June is the month to celebrate seniors
For more than 35 years, Seniors’ Month has been a time to celebrate seniors and to recognize the contributions they have made in communities across Ontario, and the lives they have impacted across generations.
The theme for June 2020 is Aging Strong: Respect and Protect Seniors. While the month-long campaign has traditionally featured award ceremonies and recognition events, COVID-19 has necessitated a change to the celebrations. The global pandemic hasn’t altered the fact that seniors are an important part of our communities.
“Aging is about living, and everyone should be able to age strong, in an Ontario that is open to all. Our theme represents the importance of seniors’ valued experience and independence as they age, while celebrating their many contributions in building this province, and protecting what matters most to them,” states the Province of Ontario website dedicated to seniors.
For more information about programs and services that are available to help seniors lead healthy, active, and engaged lives over 65, visit ontario.ca/seniors.
Staying informed is important and finding reliable information is crucial. Those interested in better understanding issues that affect older adults and learning what the evidence says about how we can prevent them can access the Mcmaster Optimal Aging Portal (www.mcmasteroptimalaging. org).
The portal provides trustworthy information to help seniors and caregivers make informed health-related decisions. New content is added every week, providing information about the health and social aspects of aging. Celebrate the seniors you know this month by sharing the Portal with them.
A disclaimer on the website notes that blog posts written before the COVID-19 pandemic may not reflect the latest public health recommendations. Some activities suggested might need to be modified or avoided at this time. For updates from the Public Health Service of Canada, go to canada.ca.