Celebrities are bringing new meaning to the term Golden Years
By Kelly Neufeld

Did you watch the Oscars last night? I have to admit I didn’t but when I read the coverage I was surprised by how many “senior citizens” were nominated for or won an Oscar. These celebrities are bringing new meaning to the term Golden Years.

Jeff Bridges and wife Susan Photo by Capital M

Jeff Bridges, 60, won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in Crazy Heart. He beat out 72-year old Morgan Freeman who was also nominated for the category for his role in Invictus.

Morgan Freeman Photo by Bryan Frank

Helen Mirren Photo by Carol Garfield

While the relatively young Sandra Bullock, 45, won Best Actress for her role in The Blind Side she faced competition from experienced actors like Helen Mirren, 64, and Meryl Streep, 60. Meryl Streep has been nominated a record breaking 16 times and has won twice.

Meryl Streep Photo By Roba Al-Assi

Christopher Plummer Photo by Courtney

80-year old actor, Christopher Plummer, was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in The Last Station. If he had won, he would have tied George Burns as the oldest man to win an award in that category. Sadly, he lost to Christopher Waltz, 53, who appeared in Inglourious Basterds.

Kathryn Bigelow Photo by Marca Pasos

The biggest winner of the night was director Kathryn Bigelow. At 58 she became the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director. Her film, The Hurt Locker, also went onto win the Best Picture Award. In both categories, Kathryn’s ex-husband, director James Cameron, 55 was also nominated for his film Avatar. I’m happy to see that Hollywood is creating roles for older actors and actresses. Too often Hollywood focuses on the young but these Oscar winners and nominees have proven that age really is just a number.

Did you watch the Oscars? What did you think? Have you seen any of the films?

About the Author Kelly Neufeld is the Marketing Coordinator for Impowerage as well as a regular contributor. When not reading about inspiring seniors and the latest technological advances, you’ll find her writing, tweeting and connecting with people who share the Impowerage Mission. She enjoys working out and playing with her two toddlers.

Monthly Articles
By Kelly Neufeld

Along with our new web site design we have a new content schedule.

In keeping with our mission to inspire and celebrate seniors, we’ll be regularly posting new articles on everything from the latest medical research to charity spotlights to financial and fitness advice.





The founder of Impowerage, Dr. Carolyn Anderson, will be reviewing books she reads personally on areas such as self-development. She’ll also be writing a monthly article about the latest things on her mind. She’ll use her unique knowledge of health and aging to write articles on the latest medical research for the Living Well category and tips on Being Well.

I’ll be writing a bi-weekly feature about seniors and issues affecting seniors In the News. If you read about an inspiring senior featured in the news please e-mail me at Kelly@impowerage.com . I’ll also be interviewing seniors to uncover their secrets to success and longevity.

Although we know you know how to use the internet, I’ll be writing some upcoming technology posts to help you use other new technologies like digital cameras, blogs, twitter and facebook. Soon you’ll be able to show your kids or grandkids a thing or two.

We have Heather and Dennis to answer your questions on finances and personal trainer Susan to answer your fitness related questions. We will be continue to bring the most up-to-date content and unique articles you won’t find anywhere else.

Sign up for monthly newsletter to receive the top articles of each month or follow us on Facebook or Twitter to hear about the latest articles as soon as they are published.

As always we look forward to hearing your comments and feedback. Please leave comments under the story or email me at Kelly@impowerage.com

About the Author Kelly Neufeld is the Marketing Coordinator for Impowerage as well as a regular contributor. When not reading about inspiring seniors and the latest technological advances, you’ll find her writing, tweeting and connecting with people who share the Impowerage Mission. She enjoys working out and playing with her two toddlers.

Eating in China
by Judy Smith

This part 3 of a series by Judy Smith. You can read Part 1 and Part 2 to see the beginning of her journy.

I like to eat good food, and worries about food consume many of my waking thoughts. For example, the first thought that crossed my mind as we touched down in Nanning was, “What am I going to have for breakfast?”

It wasn’t an unusual thought. I knew that Chinese, like many Asian people, eat rice: rice for breakfast, rice for lunch, rice for dinner, rice cakes, rice dumplings, fried rice, steamed rice, rice drinks, rice ice cream, rice, rice, and rice.

We had intended on eating largely Chinese food in China— it’s healthy, it’s cheap, and we thought we would like it. The food in this region is largely Cantonese, the stir fried menu we were familiar with in Vancouver; however, because this is a tropical climate where hot peppers flourish, much of the food is also quite spicy, which is fine with me.

We began by exploring the many cafeterias on campus. In the student cafeteria lunch consists of a meat dish, a vegetable, melon, diet Pepsi and rice or dumplings and costs around one dollar. Although cheap by any standards, the choices are limited and rely heavily on frying in pork fat, so we only go there if we’re in a hurry or have nothing to eat at home.

There are a couple of higher-end restaurants on campus. In one, it is difficult to order anything because the menu is only in Mandarin and no one speaks English. (We were served a palatable dish of stir-fried beef after drawing a picture of a cow.) The other has an English menu; however, we were disturbed by rats skittering around and the last time we ate there, we watched a rat gnawing on a woman’s shoe at the next table. When we related this story to a seasoned foreign teacher, she informed us that the restaurant is known as “Rat Haven” and that none of the foreign teachers eat there anymore.

Well, thanks for the information.

By travelling around and being guided by experienced colleagues, we have found Western restaurants that offer more variety than Chinese food in this small city: other than the strongholds of KFC and MacDonald’s, there’s a French restaurant owned and operated by an expatriated French chef, a western-style brunch buffet owned by a Chinese-American who learned how to cook in San Francisco, and a small coffee shop/café just off campus which serves the best BLT in the world.

On Chinese salaries, these restaurants are expensive, but in fact cost no more than $6 Canadian. We recently declined to participate in an American Thanksgiving buffet which cost $25, everything included: it was just too expensive. Too often we have gone out and spent a lot of money for a meal, only to spend the night running to the bathroom. We weren’t ready to hedge our bets on the turkey being prepared properly.

It took a few bouts of diarrhea for us to realize that we’d fare better on our own cooking. Maybe local people and foreigners who have lived here for a while have developed hardened stomachs for food prepared or for meat that is stored in less than hygienic conditions.

How could I buy a chicken, for example, after seeing them piled up on the floor of the supermarket, naked, with heads attached and reeking like they’ve been sitting in the hot sun for a week? I know that this is a different culture, but I am still tied to a culture where chicken comes in sterile plastic wraps, is government inspected and where I carefully sterilize the cutting board after using it. After seeing a truck piled high with live chickens, six or seven barely able to breathe and crammed into a small cage, I decided to take chicken off my menu.

Other foreigners would call me squeamish, I know. Some teachers throw caution to the wind and regularly eat at the “dog hole” where vegetables are chopped on the ground and where food is served from outdoor stands which have no water supply for washing anything. Some people are of the opinion that you must be tough to live here, and are fond of saying, “This is China.” By that, they mean that I must get used to a different life style, a style which is not “anal” about cleanliness, hygiene, or food preparation. These people, I must point out, are the same ones who insisted that one must keep a stock of Imodium on hand at all times. Go figure.

I have decided, instead, to be as careful as I can.

We need to be able to either cook or peel any produce that we buy. Even produce that we peel must first be washed in warm soapy water. This necessarily excludes fruits like grapes—which are large, abundant, and appear delicious—and all green salad vegetables. Tomatoes are boiled, blanched and peeled; cucumbers (English) are also peeled. I nuke peppers in the microwave, just to make sure they’re clean. In addition to sweet red onions, these are our staple raw vegetables.

Fruit in the market reflects the tropical climate of the region: mandarin oranges so sweet and tender they melt in your mouth, melons of all varieties, peaches, plums, kiwi, star fruit, jack fruit, Chinese pears…The apples, not being crossed with anything, are pure brands. To bite into one is biting into the Essence of Apple.

Vegetables are the same as can be found in any Chinatown across Canada; however I was surprised to find quite excellent fresh corn on the cob in the market as well as some lovely—though expensive—fresh red potatoes.

It is, therefore, not difficult to find produce and prepare it safely. What is difficult to find is protein. The smell of the meat department in the supermarkets—Wal Mart included—is enough to make me a vegetarian. Fresh and frozen fish is plentiful, but I don’t recognize most of the fish and don’t know how to prepare it. Sometimes Wal Mart stocks frozen salmon steaks that are not covered with freezer burn, and once we were able to get some excellent sole fillets.

Cheese is only imported, usually from Australia, and is very expensive, plus hard on our arteries. Parmesan cheese (Kraft) is available, but there is no cottage or feta cheese. Eggs are generally purchased loosely—i.e. you fill a bag with eggs, like you would oranges. I tend to buy the more expensive ones because they look clean. The cheaper ones still have chicken excrement on the shells.

The yogurt is made with real fruit and is not very sweet. We have been able to find low-fat milk; however I cannot quite trust dairy products in China after the melamine scare.

Through ingenuity and patience, we have been able to feed ourselves quite well, considering the fact that we have only a 2-burner stove, one large pot, a frying pan and microwave to work with. We can make our own pasta sauce, salsa, soups, stews and chili using all fresh ingredients. Tacos and pasta can be purchased at one of two western food stores, where we have also—for the benefit of those of you who had been concerned about our coffee supply—been able to buy a coffee machine and real coffee.

Bread, to me (being Ukrainian in origin) is the staff of life. The bread made in local bakeries is strictly white sliced; some of it is half purple—I’m not sure why it’s been coloured purple, but it neither looks nor tastes like real bread. I was therefore overjoyed to find a woman who delivers home-made bread on demand. There is also a local coffee shop which stocks heavy rye bread, baguettes, hamburger buns…Pass the peanut butter and get some sugar –free jam from the Western market, and my breakfast is ready!

One of the benefits of living overseas is appreciating what we have back at home. What we have back home in Canada is safe drinking water. Here, we cannot drink the water from the tap; we use it for washing only. The bottled water we buy for drinking, cooking, and brushing our teeth comes in 5-gallon containers and is delivered to our house. We blindly believe that the bottled water is safe for consumption. Nevertheless, after working in other countries for so long, I have gotten so used to the system of using bottled water that I find it difficult to use water straight from the tap when I go home. We Canadians are so privileged, in so many ways, but having a supply of fresh, clean water is something we must strive to preserve.

We also have relatively safe food supplies: food producers, suppliers and providers are government inspected and approved. We have access to safe, organic food. We can walk into any restaurant and be relatively assured of not getting poisoned.

We are what we eat. As tedious as it might seem, let’s strive to ensure that we continue to have clean, safe food and water. Sometimes we don’t miss something until it’s no longer there, and by then it’s too late.

About the Author Judy Smith is the author of Native Blood: Nursing on the Reservation (Oberon Press). She is teaching English at the Sino-Canadian University in Nanning, China. The program is affiliated with the University of Waterloo and was initiated by Prime Minister Chrétien during the trade talks with China. Staff and curriculum are provided by Canada; facilities are provided by China. The university is always looking for qualified teachers, especially retirees.

Healing images for cancer patients

By Jennifer Cox

Although art therapy has been a discipline practiced by many professionals for decades, only recently has it become a “recognized” method of therapy. In fact, Concordia University in Montreal is the only school in the country to offer full professional, master’s level training in creative arts therapies.

Art therapy can be used to assist in treating a wide range of illnesses, from eating disorders to depression as well as those affected by cancer. Programs like the Montreal Jewish General’s Hope & Cope offers psychosocial support for cancer survivors, their families and friends, in part using art therapy. With counselling and self-help groups, they provide a variety of resources, with everything from nutrition classes, workshops that teach coping skills, a complete library, as well as several creative arts’ classes including open art, journaling, and beading.

Dr. Josee Leclerc is an art therapist who has had a private practice for 20 years, and she is also an Associate Professor and Graduate Director of the Art Therapy Program within the Department of Creative Arts Therapies at Concordia. She has a Masters in Art Therapy and a PhD in Humanities. “Art therapy really allows for an expression that words would not,” Dr. Leclerc explains. “The goal is to allow for emotions that are too difficult to put into works, or to use the image as a mirror or a witness of what the person is feeling, experiencing, or going through.”

This is particularly effective in helping those battling or recently recovering from cancer. “With cancer, the image could be used in a way to express painful emotion of this traumatic experience,” she continues. “It also appeals to the healthy side of the person or the creative side of the person – there are a lot of depressive feelings that could come with such an illness, like anxiety, fear of death, fear of leaving loved ones behind, [and art therapy] allows for expression and fosters creativity.”

Deborah Theriault in Moncton, New Brunswick is also an art therapist, however she involved cancer patients in a quilting project. “The Cancer Society provided settings in each major city in NB, and I went and did quilt projects for each city,” she says. “I had cancer survivors from age 4 to 85. The participants would [then] bring their families and friends to view the completed quilts. [This form of] therapy gave them an avenue that changed their focus and spiritually took them away from their hospital beds and away from their sickness.”

Her approach was straightforward enough – she asked the patients what they were most thankful for, and then had them paint an image on an 11×18 swatch of canvas fabric. “Sometimes the patient hadn’t been out of bed for weeks, and they sat up and started to paint. One patient took five three-hour sessions to do his art piece. The patients did the artwork and I did the sewing and assembly work. The artwork calmed the patients, and while they painted, they didn’t ask the nurses for pain medication. Many of the patients were long-term, and 11 of the 12 participants didn’t survive. The quilt is [now] a testimonial for their families.”

Despite the fact it isn’t universally recognized as a form of treatment (Theriault had to apply for research standing in order to conduct her work in New Brunswick hospitals), creative art therapy, in its many forms, is certainly gaining clout as a great alternative way of rehabilitating cancer patients. “The image is a fabulous ally – if we believe it’s a reflection of the inner person or the traumatic experience, the image speaks to the client, or the client sees in the image a part of himself or herself,” Dr. Leclerc says.

For more information on art therapy facilities in your area, visit the Canadian Art Therapy Association’s website.

About the Author: Jennifer Cox is a freelance journalist based in Montreal. She also volunteers several days a week at a Montreal senior’s residence.

Canadian pioneer of local cuisine reflects on business as usual in the midst of “new” food trends

By Janet Collins

Locavore: a word coined by Jessica Prentice from the San Francisco Bay Area on the occasion of World Environment Day 2005 to describe and promote the practice of eating a diet consisting of food harvested from within an area most commonly bound by a 100-mile (160 km) radius. – Wikipedia

A casual observer of the North American food scene may be forgiven for thinking the idea of eating fresh, locally procured foodstuffs is something new. In fact, that is how most people ate until the post-war era when time-pressed modern societies increasingly came to rely on the wonders of mass-produced, prepackaged food.

Thankfully, the locavore is experiencing a very healthy comeback. Much of the credit goes to enterprising restaurateurs such as Alice Waters of Chez Panisse (in Berkeley, California) fame. In Western Canada, a similar honour is rightfully bestowed on John Bishop.

photo: Jordi Sancho

“Thirty years ago, all the restaurants imported food,” says Bishop, who opened his namesake restaurant on Vancouver’s trend-conscious Kitsilano back in 1985. Since that time, Bishop has proven success can be achieved by stressing hospitality, cultivating local sources and paying close attention to what’s freshly available and when. It seems like a logical move given today’s food-centric culture, but at the time it was a rather unique approach for any restaurant let alone one fresh on the market.

Those were the days when a menu was cast in stone. Diners expected certain dishes to always be available at specific restaurants, and if the restaurant failed to deliver on that expectation, it would lose clientele. “Now things are much more revolutionary,” says Bishop. “Menus are frequently based on what fresh ingredients look best at the market, so things can change on a daily basis. It’s very exciting.”

Shortly after moving to Vancouver from the UK in 1973, Bishop and his new bride Theresa Krause (whom he met while working at Vancouver’s now-defunct Harp & Heather Club) rented a 12-acre farm in the suburb of Fort Langley. There the couple raised their own beef, poultry, fruit and vegetables, and in doing so learned first hand what it takes to produce good quality, fresh food. Little wonder then that when Bishop’s opened its doors in 1985, the owner/chef was eager to introduce Vancouver diners to a fresh approach to regional cuisine – with fresh and regional being the operative words.

“Bishop’s is small [with room for only about 40 diners] so it’s easier to obtain local ingredients [than a large chain establishment],” he says.

The real epiphany came in 1992 when Bishop  met Gary and Naty King of Hazelmere Organic Farm in South Surrey, a key supplier to this day.  Hazelmere boasts an astonishing variety of produce – more than 110 varieties of plants on a mere six acres. But they didn’t grow everything and for good reason.

“I remember being surprised to learn that Gary wouldn’t grow carrots, celery or strawberries because he would have to spray the crops or lose a large percentage of them [to pests or a number of diseases],” Bishop recalls. “That told me a lot about the man’s ethics, about his concern for what and how he farmed, and his concern for the land and the people who ate the food he produced.” In recent years, Bishop and Hazelmere’s relationship and shared philosophy resulted in the development of programs to help young farmers and culinary students nurture a sustainable food future.

Although Hazelmere also distributes products from neighbouring meat, dairy, egg, and produce producers, Bishop’s also features ingredients – including wine – from other regions of British Columbia such as Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley.

“Folks are becoming more conscious of what they’re buying,” says Bishop. “I can appreciate and see advantages to having access to everything no matter what the season or how exotic the ingredient, but it’s also nice to know we can make choices of what we eat and when. [Consumers] are starting to question the need for all that imported food, and we see their appreciation of what we serve [at the restaurant]”.

Bishop’s dedication to local, seasonal, fresh ingredients has built a loyal following over the years. “We certainly have our regular clientele,” says the ever modest Bishop. “The restaurant has also become something of a destination for celebrating special events such as birthdays, anniversaries, that sort of thing. We serve a lot of families, a lot of couples. The room is small so it’s easy to create a buzz even on a slow night.”

One of the biggest compliments Bishop’s receives is when someone says going there is like entering someone’s home. “It really is an extension of my own home,” Bishop admits. “The cooking done at the restaurant, like the cooking I do at home, is strongly associated with local agriculture. That’s really the restaurant’s foundation, the earth. I can’t imagine cooking any other way.”

Bishop says much of his inspiration continues to come from cooking for his own family. His son has planted a small kitchen garden near the house, and many a meal has started with one or more of those fresh ingredients.

Over at the restaurant, Andrea Carlson wears the executive chef’s toque. “She’s a wonderful example in the kitchen,” enthuses Bishop who witnesses Carlson’s culinary acumen and food ethics on a daily basis as he helps expedite the food for each evening’s service.

Carlson isn’t the only one continuing along the path Bishop has laid out for the local food industry. John Bishop has schooled many of BC’s culinary elite who also advocate the merits of local ingredients. Vikram Vij, Andrey Durbach and Chris Stewart all “studied” in Bishop’s kitchen as have James Walt, Jeff Van Geest, and an impressive roster of other revered regional chefs. Even Iron Chef Rob Feenie stopped by for a time. All have come to see the value working with suppliers who know the provenance of the ingredients they have on offer, the food’s origins. In many cases, like Bishop himself, these other chefs order directly from farmers, fishers, and other primary sources. The result of all that trouble is literally palatable.

“The reason is simple,” Bishop says. “Food that is locally and organically grown is always fresher and tastes much better than food produced thousands of miles from your table.”

To try John Bishop’s recipes in the comfort of your own kitchen, check out his cookbooks.

About the Author Janet Collins is a freelance writer/editor based in Sechelt, BC. A self-taught cook and a certified Spanish wine educator, she writes about all things culinary in addition to architecture, design and travel.

By Kelly Neufeld

As Impowerage’s new Marketing Coordinator, website administrator and regular contributor I thought I should introduce myself.

My Story
A few years ago, as part of my psychology major I took a course called Adulthood and Aging. I was struck by the overwhelming evidence from multiple studies that eating well and exercising regularly led to a dramatically better standard of living during the retirement years. I knew I wanted to be an active fulfilled senior.

I never would have guess that a few years later I would find myself working for a seniors magazine and be a part of spreading the Impowerage mission that not only can you age gracefully but powerfully.

Technologically Savvy Seniors
Every time I tell people I’m working for online senior’s magazine they mistakenly think it will be hard to gain a large readership.

But they don’t realize that this senior generation is more technologically advanced than ever. Seniors have the highest growth rates of Internet use and they are using the internet 4 times more often in 2007 than they did in 2000.

Baby-Boomer Generation Re-defining Old Age
Our population is aging, currently one in ten people is aged 60+ years, and by 2050 one in five will be over the age of 60. The baby-boomer generation is starting to enter their seniors years. And just as baby-boomers redefined parenting, middle-age and the idea of a lifelong career, they will be recreating what it means to grow old.

Many people still think that being a senior means using a walker and living in a retirement home when research shows that only 7.4% of Americans over the age of 75 live in a nursing home. This generation of seniors is more active and healthier than previous generations.

As I’ve been reading over the previous articles I’m inspired by all the amazing things people have accomplished in their senior years. From starting business to running triathlons there doesn’t seem to be anything seniors can’t do.

At Impowerage, we’ll be featuring inspiring seniors and motivating our readers to live their best lives. I’m excited to be a part of Impowerage and welcome feedback from readers. Please leave comments under the story or email me at Kelly@impowerage.com

About the Author Kelly Neufeld is the Marketing Coordinator for Impowerage as well as a regular contributor. When not reading about inspiring seniors and the latest technological advances, you’ll find her writing, tweeting and connecting with people who share the Impowerage Mission. She enjoys working out and playing with her two toddlers.

No dress rehearsal – live your life, says cancer survivor and athlete

by Lise Diebel

photo: Ted Brellisford

Her story: A breast cancer diagnosis 12 years ago transformed Alexis O’Connor’s fitness level from ordinary to extraordinary.

O’Connor, 65, had always made time for fitness, but the diagnosis led her into the world of sports and over the past five years, the Hamilton grandmother has raced in marathons, duathlons and triathlons.

At age 63, she finished a gruelling Ironman race consisting of a four-kilometre swim, 180-kilometre bike ride and 42-kilometre run. And twice she has raced a canoe more than 300 kilometres along the Yukon River.

Life before cancer: Raising five children kept her busy. When her kids were older,she enjoyed long bike rides with her husband, Michael, a retired teacher who now sells real estate.

“I walked everywhere,” adds O’Connor, who thought nothing of walking from her Westdale home to Burlington, Stoney Creek or Ancaster.

She also did aerobics classes three days a week. She joined the YWCA 25 years ago after quitting smoking. ”I thought I’d put my cigarette money into something, so I joined the gym.”

The diagnosis: In 1997, O’Connor was diagnosed with breast cancer and got a lumpectomy. She also joined the Knot A Breast dragon boat team made up of breast cancer survivors and based at the Macassa Bay Yacht Club in Hamilton.

The decision to join the dragon boat team started her transformation to elite athlete.

Life after cancer: O’Connor began running to build stamina for dragon boating. She entered five-kilometre running races and then duathlons — races that combine running and cycling.

She finished two 42-kilometre marathons and raced three times in the 30-kilometre Around the Bay Road Race.

“I’m doing things I never, ever dreamt I would do. None of this was on my to-do list.”

O’Connor wanted to try triathlons — races consisting of running, cycling and swimming. But there was one huge obstacle. She couldn’t swim.

Her fear of water was cemented when, as a girl, she tried the free lessons offered by Olympian Jimmy Thompson at the east-end municipal pool that now bears his name.

“He would throw you in the water and tell you to swim,” recalls O’Connor. “I never recovered. It was terrifying.”

At age 60, she signed up for swimming lessons at the Y and slowly built up her confidence until she succeeded. She continues to swim there three times a week, doing 60 to 70 lengths per swim.

O’Connor also trains with free weights three times a week to build core, arm and back strength.

She has finished many triathlons including the toughest of all — an Ironman. It took her 17 hours, 12 minutes and four seconds to cross the finish line — but she finished.

She planned to tackle her second Ironman in September but training proved too strenuous for her arthritic hip. “It got so inflamed I couldn’t even walk.”

The future: Her goals for 2010 include entering another triathlon. She hopes to compete in the International Dragon Boat Festival in Peterborough in June where breast cancer teams from all over the world will come together.

In 2011, O’Connor wants to return to the Yukon Territory to compete in the world’s longest canoe race. O’Connor and her team tried twice before — most recently in June — finishing half of the 746-kilometre marathon race before hypothermia forced them to quit.

Words of wisdom: “This is your life, so live it,” says O’Connor. “You realize this isn’t a dress rehearsal.”

About the Author: Lise Diebel is a freelance writer based near Hamilton, Ontario.

You’re never too old for an orthodontic adventure

by Melody Wren

Strategically placing elastics over certain brackets on my teeth is tricky the mornings that the arthritis in my right hand is playing up.  I am certain that the notion of arthritis and braces is a combination few orthodontists  considered years ago, however the number of over 50’s and seniors  that are dealing with braces and joint pain simultaneously gives a whole new set of issues to the orthodontists who regularly deal with pre-pubescent teens watching cartoons in the examination chair.  I always ask if the channel can be changed to Oprah, or the decorating channel.

According to the North American Orthodontic Association, more than 4 million people are in are in the care of an Orthodontist. Of those 4 million bracing it, 25% are adults.

In the past two years, the number of adults with braces has increased by 7.5%.  It is no surprise that 62% of the adult patients are females.

There are a variety of reasons adults choose to have braces: they finally have the financial resources, they are facing loss of teeth if they don’t undergo treatment, and the most obvious – cosmetic reasons. Often health reasons are the first reason to go with braces with delightful cosmetic side effects.

If you are considering braces, make sure you do your homework, as every case is unique.  When it was recommended by an orthodontist that I get a full set of braces at 51, I consulted with my periodontist, and my regular dentist. Once I faced facts that I would lose my two front teeth if I didn’t undergo two gum grafts before braces, I decided to go ahead with all of it.  Losing my teeth was not something that I was ready to do, but didn’t realize it until given options.  Gum grafts were necessary to give the braces a solid foundation before starting.

One 46-year old woman got braces on at the same time as her youngest son, after putting her two other kids through the process.  She had serious second thoughts, as she was facing 30 months with full braces, as opposed to the norm of 18-24 months.  Her front teeth were not only prominent, but facing backwards, so she made the choice to go ahead, and is now very proud of her beautiful smile, which was a major life change. She proudly smiles in all their family photographs now – something she had never done before.

It does boggle the mind facing braces at the same time as empty nest syndrome, arthritis, menopause, downsizing house, and job loss.  In terms of stress, this time of life can be off the Richter scale, but generally people over 50 are more accepting of the ups and downs.

Age doesn’t seem to be a barrier to braces as patients in their  sixties, seventies, and eighties are undergoing orthodontic treatment.  The oldest patient on record is a lady in Florida and at 91 got a full set of braces. When I got my braces at 51, a friend asked “why bother at your age?”  At 91, that is a valid question.  However, as Pam Paladin of the North American Association of Orthodontists says, “You’re never too old. If you have teeth, you can move them”.

About the Author: Melody Wren is a perennial lifestyle, travel, and food writer. She is a regular contributor to the  Toronto Star’s www.yourhome.ca and the Well Fed Network.  Visit Melody at www.melodywren.com

Expert says leave your baggage behind and enjoy the ride!

By Nipa Mukerji

Men and women past the age of 60, who find themselves single again, are often just as interested in dating and relationships as their younger counterparts. But according to Beverly Hadland-Turner, published author of “How to Find Authentic Love,” the main challenges to dating after 60 are the person’s own attitudes to social interaction with the opposite sex and how long the person has been out of the dating scene.

“Admittedly, people who become suddenly single after 10 years or more of being in a relationship are in for a few surprises,” says Hadland-Turner.

For the most part, singles in their sixties, usually have children and grandchildren that come along as part of the whole package. They may also be carrying a lot of emotional baggage from a marriage that ended after many years through death or divorce.

The First Step Before Dating

“The first thing to do is to find out who you are,” says Hadland-Turner, who also provides counseling to individuals and couples. Hadland-Turner, herself, got married in her mid-fifties for the first time in a marriage that has lasted many years.

The person who would like to start dating again should take an inventory of what activities he enjoys. It is important to be making an effort to be active in them. It is equally important to travel in singles circles.

“It will be more beneficial to only date those who are in sync with your interests and values,” Hadland-Turner says. “That one decision will save you months if not years of heartache.”

Protect Your Finances

Seniors should also be careful to protect their finances when entering into relationships. A person’s feelings should not compromise financial security. This is especially true of widows, who have been left with a large estate.

“Financial decisions that involve a new romantic interest should only be made through and with the guidance of a lawyer,” Hadland-Turner says. “Many a person, usually women, have cried many tears after losing their financial security to someone they believed they could trust, someone who they wanted to believe really loved them.”

Dating and Your Family

There are also advantages to dating after 60. Children are grown up and no longer living at home. This allows for freedom throughout the dating process. Grown children naturally show concern if their parents have recently lost a spouse through death and suddenly start dating again. This sense of concern is natural.

“I recommend only exposing your family to your new love interest if you are both serious about moving forward towards marriage,” says Hadland-Turner.

Likewise, grandchildren do not meet their grandparent’s dates until the stage of engagement. It is sufficient to let the family know that the person is dating, to prepare them to meet the love interest in the not too distant future.

In the dating process, those past the age of 60 have different goals than young couples who are just starting their lives together and anticipating children and a mortgage. Seniors typically are downsizing, requiring less expensive homes with less maintenance. This may have an impact on grown children, who have fond memories of the home they grew up in. Some singles after 60 are primarily looking for companionship and not looking to get married again.

Where to Meet Other Single Seniors

Hadland-Turner says that the best places for seniors to meet and mingle are seniors clubs, churches and organizations catering to senior interests. Those who enjoy outdoor activities can find groups to join where they can pursue their interests. The network of family and friends is also a good source to meet prospective partners.

“I would also add don’t be afraid to meet strangers in public settings,” Hadland-Turner says.

Some people after the age of 60 try online dating. John, a single man who is 77 and lives in Toronto, tried the free worldwide online dating site Plentyoffish.com and readily found dates with singles women. The best two tips for successful online dating experiences is to post a good recent photograph of yourself and to be absolutely truthful about yourself in your dating profile.

Dress to Impress

Physical appearance is just as important in dating after 60 as it is at a younger age. Before embarking on the search for a new dating partner, the person should make every effort to be well-groomed. If you are still wearing clothes that are ten years old, it is time to refresh your wardrobe. Likewise, a visit to a good hairstylist can work wonders on your own new image. A stylish new haircut can take years off your age in terms of your physical appearance. And if you are carrying ten to 20 extra pounds of weight, this can also be remedied with a healthy diet and regular exercise approved by your doctor.

Finding new love after 60 is every bit an attainable goal as at a younger age. It requires perseverance, a positive outlook and a good understanding of yourself. It also requires being aware of the qualities that you are looking for in your future partner when you start your search.

By Annalise Klingbeil

Following two “close escapes with death” 66-year-old Diane Morton started to think about how she wanted to live the rest of her life.  And so, Morton sold her house, had a garage sale, packed her possessions into twelve Rubbermaid bins, moved in with friends, and registered for university.

“I decided I didn’t want to worry about money and having a lot of stuff in my life,” says Morton, a real-estate agent and independent wellness dealer.

“My belief is that the only thing we can take with us is our knowledge and our life experiences.”

Morton, who has six children and 14 grandchildren, heard the University of Calgary offered free tuition for students aged 65 and older. In September 2009, she attended her first day of classes, with the goal of working towards a degree in developmental studies.

“I love (University), I just love it,” says a smiling Morton, her face lighting up as she talks about her classes, professors and new friends.

Many universities across Canada offer free tuition for senior citizen students and some daring seniors, like Morton, are willing to register for classes, make friends, and pursue a degree.

At the University of Calgary, a school with more than 27,000 students enrolled in graduate, undergraduate and professional degree programs, there are only 57 students aged 65 and over registered in the winter 2010 semester. This number includes senior citizen students enrolled in full-time or part-time studies in undergraduate or graduate programs, as well as those auditing courses.

John Mueller, a retired professor with the University of Calgary’s applied psychology division says from his experience, it’s not often you find senior citizen students on campus.

While offering free tuition to senior citizen students is “a perfectly good idea on paper,” Mueller says there have not been very large numbers of students aged 65 plus enrolled in university.

“Campus is a funny place for people who are not young,” he explains.

“Campus is designed for young people (who have) four years to dedicate to it.”

Mueller believes the number of senior citizen students has grown in recent years, probably because today’s seniors are more educated than the seniors of previous generations.

“Two generations ago, the number of people aged 60 or 65 who had the foundation to start college was pretty limited because in those days it wasn’t always the case that people finished high school,” says Mueller.

Morton grew up on a ranch in southern Alberta and attended school in Warner, a village located approximately 65 km south of Lethbridge.  She received her high school diploma in 1962, moved to Calgary and pursued hairdressing while upgrading her high school marks for entrance to university. Soon she was married and supporting her husband and family, and dreams of attending university were put on hold.

As an adult and mom, she eventually took classes at university, but a move across the country meant the classes stopped, until recently.

“I’ve always been a learner, but (my brushes with death) quickened my decision to just get to it,” she explains.

In 2008, Morton’s appendix ruptured and after a five day wait to get into the hospital the doctor who operated on her stated that it was a miracle she was alive.

“It was discovered that it had ruptured because it was cancerous, so I went in for surgery to correct that.”

The grandma of 14 endured an eight hour surgery to remove the cancer and today she is feeling healthy and loving her life as a student.

“I’m not afraid of dying,” she says. “But my concern is that I will not do as much as I could while I’m here alive.”

Morton received B’s in the two courses she took during her first semester and she has embraced the social aspect of campus life. The lively senior went dancing at the campus bar with her university friends and hosted a Christmas party for classmates.

“(Morton) had a very strong presence in the classroom,” explains Amy Badry, a classmate and one of the friends Morton went dancing with, “She’s very opinionated and interesting. It was a good balance in our classroom…she really added to the dynamic of the classroom.”

Nineteen-year-old Badry, a first-year developmental studies student, remembers meeting Morton for the first time in September and instantly being interested.

The two were in a tutorial class together and students were required to introduce themselves.

“She was one of the first people who introduced themselves. She told a little about herself and she had quite the interesting life story. I felt she really had something to teach everyone and we could learn a lot from her,” says Badry.

Badry, who lives away from home, has enjoyed “heart-to-hearts” with Morton, and sees her as a friend and motherly figure in her life.

“She’s very open-minded and she likes to listen. She’s open to what you think,” says Badry.

“She is very inspirational.”

Morton doesn’t mind being the oldest in her class and enjoys sharing stories with students decades younger than her.

“Being the oldest one in the class, even older than the professors, I’ve made friends with them and I’m happy to share and they appreciate that,” she explains.

Morton’s advice for other seniors considering university is to be excited and willing to put in time and hard work.

“You have to know it’s not going to be just a snap…There’s a whole new skill level,” says Morton, referring to embracing technology and using computers.

The 66-year-old says she hasn’t had any big challenges as a student, and by embracing school with enthusiasm and excitement she’s been able to accomplish everything she wants to.

“I think a lot of seniors are afraid,” Morton says referring to how few grey-haired students she’s seen on campus.

“Just go into it with this attitude of excitement,” she advises other seniors considering returning to the classroom.

“Learning is really just an adventure,” says Morton enthusiastically.

“And the only thing you take with you (when you leave), is what you’ve learned here.”

Thinking About Going Back to School?

A number of schools across Canada offer free or discounted tuition to students over the age of 65 including:

• University of Calgary
• University of Western Ontario
• University of British Columbia
• University of Lethbridge
• Mount Allison University

Discounted or free tuition programs tend to be very school-specific, thus the best step for seniors interested in attending university is to call the school’s enrolment services, registrar’s office, or check out their website.

Some schools, like the University of Western Ontario, offer a bursary for students, while others tender free tuition to all students who meet the age requirements. At UWO, students aged 60 and over who declare financial need, can apply for a bursary that will cover the cost of their learning. From the summer of 2008 to winter of 2009 academic term, 46 students received the Senior Citizen bursary.

The steps for enrolling in a university vary by school, but in most cases you need to submit an online or mail-in application by a specific deadline. At the University of Calgary, students applying for a degree program, like Morton, apply online and pay an application fee. Once their birth date is entered into the system and the registration process has begun, tuition is automatically adjusted.

For any school-specific information, give the university you’re interested in a call, or check out their website.

About The Author: Annalise Klingbeil is a freelance journalist and student at the University of Calgary.