics Canada's consumer price index. A dollar today only buys 13.394% of what it could buy back then.

The inflation rate in 1970 was 3.35%. The current inflation rate compared to last year is now 7.20%. If this number holds, $79 today will be equivalent in buying power to $84.69 next year. For example, if you started with $79, you would need to end with $589.80 in order to "adjust" for inflation (sometimes referred to as "beating inflation").

These numbers are important to remember when you are saving for retirement. If you don’t account for inflation your retirement may not be what you think it will be.

It is important for Canadians to remember that the objective of the OAS program is not to ensure an adequate pension but to ensure a minimum income for seniors and help reduce the incidence of low income among Canada’s seniors. The OAS benefits include the OAS pension, which is paid to all individuals aged 65 and older who meet the residence requirements; the GIS for low-income seniors; and the Allowances for low-income Canadians aged 60 to 64 who are the spouses or common-law partners of GIS recipients, or who are widowed or widowers.

The good news is that all OAS benefits are indexed, on a quarterly basis (in January, April, July and October), so that they maintain their value over time, even as prices increase. Increases to OAS benefits are calculated using the Consumer Price Index, which measures changes in prices paid by Canadian consumers for goods and services. In July 2022, as a result of quarterly indexation, maximum OAS benefits increased by 2.8%. 

Eating fruit is good for your well being. Who Knew?

A recent study surveyed 428 adults and looked at the relationship between their consumption of fruit, vegetables, and sweet and savoury food snacks and their psychological health. The more often people ate fruit, the lower they scored for depression and the higher for mental well-being.

According to new research from the College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, people who frequently eat fruit are more likely to report greater positive mental wellbeing and are less likely to report symptoms of depression than those who do not,

The researchers’ findings suggest that how often we eat fruit is more important to our psychological health than the total amount we consume during a typical week. The team also found that people who eat savoury snacks, which are low in nutrients, are more likely to report greater levels of anxiety.

After taking demographic and lifestyle factors such as age, general health and exercise into account, the research found that both nutrient-rich fruit and nutrient-poor savoury snacks appeared to be linked to psychological health. They also found that there was no direct association between eating vegetables and psychological health.

Based on the survey, the more often people ate fruit, the lower they scored for depression and the higher for mental wellbeing, independent of the overall quantity of fruit intake.

People who frequently snacked on nutrient-poor savoury foods were more likely to experience ‘everyday mental lapses’ (known as subjective cognitive failures) and report lower mental wellbeing. A greater number of lapses was associated with higher reported symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression, and lower mental wellbeing scores.

By contrast, there was no link between these everyday memory lapses and fruit and vegetable intake or sweet snacks, suggesting a unique relationship between these nutrient-poor savoury snacks, everyday mental lapses, and psychological health.

Examples of these frustrating little everyday mental lapses included forgetting where items had been placed, forgetting the purpose of going into certain rooms, and being unable to retrieve names of acquaintances whose name was on the ‘tip of the tongue’.

Other studies have found an association between fruit and vegetables and mental health, but few have looked at fruit and vegetables separately – and even fewer evaluate both frequency and quantity of intake.

Both fruit and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, fibre and essential micronutrients which promote optimal brain function, but these nutrients can be lost during cooking. As we are more likely to eat fruit raw, this could potentially explain its stronger influence on our psychological health.

“It is possible that changing what we snack on could be a really simple and easy way to improve our mental wellbeing. Overall, it’s definitely worth trying to get into the habit of reaching for the fruit bowl.

Summer humour with a groan

The dog days of summer are here and as summer winds down, enjoy the following 

Two doctors, Dean and Gable, are treating a man with lung disease. They’re explaining how his smoking weed has led to his condition worsening. 

“But it’s just herbal!” the patient protested. “How can it be bad?” 

Dr. Jenkins sighed. “Nature isn't all innocent. Apricot stones contain lethal amounts of cyanide. There is a certain plant in my back garden - if you sit under it for just 5 minutes, you will die. Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe for you!” 

The man seemed to accept that and promised to stop smoking. A

After he left, the doctors went to lunch. 

As they were sitting down to eat, Dr. Smith asked, 

“Oh by the way, what IS that plant that kills you if you sit under it?” 

“A water lily."

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 A panel of doctors was asked for their opinions concerning a proposal to build a new wing for their hospital. This was what they said: 

The Allergists could barely breathe for the shock. 

The Dermatologists preferred no rash moves be made. 

The Psychiatrists thought the whole thing was deluded. 

The Radiologists could see right through it. 

The Gastroenterologists had a gut feeling about it being a bad idea; The whole thing gave them a stomach ache. 

The Neurologists thought the administration had a big brain idea. 

The Ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted but rectifiable. 

The Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body." while hiding behind a patient. 

The Pediatricians said, "Grow up!", then held their breath until blue. 

The Plastic Surgeons said this was a stretch. 

The Podiatrists were afraid it was the wrong step. 

The Urologists felt they were pissing away money. 

The Anesthesiologists thought it was a pipe dream.

 The Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no... 

And the Surgeons weren't even allowed to cut in!

Summer humour

 The 13 Funniest Things Said During a Colonoscopy 

1. 'Take it easy, Doc. You're boldly going where no man has gone before!' 

2. 'Find Amelia Earhart yet?' 

3. 'Can you hear me NOW?' 

4. 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?' 

5. 'You know, in Turkey, we're now legally married.' 

6. 'Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?' 

7. 'You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out...'

 8. 'Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!' 

9. 'If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!' 

10. 'Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity.' 

11. 'You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?' 

12. 'God, now I know why I am not gay.' 

And the best one of all: 

13. 'Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there?'

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A man went to the doctor. He said, "Doc, you gotta check my leg. Something's wrong. Just put your ear up to my thigh, you'll hear it!"

The doctor cautiously placed his ear to the man's thigh only to hear, "Gimme 20 bucks, I really need 20 bucks."

"I've never seen or heard anything like this before, how long has this been going on." The doctor asked.

"That's nothing Doc. put your ear to my knee."

The doctor put his ear to the man's knee and heard it say "Man, I really need 10 bucks, just lend me 10 bucks!!"

"Sir, I really don't know what to tell you. I've never seen anything like this." The doctor was dumbfounded.

"Wait Doc, that's not it. There's more, just put your ear up to my ankle," the man urged him.

The doctor did as the man said and was blown away to hear his ankle plead, "Please, I just need 5 bucks. Lend me 5 bucks please if you can."

 I have no idea what to tell you," the doctor said. "There's nothing about it in my books," he said as he frantically searched all his medical reference books.

 "I can make a well-educated guess though. Based on my life and all my previous experience I can tell you that your leg appears to be broke in three places."