"You can't teach an old
dog new tricks," is a wry reference to the increased difficulty of
learning as we age. It also recognizes that the close relationship
between humankind and dogs has made us similar in unsuspected ways. For
thousands of years, we have shared friendship and food with our canine
friends and become surprisingly like each other.
The University of Toronto capitalized on that similarity in a recent
study. Four groups of beagles were followed for ten years. One group
lived and ate normally. One had an enriched diet. The third group had a
more interesting, more active life style. (You should have read their
diaries!) The fourth group lived more interesting lives and had diets
that included antioxidants and food supplements.
The fourth group benefited significantly from the two-pronged approach.
Significantly!
On the basis of this experiment, you can delay the mental difficulties
that come with simple aging by watching what you eat and by remaining
involved in the concerns of your community and world. You must do both.
You may say, "Well, that's just common sense." Now, it is proven common
sense
Something New to Consider
One way to make living easier as we age,
is to move from a large family home to an apartment. Often these are in
fairly tall buildings. The view is nice. Your neighbours are nearby and
often friendly and supportive. But….how do you get out in case of fire?
If your building is more than three stories high, your building
superintendent will have an evacuation plan. If lower than that, you
should consider for yourself how to get out.
A pamphlet, “Fire in Your Apartment Building” gives good advice. It may
be obtained from Tom Marshall, Fire Prevention Officer with the Sarnia
Fire Rescue Services (phone 332-1122) and, no doubt, from other area
fire departments.
Some major points: Know when you should leave ("Can you hear the
alarms?" "Should you warn your neighbours?"). Know where to go. (Do you
have two, or more ways to get out safely?"). Know how to travel safely.
("Feel a door for heat before opening it." "Use stairways, not
elevators.")
There are other important things to consider. You may know many. Some
you have never thought of, before. All are covered in the booklet.
If your move to an apartment building is recent, phone now to get good
advice.
How to Reduce Probate Costs
If you want to reduce the cost of winding
up your estate (by simply reducing the value of your estate) drive very
quickly past the airport, going into Sarnia. You can run up astonishing
fines. The elderly often find it inconvenient to drive fast, so here is
how you may produce the same result, without leaving home.
Fire Prevention Officer Tom Marshall caught the attention of members of
the Strangway Centre Seniors Information Network recently, with the
information that the fine for not having a working smoke detector is
$235. Most of his listeners thought that a working smoke detector was a
good idea. The potential loss of $235 (for EACH non-working detector)
made it an even better idea.
The Lambton Seniors Association strives to install working smoke
detectors in seniors’ homes across the County each fall. Once in place,
keep them working. Replace batteries once a year and the entire detector
after ten years. Remember too the life saving advantages of a carbon
monoxide detector.
The longer wait to settle your estate will far outweigh the extra cost
of probate.
