Do you ever think about falling? You’re not alone. As we age, both the chance and the consequence of falling increases, making us think about the risk of falling more often. According to this Finding Balance Alberta fact sheet, in 2021 there were over 10,000 fall-related hospital admissions. In fact, falls reportedly led to more…
by Brittany FauxHealthy Aging Social Worker In World War 2, my grandfather, David, served as a navigator for the Royal Canadian Air Force. In this role, he instructed the pilots where to fly their planes and which targets to strike. While he interpreted the maps, the pilots were able to direct all of their focus…
By Phyllis FootzHealthy Aging Nurse There are over 76 million baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) who will soon be known as senior citizens. The perception of old age has changed because of this generation who believe 61 years is considered middle age. On average, Albertans today say that 71 years of age…
At 97, Henry Schroder isn’t worried about his health. He still lives at home, shovels his own driveway and builds his own airplanes. Henry still remembers growing up during the Russia Revolution and can outline specific details of his childhood and his time in the Canadian Air Force during World War II. He was married…
Sabine Brouillette credits her health team at Edmonton Southside PCN for saving her life. The 67-year-old COPD patient’s breathing was becoming worse. When she was refused treatment at her dentist because of her breathing, she went to see her family doctor, Dr. Colleen Johnston, at Town Centre Family Clinic. Dr. Johnston referred Sabine to a…
Larry and Louise Cousins are armed with more information after attending two Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network workshops aimed at educating seniors. They discovered the Housing for Seniors workshop after seeing a poster for it in their family doctor’s office. The couple, who have been married for 42 years, wanted to ensure they are prepared…
It’s challenging enough to manage your own health care needs. What happens if you are responsible for a parent’s health too? Bill and Carol Matthews, both 69, are caring for Carol’s 95-year-old mother. However, the whole family has benefited from the multigenerational care and workshops offered from Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network (PCN). “We didn’t…
Social isolation for a senior is hard to handle, especially if you don’t have any helpful resources. Ann Rolls would have felt trapped in her home if she didn’t have a geriatric nurse from Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network to turn to for assistance. Ann first met Mary Whale in March 2011 when her family…
Coordinating care for a senior can be a difficult challenge, especially when you are unfamiliar with which resources to turn to. For Winn McLeod, caring for her husband, Cliff, became a bit easier once Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network began providing support. Cliff, 85, has Parkinson’s Disease. Winn says he has a hard time walking…
Joyce Hastings turned to Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network for solutions and support while caring for her ailing husband, Irving. He was diagnosed with a mild cognitive impairment in 2004 and thought he could handle it, says Joyce. “Irving didn’t want anyone else interfering. He had a plan to cure himself. He was exercising his…