“The period between age 50 and elderly is best described as three overlapping periods, not defined by age.” – Dr. George Schofield, professor and author of How Do I Get There From Here? While we tend to think of our lives as defined by age, that can be misleading – just as defining every young person […]
Category: Aging
Turning Life into Poetry
80-year-old Virginia Stewart belies the stereotype of the inactive older adult. Her passion is the arts, and when she’s not writing she’s painting, singing or enjoying any number of activities available at United’s Garrison Green community. “I’m a doer!’ she says proudly. “I’m an active person. Always have been. I served on several boards – […]
A Thursday Afternoon with Peter Exner
Peter Exner is a Calgary musician who knows how powerful music can be to excite the emotions and to bring people together. We caught up with Peter at United’s Garrison Green community where he performs regularly for residents. “This is a thoughtfully structured music program,” said Peter. “I’m not playing at people. It’s more interactive. […]
Where Were You in 1967?
As we approach Canada’s 150th birthday, there are many residents who remember the 100th celebration in 1967. That was the year that Canada showed off to an international audience with Expo 67 in Montreal. Bandleader Bobby Gimby’s big hit Ca-na-da made all the charts across Canada. It was an infectious tune that every student learned to […]
Balance and Strength – Two Keys to Successful Aging
Most of us take walking and getting out of a chair for granted, but as we get older such basic movements can get more difficult, especially if we don’t exercise to keep muscles strong. Falling is of particular concern for older adults. At United Active Living, classes are held several times a day to encourage […]
The Portrayal of Older Adults in the Movies
When older adults are portrayed in the movies, how are they often characterized? Are they healthy, vibrant and enjoying life, or does Hollywood tend to dwell on the negative side of aging – memory loss and mobility issues. While some movies do a good job of portraying aging accurately, others use aging as a comedic […]