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PERSPECTIVE You’re never too old to learn
By Joanne McQuarrie editor@columbiavalleypioneer.com
Every day is an opportunity to learn, including in the later years of one’s life. It’s good for the brain and body, it’s good for confidence, and it’s mind-expanding.
There are many, many senior citizens right here in the area who have lives full of activity and healthy busyness; some have been featured in the Pioneer over the years. These folks are wonderful sources of inspiration.
February is Psychology Month, reads CANES community care website. It notes the last couple of years have been stressful for people of all ages, but seniors, especially. When surveyed, one out of five Canadian seniors said they experienced emotional distress in the past two years and found it difficult to cope of their own. As well, 14 per cent of Canadian seniors said they specifically had problems with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. CANES community care offered a few tips: The first is to keep busy with games and activities - reading more and often; keep a journal - it helps to manage and alleviate stress and anxiety; learning a new language; play a musical instrument; do puzzles and play games.
Another tip is to stay active and get enough exerciseboth are important for both physical and mental health. Exercise can help manage stress, anxiety and depression.
A third tip is to stay connected with family and friends; letter-writing is a good plan, or a phone call, and there’s the advantage technology too, with FaceTiming and Zoom get-togethers.
How about pursuing a new hobby? There’s a huge variety of activities to do - painting, dancing, crafting, gardening. Hobbies help increase the neuroplasticity of the brain and as these neuronal connections are strengthened and new connections are established, folks feel comforted and gain an increased sense of belonging.
Volunteering can be a healthy pursuit too; there are many organizations in communities to help out.
Pets are a wonderful connection with unconditional love. If it’s not possible to own a pet, volunteering at an animal pet shelter is a good way to connect with animals, and help an organization at the same time.
Sometimes it’s good to reach out for help with challenges such as depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns. A partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association/Peel Branch, CANES Community Care, and Reconnect Mental Health Services can provide mental health support services for older adults. Here’s a website to check out: https://www.canes.on.ca/services/ intensive-seniors-community-team
