Out and about with Christine….getting things done in preparation for her trip to Australia!

This week the bulldozers finally started digging at the Glen Yards.  The scheduled completion date is 2014.

The Quebec Government announced this week that it will spend $20 million over 5 years on a new range of programmes and services aimed at fighting elder abuse.

Elder abuse is most often committed by a family member or friend.  It can take many forms, including physical violence, sexual abuse, psychological manipulation and financial abuse. 

Seniors are often afraid to report abuse for fear of retribution.

The new measures proposed include a help/referral line, French and English language TV commercials on the issue, a university research chair to improve understanding of the issue and a network  that will connect elder abuse services across the province.

In 2009, there were 1.2 million Quebecers over the age of 65, or 14.2% of the population.  By 2031 the population of seniors is expected to reach 2.3 million and make up 25.6% of the population.

From reports on CBC Radio and the Montreal Gazette, June 14, 2010, Reporter:  C. Cornacchia

Atwater Market in Montreal is a lovely place for an outing – as we did last week – lunch and a walk around to see the beautiful flowers and farm stalls!

In a new report, The Canadian Health Information Centre has released data gathered from about 50,000 seniors in nursing homes.  The study found that almost 45% of residents had symptoms of depression or had been diagnosed with it.  26% had a clinical diagnosis and another 18% of residents had symptoms but were undiagnosed and untreated.

“It is an urgent problem”, said Dr. Marie-France Rivard, a psychiatrist in Ottawa who treats the elderly.  Residents have been placed in nursing homes not of their own accord, often after watching spouses die and losing their independence.  They become lonely, isolated and develop more illnesses.

Dr. Rivard pointed out that depression is not a natural part of aging, and she emphasized that if seniors or their family, friends or caregivers were able to recognize the symptoms of depression, the patients could be treated for it and their lives would be vastly improved.  When patients are treated for depression, they have fewer medical problems, are more functional and better able to socialize and have a better quality of life.

Symptoms of depression can include poor sleeping or eating patterns and anger, anxiety, tearfulness and isolation. 

The study found that there are lower rates of depression for those seniors living at home.

The New York-based blog, Advanced Style, celebrates Seniors with a fashion sense – in a complimentary way.  The blog’s author, Ari Seth Cohen, was inspired by his Grandmother.  He goes around New York City chatting with, and taking photos of, well-dressed Seniors, which he then posts on his blog.  Ari says, “Respect your elders and let these ladies and gents teach you a thing or two about living life to the fullest”.  Check out Ari’s great blog at advancedstyle.blogspot.com.  Well done Ari!!

Montreal lawyer Ann Soden was well ahead of her time when she founded the national elder law section of the Canadian Bar Association in 2002.  This section now includes 1,300 lawyers who have an interest in the law and aging.  Today Ann Soden is working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that the rights of older people, with or without dementia, are protected.  As well as practicing law, Ann teaches and lectures on the subject, which goes beyond wills and estate planning to include advising on legal aspects of medical care, housing, financial or nursing home abuse and other issues of concern to older people.  If you would like to know more about Ann Soden’s pro-bono legal clinic, visit www.elderlawcanada.ca. 

Also of interest is the website of the Public Curator, www.curateur.gouv.qc.ca/cura/en/index.html.

(Some of the information in this posting was taken from Kathryn Leger’s article in The Montreal Gazette, January 8, 2010).

The Winter/Spring 2010 programme runs from Feb. 18 to May 27, 2010.  Art Focus offers lectures on fine arts, architecture, decorative arts, private gallery and museum visits, Italian language classes and spring architectural walking tours.  Call 514 – 937-6391 for a brochure.

Dear Lesley,

Thank you so much for accompanying me to my CAT scan.  I am really glad that you were there with me! 

Mary L., Westmount

Marguerite Blais, Minister responsible for Seniors in the Province of Quebec, announced today that the government will be joining forces with philanthropist André Chagnon to create a $200 million fund to provide support to exhausted caregivers who take care of seniors with degenerative cognitive conditions.  The money will be given to non-profit groups so that they can develop programmes to provide respite and other support to caregivers.

There are about 300,000 people in Quebec who take care of a cognitively disabled loved one at home.  Education programmes on Alzheimer’s will also be offered.

The money will be spent over the next 10 years. 

(from K. Wilton, Montreal Gazette, November 24/09)