A wicked sense of humour

My granny and I were very close. I loved how her feisty attitude and quick wit made everything fun.

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Lifts and transfers: Thoughts for caregivers

When the person you care for is unable to easily move from the bed to the chair, or on to another surface, you may be asked to provide assistance. This can be a high-risk activity.

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My silver-haired dad

My father was a bachelor until he met my mother, who was much younger than him, at quite a late age. They married and I was born a year later.

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TRAINLOAD JACKSON’S STORY: Gratitude

My grandfather passed away a few years ago after a brave battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In his prime, he was a tall, strong man who could move a washing machine or refrigerator without batting an eyelash.

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Aging gracefully: Oxymoron or reality?

“Joyous, happy and healthy” is the response I recently received from a friend when I conducted an informal survey on what it means to age gracefully.

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Faded memories

Mom was a lonely widow in her 70s when we asked her to write her childhood stories and stories from her ancestors.

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Saying farewell: How today’s funerals are changing

What I’ve noticed between before 50 and now is that funerals have changed. Funerals are evolving to become more of a family celebration.

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New beginnings

People often ask me, “How long has your father-in-law been in the home?” I tell them $80,000 worth—they look at me with bewilderment and I say three years.

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Understanding vitamin and mineral supplementation: What you need to know

Recent research indicates that over 50 per cent of baby boomers take some form of vitamin or mineral tablet daily, with a third of Canadians aged 50 years and over combining vitamins, minerals and herbs regularly.

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Coping with loss: Tips for yourself and others

Loss is an inevitable part of life and coping with it is always a painful. At times, it can be an excruciating experience. However, with the help of ourselves, family and friends, we can learn to cope more effectively.

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