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Balancing Act Archives |
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August, 2006: Family Snack Smarts |
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July, 2006: Cooperative Co-parenting |
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June, 2006: Street Proofing Teens 101 |
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May, 2006: Harmony is in season: Harmony is in season: Warm Weather Activities To Bring The Family Together |
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April, 2006: Caregiving: Sensible Steps To Success |
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March, 2006: Healthy Eating In A Fast Food World |
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February, 2006: Stress Busters to Stay Lighthearted |
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January, 2006: Brain Gain in Life's Later Years |
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December, 2005: Holiday Budget Planning |
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November, 2005: Combating Childhood Obesity |
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October, 2005: Eating Away at Colds and Flu |
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September, 2005: Avoiding the Aches of Osteoarthritis |
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August, 2005: Growing Older, Eating Wiser |
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July, 2005: Nutrition Tips for the Healthiest Summer Ever |
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June, 2005: Long-Term Care Facilities/Nursing Homes - How Do I Choose the Right One? |
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May, 2005: Nutrition and Your Baby: Introducing solid food to the menu |
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April, 2005: When Baby Comes Home For The First Time |
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March, 2005: Stepping into the Role of Stepparent |
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February, 2005: Pumping Fitness into Your Day |
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January, 2005: Remedies for Financial Holiday Hangovers |
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December, 2004: Time Out: Making the most of the holidays |
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November, 2004: An Ounce of Prevention: Type 2 Diabetes |
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October, 2004: Dealing with Peer Pressure |
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September, 2004: Long Distance Caregiving |
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August, 2004: The ‘Be-tween’ Transition, 2004 |
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July, 2004: Easing into summer vacation |
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June, 2004: A family-friendly balance for working fathers |
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May, 2004: Communication Tips to Help Young Minds Grow |
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April, 2004: Tips for Making the Tax Season Less Taxing |
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March, 2004: The Dieting Merry-Go-Round |
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February, 2004: Keeping Your Financial Future in Check |
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January, 2004: Here Comes the Flu |
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December, 2003: Communicating with your Teen |
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November, 2003: Eating for Energy |
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October, 2003: Work-life Balance: Making it Work for You |
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September, 2003: The Homework Zone |
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August, 2003: Health Hints to Ease Your Family in to the Fall Season |
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July, 2003: Stay Alert and Stay Safe - Streetproofing your kids |
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June, 2003: Summer Activities for Stay-at-Home Kids |
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May, 2003: Helping Older Relatives Stay Active |
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April, 2003: Spring-cleaning: For the home, the family, and you |
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March, 2003: Choosing a Summer Camp |
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February, 2003: Baby couch potatoes: Tearing your kids away from the TV |
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January, 2003: Resolution Solutions |
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December, 2002: Holiday Stress Blasters |
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November, 2002: Beating the Winter Blues |
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October, 2002: Making the most of family mealtimes |
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September, 2002: Generation Relations |
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August 2002: Vacation Relaxation |
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July 2002: Swimming Safety |
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May 2002: Stuck in the Middle. The Sandwich Generation |
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April, 2002: Supporting Your Child's Social Success |
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March, 2002: After the Spring Break ... Take a Break For Yourself |
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February, 2002: Keep those loving connections alive |
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January, 2002: Ringing in a Balanced New Year |
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December, 2001: Holiday Safety Tips |
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November, 2001: It's Flu Season |
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October, 2001: Halloween Safety Tips |
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September, 2001: Back to school |
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Helping
Older Relatives Stay Active
Over the last few decades researchers have begun to build a case for what most
of us have long suspected: age is a state of mind. Staying involved—physically,
socially and intellectually—is one of the best ways to keep young in body
and spirit. Your support can go a long way in helping older relatives and friends
tap in to the fountain of youth. Encourage older loved ones to:
Keep fit. Working out isn’t just for younger generations.
In fact moderate physical activity for 30 minutes, three times a week can prevent
bone density loss and improve circulation, appetite and mobility. Whether it’s
a stroll around the block, tai chi or a fitness class specifically geared to older
participants (including those with limited mobility), exercise is a great way
for many seniors to stay energized. Be sure to consult a physician before
starting any new exercise program.
Stay safe. Install handrails, ramps, slip-resistant mats,
lights and other safety devices to help less agile seniors get around their home
independently, safely and easily.
Socialize. Investigate senior citizen day programs offered
at local community centres and places of worship. From painting classes to language
lessons, sing-alongs to computer training, day programs give older adults a chance
to get out of the house and mingle with people who have similar interests.
Get out. If your older relative is not able to drive, offer
to ‘chauffeur’ him or her to doctor’s appointments, the mall
or day programs from time to time. If this isn’t possible, look into local
volunteer and agency-based transportation services that are available for a small
fee.
Connect with the family. Set up a regular visiting time for
the whole family to get together. If relatives live further away, then e-mail,
phone or write on a regular basis and make an effort to gather for major holidays
or celebrations.
Contribute. Volunteering is great way for seniors to maintain
a connection to the community and feel that they’re making a contribution.
Whether it’s packing boxes at the local food bank, reading stories to children
at the library or assisting new immigrants with language learning, helping others
feels good at any age.
By taking an active role in older loved ones’ lives, you’ll help
ensure they’re getting the support they need to stay active and energized.
You may even learn a lesson or two about how you can remain young at heart along
the way.
Need more information on parenting? Your Employee Assistance Program
(EAP) can help with a child to elder care resource and referral service
that is geared toward enhancing the quality of family life. Call your
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to see if you are eligible for the
child to elder care resource and referral service at 1 866.468.9461
or 1.800.387.4765.
This newsletter is meant for informational purposes only and may not necessarily represent the views of individual organizations.
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