Seniors are Concerned About Ontario Drug Plan Cuts

Cuts to Benefits or Pharmacy Care Would Hurt Seniors First and Worst


TORONTO, October 29, 2009 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Older Canadians Network / Alliance of Seniors (Network/Alliance) is warning the Ontario government that any cuts to the prescription drug program would disproportionately affect the province's senior citizens.

Some news reports have quoted the Premier and Minister of Finance saying that priorities such as health will not be targeted for spending cuts, and will remain "sustainable". But other news reports quoted the executive officer of the drug program, Helen Stevenson, saying that payments to pharmacists are being targeted.

"Pharmacy is health care, and it's health care seniors as a group depend on more than anyone else," said Jack Pinkus, President of the Network/Alliance. "We are very concerned about this. If the government goes ahead with the cuts they are discussing, it would hurt seniors first and worst. If you cut funding to the pharmacists, it will mean cuts to pharmacy services for seniors. It's that simple."

Pinkus, a retired pharmacist himself, said nearly all his organization's senior members rely on their pharmacies to help maintain their health. "It's about older people taking a number of different medicines, who need special instructions and drug packaging. It's about people who can't drive getting their prescriptions delivered to their home. It's about people with diabetes and breathing problems needing extra help managing their conditions. If the government cuts funding for pharmacists, how can they assure us that these services will still be available?" he said.

The Network/Alliance is urging the government not to cut drug program funding for either drug benefits or services, since both are needed to keep seniors healthy and avoid health complications that can lead to hospitalization and even greater healthcare costs.


Founded in 1993, the Network/Alliance is a non-partisan, non-profit coalition of community and seniors' organizations which advocates for policies of benefit to present and future generations of Canadians.

Guelph students save bus full of kids

Kortright Hills Public School children win CAA School Safety Patroller of the Year Award


GUELPH, ON, October 28, 2009 /Canada NewsWire/ - CAA South Central Ontario is pleased to announce the Patricia A. Curran Award (CAA School Safety Patroller of the Year Award) to two students from Kortright Hills Public School.

Kathleen Zavitz (grade 7) and Alexis Smith (grade 5) are both responsible for saving the lives of 12 of their fellow classmates following a bus accident last year. Their quick response during a school bus rollover was instrumental in helping twelve students get out safely last November.

The presentation will be held:

Date: Friday, October 30, 2009

Time: 9:45 - 10:15 am

Attendees: Guelph Police Chief Rob Davis; Inspector Maurice Obergan; CAA program design specialist Leslie Rocha; Martha Rogers - Director of Education Upper Grand District School Board; Linda Benallick - Superintendent of Education

Location: Kortright Hills Public School, 23 Ptarmigan Dr., Guelph, On


For more information about CAA South Central Ontario and the School Safety Patrol program, visit www.caasco.com/schoolsafety.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel and roadside services. There are more than 1.8 million CAA members in Ontario and 5 million members in Canada.

Anne Murray tells all in the November issue of Zoomer Magazine, featuring cover photography by Bryan Adams

"Because I can still sing I think that's the time to stop, when you can
still do it." Anne Murray, Zoomer Magazine, November 2009


TORONTO, October 26, 2009 /Canada NewsWire/ - In the November issue of Zoomer magazine - Canada's authority on everything important to the 45+ demographic - iconic songstress Anne Murray discusses her life, family and decision to retire from the music business after a remarkable 40-year career. Available on newsstands across Canada starting on October 26, Zoomer features cover photography of Murray by Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams.

In an interview by award-winning journalist David Livingstone, Murray exclusively tells Zoomer, "Because I can still sing I think that's the time to stop, when you can still do it. Otherwise you end up with people feeling sorry for you. There are many of my peers who are shadows of their former selves. I see it and think it's unfortunate."

Livingstone also discusses Murray's appeal and "enigmatic blend of candour and restraint," which legendary rock writer Lester Bangs ascribed to the "scientific application of that time-honoured and almost forgotten erotic technique - the holdout," in Creem magazine in 1973.

Murray appears in Zoomer upon the publication of her autobiography, All of Me, which hits bookstores on October 27 and is published by Knopf Canada. In the revealing book, the singer tells the story of her astonishing career - from her humble origins in the tragedy-plagued coal-mining town of Springhill, Nova Scotia, to her arrival on the world stage with her first gold record in 1970 and her subsequent string of top-selling hits. The book will be supported by a 14-city book tour, which will take Murray from Vancouver to Moncton, including an appearance at the International Festival of Authors in Toronto. Murray has enjoyed an unparalleled career selling 54 million records and putting more than 30 pop, 50 country and 40 adult contemporary songs on the Billboard charts. She has also earned four Grammy Awards, 24 Juno Awards, three American Music Awards, and three CMA Awards.

An excerpt from Murray's autobiography is available online at the Zoomer magazine website here.

Aerobic exercise no big stretch for older adults but helps elasticity of arteries

EDMONTON, October 25, 2009 /Canada NewsWire/ - Just three months of physical activity reaps heart health benefits for older adults with type 2 diabetes by improving the elasticity in their arteries - reducing risk of heart disease and stroke, Dr. Kenneth Madden told the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

Dr. Madden studied adults between the ages of 65 to 83 with controlled Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol to see how increased activity might affect stiffness of the arteries.

"The theory is that aerobic activity makes your arteries less stiff and makes artery walls more elastic," says Dr. Madden, a geriatric specialist at the University of British Columbia.

An improvement was seen in the elasticity of the arteries of the group that performed the activity compared to those who didn't exercise. "There was an impressive drop in arterial stiffness after just three months of exercise. In that time we saw a 15 to 20 per cent reduction."

The subjects were divided into two groups to either receive three months of vigorous physical activity (one hour, three times per week) or to get no aerobic exercise at all. Subjects were classified as sedentary at the beginning of the study but gradually increased their fitness levels until they were working at 70 per cent of their maximum heart rate, using treadmills and cycling machines. They were supervised by a certified exercise trainer.

Dr. Beth Abramson, spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, stresses the importance of lifestyle factors on heart health, especially with our aging population. "Almost everyone can benefit from active living," she says. "The Foundation recommends that, like adults of any age, older adults - with the consent of their physicians - need 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week."

Dr. Madden says that the exercise requirements may be viewed as controversial because of the age of the participants but the exercise level was safe and well tolerated. "There seems to be a knee-jerk reluctance to getting these older adults to exercise yet we used a vigorous level of activity and didn't have any trouble keeping participants in our study. They enjoyed the activity," Dr. Madden says. "People always underestimate what older adults can do."

Dr. Madden notes that realistically, seniors need someone to help them get started. "We need to learn how to do it effectively and how to do it safely," he says. "It could mean visiting your family doctor to find out about provincially funded programs, or joining programs for seniors that are offered at many local community centres."

Dr. Abramson recommends that seniors choose activities they enjoy, such as walking, gardening, golfing, dancing, or joining a yoga or tai chi class. If weather is a barrier, she suggests climbing stairs at home, joining a mall-walking group, or strolling the halls of their apartment building or retirement residence.

In his next project, Dr. Madden wants to find out if there is a less expensive but equally effective way to reduce the stiffness of arteries in older adults. "Our first step was to prove that it was at all possible for older adults to have reduced narrowing in their arteries due to exercise," he says. "Now we want to find out just how rigorous the levels of activity need to be to demonstrate the same results. The next step is to try studying a home-based walking program using pedometers. This is something easy for doctors to prescribe and cheap and easy for participants."

The HeartWalk Workout, a special activity program developed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation to help people with cardiovascular problems get regular, healthy physical activity is available online at heartandstroke.ca. It helps people slowly build up exercise tolerance until they can walk at least 30 minutes, five times a week.


Statements and conclusions of study authors are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect Foundation or CCS policy or position. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society make no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability.


The Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.

Tips for Senior Caring for Person With Swine Flu

H1N1 Influenza Serious Symptoms, Treatments & Preventive Measures

from Suite 101.com Seniors Health Medicare - Katrena Wells

Some seniors are called upon to care for someone suffering from the swine flu, or H1N1 influenza. Many cases of the swine flu can be treated at home without complications. Seniors providing care for someone with the flu should:

Watch for symptoms that would indicate a need for emergency treatment

Learn safety tips for treating swine flu symptoms

Encourage measures to help prevent the spread of H1N1...read the full article at Suite 101.com Seniors Health Medicare.

Ontario's new distracted driving bill takes effect: Insurers offer tips for drivers

TORONTO, October 22 /Canada NewsWire/ - Ontario's Countering Distracted Driving and Promoting Green Transportation Act comes into effect on Monday, October 26, 2009. Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) commends the government for taking this important step to combat distracted driving.

Ontario's new law against distracted driving will prohibit, while driving, the use of any electronic device with a display screen, communication device, or entertainment device that is not firmly attached to a vehicle's dashboard. This includes MP3 players and GPS devices. Ontario is the fourth province to enact a ban on cellphone use while driving, and the first to extend the ban to all hand-held electronic devices.

Robert Tremblay, Director of Research, IBC, said insurers welcome the new law, and applaud officials for moving so quickly. "Three years ago, no one in Ontario was talking about driver distraction," said Tremblay. "Today, driving while talking on a cellphone or being otherwise distracted is recognized as one of the most serious road safety issues in the country."

Ontario's new distracted driving law means drivers will have to change their habits when it comes to using prohibited devices. However, Tremblay stresses that safe driving goes beyond simply obeying legislation since distractions come in many forms. "Using hands-free devices while driving is certainly better than using hand-held devices, but not using any distracting devices, or participating in any distracting behaviour at all, is the best policy."

To help Ontario's drivers minimize distractions, Canada's home, car and business insurers put together a helpful tip sheet on how to avoid being a distracted driver.

IBC has been at the forefront of the distracted driving issue for the past three years, promoting awareness of the dangers of distracted driving through research, ad campaigns and community outreach. IBC's Be Smart. Be Safe. injury prevention tour, featuring the popular D.U.M.B. (Distractions Undermining Motorist Behaviour) Car, has visited over 100 communities across Ontario. To date, almost 16,000 Ontarians have test driven the D.U.M.B. Car.

Tips for Avoiding Distractions While Driving
From Canada's home, car and business insurers

1. Eat before driving so you won't be tempted to juggle distracting
snacks behind the wheel.

2. Pull over and park before using a cellphone or other hand-held
electronic device.

3. Have a "driving" playlist on your MP3 player and start it playing
before you set the car in motion. That way, you won't be fumbling to
find a good song while driving.

4. If something falls, leave it. Never reach for an object while
driving, unless it is impeding with your ability to control the car;
in which case, pull over and deal with it.

5. Deal with predictable distractions before hitting the road. Check the
map, adjust the seat, the climate control and the radio, and
familiarize yourself with the dashboard controls, before taking the
car out of park.

6. If you are driving with pets, make sure they are safely secured and
in the back seat.

7. Put aside enough time to complete your grooming before you set out,
so you won't have to apply make-up, comb your hair or shave while
driving.

8. Listen to your GPS device; don't look at it.

9. Make all necessary wardrobe changes before you enter the car.

10. If a situation can't wait - the kids are acting up in the back seat,
or you need to refer to a map or take an emergency call - pull over
somewhere safe to deal with it.

Influenza Shots: A Must for Seniors

from Seniors Help Forum

It is that time of year again. Yep, cold and flu season. Which means, it is also time for you to get your annual flu shot.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in an online article entitled, Immunizations for Adults, “the most common causes of death, pneumonia and influenza remain among the top ten causes of death for older adults. In 2000, pneumonia and influenza were responsible for 3.3% or 58,557 deaths among people 65 years of age and older.”


People who fall into the following groups should ensure they are vaccinated:

Adults 50 and older.
All children ages 6 months to 18 years.
Pregnant women.
People of any age with chronic health problems like asthma, heart disease or a weakened immune system.
Health workers.
Caregivers of the high-risk

read the complete article at seniorhelpforum.com

Arthritis is cured! (if you want it)

TORONTO, October 20, 2009 /Canada NewsWire/ - With arthritis cases in Canada already at alarming levels and growing at unprecedented rates, the arthritis community is urging Canadians not to accept "no cure" as an answer.

Every day, millions still struggle with the more than 100 types of arthritis that exist, despite advances in research over the past two decades that have led to better treatments and hope for the future. In fact, arthritis is one of the top three chronic diseases in Canada, affecting one out of six Canadian adults.

In the journey towards a cure, Canadian researchers are conducting breakthrough studies in arthritis research. Here are some of the most recent notable projects:

- This past year, researchers discovered that a second gene, IL23R, is
linked to the body's response to inflammation. This discovery
represents a major advance, and may result in the development of new
treatments for the chronic inflammation of ankylosing spondylitis.
- Researchers are working to determine whether there is a link between
the breakdown of bone following a joint injury and the onset of
osteoarthritis. If this link is established, medications could be
used to minimize bone loss to delay or even prevent the development
of osteoarthritis.
- A research team is currently examining whether genetics and lifestyle
factors (level of nutrition and physical activity, exposure to
sunlight and smoke, social background, etc.) impact how juvenile
arthritis progresses in a child. These findings could lead to
improved treatments and, in some cases, prevent the occurrence of
arthritis later in an individual's life.


"It's amazing the innovations our researchers have been able to achieve. When Canadians consider that arthritis affects 16% of the population - more adults than diabetes, cancer, heart disease, asthma or spinal cord trauma - but receives disproportionately less research funding than many other chronic diseases, they will realize more must be done," says Steven McNair, President and CEO of The Arthritis Society.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research spent $19 million - a comparatively small sum - on arthritis-related research in 2005-2006. That is about $4.30 for every adult living with arthritis in Canada. For comparison, diabetes research receives about three times as much per person with diabetes, cancer research receives about 32 times as much and HIV-AIDS research receives about 139 times as much.

To start a national conversation about arthritis and how a cure is an achievable goal if researchers have the resources to accelerate pioneering work, the Canadian arthritis community is launching the "Arthritis is cured! (if you want it)" program.

"Why do we need a national awareness program? Because arthritis is the most misunderstood chronic disease in Canada today," says Cheryl Koehn, a person with rheumatoid arthritis and President of Arthritis Consumer Experts. She adds: "There are 4.5 million people like me in Canada. As a result of developing arthritis, we live with daily pain, disability, fear, and social isolation. We fill hospital beds and emergency rooms across the country. What Canadians need to understand is that arthritis affects people of all ages and can be devastating, debilitating and fatal."

Perceived by many as an 'old person's' disease, 60% of Canadians with arthritis are under age 65. And, to many people's surprise, one in 1,000 children in Canada has arthritis. The impact of arthritis on our communities is dramatic. Arthritis costs more than $4.4 billion annually in health-care expenses and lost work days.

A key message of the "Arthritis is cured! (if you want it) program is that sustained research efforts can dramatically help Canadians manage their condition and reduce these burdensome social costs of arthritis.

"With enough resources, Canadian researchers and scientists can move that much closer to developing effective treatments and discovering the underlying causes of arthritis, which are the necessary steps for finding a cure," says Dr. John Matyas, Chair of The Arthritis Society's Scientific Advisory Committee.

About the "Arthritis is cured! (if you want it) Program


Arthritis affects nearly 4.5 adult Canadians. To address the critical need to raise awareness of arthritis, the arthritis community, led by Arthritis Consumer Experts and The Arthritis Society, has launched the "Arthrtis is cured! (if you want it)" program. During 2009 and 2010, the arthritis community is distributing information about arthritis and raising awareness of this serious disease. This 12-month national program will offer resources, screenings, support and information to Canadians. For more information about arthritis and the national program, please visit www.ArthritisIsCured.org

World Osteoporosis Day Call for Immediate Action to Prevent Fractures

ROME, October 20, 2009 /Canada NewsWire/ - Speaking in Rome, Italy today on the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day, International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) CEO Patrice McKenney called for individuals and governments around the globe to join the fight against osteoporosis. "Osteoporosis is a common but devastating disease which we cannot afford to ignore. Immediate measures must be taken to reduce the burden of osteoporotic fractures through prevention, early recognition of fracture risk, and appropriate proven treatment for those in need," she urged.

Osteoporosis, a disease in which bones weaken and are susceptible to fracture, is an increasing concern in all countries, particularly those with large and growing populations over the age of 50.

How common is osteoporosis? Around the world one in three women and one in five men over the age of fifty will suffer an osteoporotic fracture. In Europe alone, a fracture occurs every 8 seconds. Fractures can have serious consequences, causing pain and debilitation. They all too often result in lost quality of life, long-term dependence, or even death; one in five hip fracture patients die within 12 months of fracture.

Despite its widespread impact, the socio-economic burden of osteoporosis is sadly underestimated. Few governments recognise the enormous cost that the disease represents to individuals, their families, health care systems and facilities for the elderly.

On World Osteoporosis Day, IOF joins its almost 200 global patient and medical member societies in calling for individual and government action to make bone health and fracture prevention a priority.

About IOF


The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is a not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization dedicated to the worldwide fight against osteoporosis, the disease known as 'the silent epidemic'. For more information about IOF visit www.iofbonehealth.org

Community and Volunteers Educational Series (CAVES)

Join us for a day of free training workshops!

The day will be composed of five workshops to choose from in the morning, a free lunch, and five more workshops to choose from in the afternoon.

Saturday November 7, 2009 9am to 3pm at the Evergreen Seniors Centre. For more information or to register call the Volunteer Centre of Guelph-Wellington at 519-822-0912, drop by their office at 46 Cork St, Guelph, or visit www.volunteerguelphwellington.on.ca

Space is Limited!

Are you road ready? CAA provides you tips to get ready for fall and winter driving

THORNHILL, ON, Oct. 2 /Canada NewsWire/ - As temperatures start to dip and our roadways get slicker with the change of season it's time to give your car its seasonal check-up.

Motorists spend a great deal of time on the road during the summer months giving their vehicles a good work out. The toll of Canada's changing seasons can easily turn minor car maintenance problems into automotive emergencies.

"Any weak or faulty component on your vehicle is vulnerable in extreme cold spells and could give out," says Edyta Zdancewicz of CAA South Central Ontario. "Poor tires, weak batteries and malfunctioning lights can all become a hazard in bad weather. Add poor road maintenance and you could be spending more money than expected on your car."

How to get your car fall and winter ready? CAA suggests you check the
following:

- Battery: Cold-weather starts require a fully charged battery. Typically batteries last 4-5 years, but their strength should be checked regularly. The connections should be cleaned and tightened with no corrosion.
- Engine: Is it time for a tune-up? Faulty wiring, worn spark plugs, a sticking choke or emission control devices that need attention can all lead to hard starting. A diagnostic checkup of your engine is a good seasonal investment.
- Oil: Oil is your vehicle's lifeblood. If necessary, have your oil and filter changed with a multi-grade oil, such as 5W-30 or 10W-30, works well in almost all engines and has a flowing consistency that meets varying temperatures.
- Tires: The traction between the tires and the road surface determines how well your vehicle starts, turns and stops. Ensure that your tires are properly inflated and in good condition. Winter tires are the best option for areas that receive heavy snowfall. All four tires must match for best performance.
- Brakes: Brakes should be checked and, if needed, serviced to ensure even braking. Ensure your brakes are properly aligned and have good lining on their pads. Check brake and power-steering fluids.
- Windshield wipers: Replace all worn out blades and ensure you fill the reservoir bottle with a winter-grade fluid. Typically blades should be replaced annually.

Fall into healthy yards - Green tips to prepare yards and gardens for winter

TORONTO, Oct. 1 /Canada NewsWire/ - Cooler temperatures and bountiful harvests make the fall the best time to work in the yard. This is also the ideal time to enrich your soil, repair your lawn and plan your garden's future.

"A lot of people think that spring is the best time of garden and lawn care, but that's not necessarily true. If homeowners want to get their yards in tip-top shape next spring, now's the time to act," said Colleen Cirillo, program co-ordinator for Toronto and Region Conservation's Healthy Yards Program. "Homeowners can learn more about ecologically friendly yard and garden care through The Healthy Yards Program which provides watershed residents with the inspiration, information and tools required to create naturally beautiful lawns and gardens."

Here are some eco-friendly tips for fall yard and garden care:

- Think green: Repair lawns by overseeding and topdressing in the fall.
Dense turf will crowd out weeds like dandelions and crabgrass.

- Prepare beds for winter: Cover perennials with fallen leaves and
maintain some stems and seed heads for birds, and to trap snow for
insulation.

- Compost: Applying compost, either store-bought or homemade, adds
macro- and micro-nutrients to the soil. It also increases microbial
activity that will decompose thatch and improve soil structure. Leaves
are worth their weight in gold! Store fallen leaves in bags or bins
near your compost pile and add a few every time you add kitchen wastes
to the pile throughout the winter.

- Don't forget the birds: A healthy yard welcomes wildlife. Install bird
feeders and plant conifers to help resident birds survive the long,
cold winter.

- Planting trees and shrubs: By planting trees, shrubs and vines you can
change the temperature in and around your house and can reduce heating
and cooling bills which reduces your household's reliance on fossil
fuels, and lower the household's contribution to smog and climate
change. A row of smaller evergreens planted three to four feet away
from a house's northern wall to act as a layer of insulation. Vines
help to insulate exterior walls from summer's heat and winter's cold.
Brush piles can also help provide shelter for small animals during the
winter.

- Fertilize: If you really want to fertilize your lawn, apply an organic
fertilizer in the fall to improve soil fertility and increase its
organic matter content. These slow-release products will not burn
grass, nor will they contaminate ground and surface water.