Seniors’ Month: Stay safe, active and connected
Seniors’ Month is officially recognized in Ontario every year in June.
We at Seniors for Seniors look forward to Seniors’ Month every year. It is a special time where we celebrate our seniors for the significant place that they hold in our lives. This year the theme for Seniors’ Month is “stay safe, active and connected.”
It has been a difficult year with unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19. Despite the struggles that seniors may be experiencing we want to focus on ways that we can ensure our seniors are living fulfilled, safe and healthy lives. These are some tips for seniors to stay safe, active and connected.
Stay safe
Seniors can keep themselves safe by:
- Wearing a mask at all times in indoor public spaces and especially when you are within 6 feet (2 metres) of someone who is not in the same household.
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Practicing social distancing and avoiding contact with people who are sick.
- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or in the crook of your arm.
- Regularly cleaning frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, light switches, phones, and remotes.
Monitor yourself daily. If you are experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms, please contact Telehealth (1-866-797-0000) or your doctor for direction. You will need to self-isolate if you are experiencing these signs or symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Sore throat
- Pink eye
Stay active
Staying active is important for your mental and physical health. It is recommended that adults over the age of 65 get at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. These activities can include:
- Walking (try the 10,000 steps a day challenge!)
- Yoga
- Stretching while watching tv
- Biking
- Dancing
- Zumba
- Light gardening
- Lifting weights
It is important to consider how best to stay safe:
- Consider health concerns: keep in mind how your ongoing health problems may affect the types of activities you choose to do.
- Start slow: if you haven’t been active in a while, it can be harmful to push yourself too hard too quickly. Instead, build up your exercise routine little by little.
- Recognize problems: exercise should never hurt or make you feel sick. Stop exercising immediately and call your doctor if you feel dizzy, develop chest pain, or experience unusual discomfort.
- Get medical clearance from your doctor: before starting a new exercise program check with your doctor to see if there are any activities you should avoid.
Stay connected
Social distancing is an important measure for fighting the spread of COVID-19. However it is important that our seniors stay connected to family and friends. Thanks to technology, here are some ways that we can stay connected with our communities and social circles:
- Phone calls
- Video chats
- Group chats
- Online board games
- Virtual book club
To celebrate Seniors’ Month, we have a special 20%* discount offered to all new clients during the months of June and July. The discount is applied to our hourly services of drop-in companions and personal companion care. Call 1-844-422-7399 to speak to a member of our team. Don’t forget to quote SFS2021 for our special 20% discount.
*Discount is valid for new clients at participating locations only.
Sources:
https://spectrumhealthcare.com/resources/how-to-stay-connected-during-self-isolation/
https://spectrumhealthcare.com/resources/wellness-wednesdays-fitness-and-physical-activity/
https://spectrumhealthcare.com/resources/the-health-benefits-of-10-000-steps-a-day/
https://www.ontario.ca/page/celebrating-seniors-ontario
https://www.ontario.ca/page/seniors-stay-healthy-and-active#section-3