Burlington Elections 2014

  If you are reading this, ( thank you ) you probably know that I am running for election in Ward 1 in Burlington.  I’m very excited about this opportunity to serve my community more completely.  I already do significant volunteer work but winning this election can allow me to do so much more.

What really has me shaking my head is that there will most likely be less people voting this year in Burlington.  Its not that there is less interest, or less worthy candidates.  Yes, there are always some people who put their names forward that are more focused on their specific agenda item than they are involved in what is going on around them generally, but that is to be expected.  There are today 27 registered candidates for the 6 Wards, in the last two elections there were 28 in each.  School Board Trustee candidates are at 17, while there were 20 and 16 respectively in the last two elections.

So why am I concerned ? In each of the last 2 elections there were 5 candidates for the Mayors position.  As it stands as I write this today, in this election the Mayor will be acclaimed because nobody has put their name forward.

It doesn’t matter if you think that the Mayor has done a good job or a bad job, having a Mayor acclaimed will hurt voter turnout in the Wards.

The fact that NONE of the incumbent Councillors are going to take on the Mayor makes me think that at least those with more than 10 years at City Hall may be complacent.  Do they lack the vision, enthusiasm or energy ? or worst of all, are they just be happy to ride it out for as long as they can so they can collect that cheque every month ?

I want more from my City Councillors.  I deserve more.  On election day, cast your vote and demand fresh new leadership at City Hall.

Please visit my website at burlingtoncouncillor.ca

Prioner to President in one Lifetime

The true greatness of anyone is how he or she touches the hearts and the soul of not just those he meets but of those that he does not meet.  The world lost a great man when Nelson Mandela passed away.  A man who became and remained one of the leading citizens of the world as a Senior citizen.

Quotes from Nelson Mandela:

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

 

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

 

A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.

 

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

 

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

 

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.

 

There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

 

It always seems impossible until its done.

 

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

 

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.

 

There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.

 

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

 

A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don’t have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.

 

Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.

 

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

 

Does anybody really think that they didn’t get what they had because they didn’t have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?

 

Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.

 

Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.

Signs and Symptoms of Flu

 
     
People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How Flu Spreads

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.
 Period of Contagiousness

You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

How Serious is the Flu?

Flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary widely from one season to the next depending on many things, including:
• which flu viruses are spreading
• how much flu vaccine is available
• when vaccine is available
• how many people get vaccinated, and
• how well the flu vaccine is matched to flu viruses that are causing illness

Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications, if they get the flu. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and persons who live in facilities like nursing homes.

12 Senior Moments of Christmas…..

I would not recommend you try to sing either of these versions of the 12 Days of Christmas.   These are the 12 Rules of Christmas.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a bag salt for the walkway.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, the  neighbours kids phone number to shovel the drive.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, battery operated candles.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, an extra blanket.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, batteries for my the carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, gift cards to give rather than cash.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, night-lites.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a furnace check up.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, timers for the outdoor lights.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, rubber soled slippers.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, an emergency kit for in the car.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a list of emergency phone numbers.

If you prefer, you can create the 12 Chores of Christmas for your husband   ( because there are no husbands out there brave enough to come up with a list of   chores for their wives – Red Green will vouch for that.)

on the 1st day of Christmas my true love told to me……hire the kid next door to shovel the snow.

on the 2nd day of Christmas my true love told to me……check the batteries in the carbon dioxide monitor and the smoke detector.

on the 3rd day of Christmas my true love told to me……change the furnace filter.

on the 4th day of Christmas my true love told to me……use your ugly sweater to block the draft at the back door.

on the 5th day of Christmas my true love told to me……take the tree out of the closet, and take off  the sheet that’s covering it.

on the 6th day of Christmas my true love told to me……make sure you have lots of gas (in the car).

on the 7th day of Christmas my true love told to me……let someone know your destination and route because I’m tired of telling you where you’re forgotten when you get back home.

on the 8th day of Christmas my true love told to me……don’t light the good candles, they are battery operated.

on the 9th day of Christmas my true love told to me…..yes that’s where the stuffing always goes.

on the 10th day of Christmas my true love told to me…..don’t put the chains on the rear wheels this year, it’s front wheel drive and we’ve had it for seven years.

on the 11th day of Christmas my true love told to me…..yes seventeen Christmas cookies will spike blood sugar levels – again.

and finally, on the 12th day of Christmas my true love told to me……sign my card and but it on that box under the tree, you’ll see what you got me in the morning.

HoHoHo and Merry Christmas !!!

 

Physical Fitness and Our Aging Population

It’s not a secret that we are living longer. Is this a problem? Medical technology certainly has much to do with prolonging life, yet just living longer does not mean you are living a healthier life. For example, simply walk through nearly any senior apartment complex and look at how many folks are sitting watching television all day long – just sitting all day long. Are these seniors healthy? Or, are they aging more slowly than their parents did due to increased medical advances and medications? 

So, how to change this situation? Physical activity is the answer. Now I know that doesn’t surprise most of you, however, the scope of the affect of regular physical activity on developing a “healthy” life style is impressive. Regular exercise can even go so far as to eliminate the need for medical intervention with regard to many of our illnesses that seem to be so prevalent in today’s world. An example would be diabetes. We would agree that many people are overweight. We would also agree that as we age, we tend to put on needless pounds. And, we might also agree that many of those needless pounds are a direct result of a lessening of regular physical activity (not to mention an unhealthy diet).

Granted the life style of the day was not as advanced with respect to exercise as it is today, so the proliferation of “gyms” as we understand them now had not yet begun. Also, “back in the day,” people’s routines lent themselves to more exercise (i.e., cutting their own lawns, shoveling their own driveways in the winter, painting their own houses, etc.). Yet, we know now that regular exercise and better eating habits, or being “fit,” is the way to go if you want to live a healthier life.

That requires some effort on the part of an individual in order to achieve the desired result: live not only longer, but healthier.

Aging is not only the accumulation of genetic reactions in our bodies, but the accumulation of poor habits, in the forms of eating and physical activity. When we let “ourselves go,” we allow these poor habits to take effect on our already aging bodies, speeding the process along. Take for example the number one problem with our elderly – falling. Falling is the result of a person’s inability to maintain balance. This is a result of the person’s psychological fear of actually falling (and the resulting physical damage the person may incur, i.e., broken hip, fractured arm, etc.), and their physical inability to stop themselves from actually falling (which requires muscle strength). Thus, a regular routine of not only aerobic exercise, but also strength training would go a long way in helping to eliminate the incidences of falling, especially in our elder population. For as our muscles gain strength, so does our ability to control our bodies’ movements, thus the increase in the ability to prevent a fall.

Exercise, both aerobic and weight training, is the way to go, for all adults. The programs that include these two forms of exercise will assist in reducing the need for medical intervention, especially as we age. With less required medical intervention, our elder population can remain more independent for longer periods, and, isn’t that what we all fear the most, losing our independence?

 

Sleep Disorders and the Elderly

Many of us think that as we age, we need less sleep in order to function well during our waking hours, possibly due to the perceived lack of activity of older folks as compared to the young who run, jump, and play all day long. There is no general consensus among sleep professionals on this subject. It is clear that kids do seem to require more sleep in order to maintain such an active lifestyle. However, one thing is certain, we all need a solid night’s sleep in order to keep ourselves active at optimal level throughout the day. For many older folks, that is just not happening.

 

Why? Well, as we age, our lifestyles change, which can and does create potential sleep disturbing issues. For example, we take on more responsibilities, which can develop into worrisome thought, which then can lead to sleep interruption. So as we get older there are many “issues” that can develop, thus adding to sleep disorders. However, there are other more specific reasons for these sleep disorders. Sleep apnea is a major cause of sleep disruption. Apneas are basically an absence of airflow for 10 seconds or longer during our sleep period. When multiple sleep apneas occur during a sleep period, restful sleep is clearly interrupted and the solid night’s sleep is lost.

 

There are also sleep related movement disorders, such as restless leg syndrome which is the need to move one’s legs as a result of “uncomfortable” urges. There is also the more prevalent movement disorder, periodic limp movement disorder, where one’s limbs (again, usually the legs) jerk every 20-40 seconds during sleep periods. Both of these sleep related movement disorders can easily be disruptive to sleep.

 

REM behavior disorder is a disruption of our normal dream process. In this disorder, the elder (and often in men beginning at age 60) experiences incomplete REM cycles, or a temporary loss of muscle strength, that can manifest itself in more violent dreams forms. Sometimes this form of sleep disorder can be a precursor to another form of illness, such as dementia or Parkinson’s.

 

The result of these different sleep disorders can be linked to many of the elder’s symptoms: lack of full night’s sleep, waking up often during the night, difficulty falling asleep, and increased confusion. Often, an elder will seem more depressed, have associated memory issues, will begin napping more during the day and/or begin using more over-the-counter sleep medications as the effects of their sleep disorder(s) continue. It is important to recognize these symptoms in order to treat the underlying issues.  See also last weeks Blog on Stress.

 

Some easily addressed thoughts that can be helpful when a good nights sleep is a problem…..

•       Develop a healthier lifestyle (eat better, exercise regularly, etc.)

•       Avoid eating too close to bedtime.

•       Develop a bedtime routine and stick with it.

•        Use the bed for sleep and intimacy, not for watching TV, etc.

•       Don’t use caffeine prior to bedtime.

•       Put your worries to bed before you put yourself to bed.

•       Avoid daytime napping.

•       Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool during sleep periods.

                                                                              Sweet Dreams

Troubles Sleeping ?

 

Many of us think that as we age, we need less sleep in order to function well during our waking hours, possibly due to the perceived lack of activity of older folks as compared to the young who run, jump, and play all day long. There is no general consensus among sleep professionals on this subject. It is clear that kids do seem to require more sleep in order to maintain such an active lifestyle. However, one thing is certain, we all need a solid night’s sleep in order to keep running at optimal speed during the day. For many older folks, that is just not happening.

 

Why? Well, as we age, our lifestyles change, which can and does create potential sleep disturbing issues. For example, we take on more responsibilities, which can develop into worrisome thought, which then can lead to sleep interruption. So as we get older there are many “issues” that can develop, thus adding to sleep disorders. However, there are other more specific reasons for these sleep disorders. Sleep apnea is a major cause of sleep disruption. Apneas are basically an absence of airflow for 10 seconds or longer during our sleep period. When multiple sleep apneas occur during a sleep period, restful sleep is clearly interrupted and the solid night’s sleep is lost.

 

There are also sleep related movement disorders, such as restless leg syndrome which is the need to move one’s legs as a result of “uncomfortable” urges. There is also the more prevalent movement disorder, periodic limp movement disorder, where one’s limbs (again, usually the legs) jerk every 20-40 seconds during sleep periods. Both of these sleep related movement disorders can easily be disruptive to sleep.

 

REM behavior disorder is a disruption of our normal dream process. In this disorder, the elder (and often in men beginning at age 60) experiences incomplete REM cycles, or a temporary paralysis (low muscle tone during REM), that prevents the dream from being enacted, and can often manifest itself in more violent dreams forms. Often, this form of sleep disorder is a precursor to another form of illness, such as dementia or Parkinson’s.

 

The result of these different sleep disorders can be correlated to many of the elder’s symptoms: lack of full night’s sleep, waking up often during the night, difficulty falling asleep, and increased confusion. Often, an elder will seem more depressed, have associated memory issues, will begin napping more during the day and/or begin using more over-the-counter sleep medications as the effects of their sleep disorder(s) continue. It is important to recognize these symptoms in order to treat the underlying disorder.

There are several easy thoughts that are readily at hand:

 

•       Develop a healthier lifestyle (eat better, exercise regularly, etc.)
•       Avoid eating too close to bedtime.
•       Develop a bedtime routine and stick with it.
•      Use the bed for sleep and intimacy, not for watching TV, etc.
•       Don’t use caffeine prior to bedtime.
•       Put your worries to bed before you put yourself to bed.
•       Avoid daytime napping.
•       Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool during sleep periods.

Don’t forget Fluffy is family too

Benjamin Franklin said, “The only things certain in life are death and taxes.”  At a certain level we all understand and accept that our time on this earth is finite.  We also understand that same thing when it comes to those around us.  Yes even the cat.

Loss tends to be felt the most accutely by those that are least likely to be in a position to be able to accept the loss.  Children and widowed seniors.  We’ve all heard about pets that have passed away right after their owners, and we’ve also heard of people refusing to leave their homes because of the cat.

We are all attached to our pets, but sometimes we forget that when someone looses their pet that there is a grieving process that the person/family has to go through.  It’s not just a dog, its a part of someones life that has passed away.  It’s never just a solitary event either, loosing a pet reminds us of those that have gone before,be it a spouse (to a Senior) or a grandparent (to a child).  Respect, comfort and support are the things that we need to give to those that are grieving.  Understanding the depth of the loss is not totally possible since love in not a rational thing, but allowing someone to grieve and helping them work through that grief is our responsibility.

To steal a passage from John McCrae’s poem In flanders Fields, “ Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved”  Death is the completion of a cycle, but it is not the end of everyting.  It is the beginning of a new stage “To you, from failing hands, we throw The torch: be yours to hold it high.”  A stage filled with warm memories, loving reflection and the reminder that the pain that is left behind will itself pass.

To all of you that have grandparents, parents, pets or anything that you love – please, cherish that love and know that in your heart nothing every truly leaves us until we let it go.

In loving memory of Edwin (the cat) – October 22, 2013.

Love ’em or hate ’em – they’re Family

Every so often I am reminded that no matter what we do in this life, there are people out there who will not approve.  They may not like how you do something, why you do it, they might not like the colour of your scarf.   Since we spend so much of our time with our immediate family, guess who gets the brunt of our complaints – deserved or not – yup your FAMILY.

 

Desmond Tutu once said that “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”  He’s right of course but so too is Mark Twain when he took an older saying and made it his own….”Familliarity breeds contempt – and children.”

So how do we manage both sides of the coin ?  Communication of course.  But whe it comes to family lets not forget a healthy dose of serentiy, courage and wisdom…… “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”   Family knows your hot buttons, and nobody complains to someone more than they complain to family.

When dealing with family or anyone for that matter it is very important to make sure to listen to the person who is speaking, and simultaneously hear what they say and mean.  Context also comes into play of course.  If your mother is in pain it is more likely that she will express some sort of anger – and if you happen to be the person in the room, you end up being the target.  This isn’t by any means an excuse for the anger, nor is it a justification.  It is simply context.

Once we learn to list, hear and apply context we are able to start to address the problem.  Then we can start to make an impact on a persons life.  Sometimes of course it seems that people simply want to vent.  That’s OK.  It’s providing context.  We all have the right to our emotions and we should feel free to share those emotions and thoughts with our family.  Lets all just make sure that we understand without over-reacting to someones anger.

Words can be very hurtful, and often that hurt is felt the most acutely by the ones we love.  No matter what is said or done, family is family.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins”  1st Peter 4:8

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1st Corinthians 12: 4-8

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Reinhold Niebuhr

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/reinholdni100884.html#FORp1uhURvQzsswe.99

Familiarity breeds contempt – and children.
Mark Twain
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/familiarity.html#KA16EM3sSKOic7iv.99

Familiarity breeds contempt – and children.
Mark Twain
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/familiarity.html#KA16EM3sSKOic7iv.99

 

Aged Like a Fine Wine

When you think of a beautiful vintage wine, along with the wine itself you probably also get images of other things too.  Perhaps an attractive wine glass, a wine cellar, a wine rack and a corkscrew.  Maybe a plastic screw cap and a box are more your style.  Whatever you envision along with the wine, those are supports.  Things that make the wine what it is and the things that go into making the experience what it is.

 

The same can be said for the Seniors that live in our community.  They can be wonderful family, friends and companions.  They are a veritable font of information and stories.  They can be some of the most valuable members of our community.  Sometimes like the glass of wine, they need supports.  Canes, wheelchairs, our elbow to hold on to, Personal Support Workers etc.

 

The artistic flair of a 19th century crystal wine goblet adds to the experience and enjoyment of a beautiful 70 year old French Cabernet Sauvignon.  So why should a Walker detract from the value of a 70 year old lady ?  Is the perception of supports a sign of weakness and of a decrease in the persons worth ?  I can’t image anyone saying yes.

 

The old adage of  ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ holds true.  Without or Seniors we as a community would loose a tremendous amount.  I know that in my community if you go to most of the volunteer organization and take a look at who is doing the  work you’ll be amazed at the amount of white hair you’ll see.  Why ? partly because they have the time, but mostly because they have the ability.

 

Don’t underestimate Seniors, and don’t assume that a cane is a barrier.