Enjoy your turkey dinner and your family and or friends. Remember to give thanks for what YOU HAVE in your life. Happy Thanksgiving.

The Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Minister of State (Seniors), had asked the National Seniors Council to examine the issue of low income among seniors as one of its first priorities.

The NSC began work on the issue of low income among seniors in the fall of 2007, reviewing national data on issues related to seniors’ income as well as available public pension plans in Canada. Following that review, the NSC met with individuals and organizations that work with seniors to discuss the experiences and challenges faced by low-income seniors in their communities.

The Report provides the Government of Canada with a description of challenges faced by low-income seniors, including housing, transportation, health and awareness and delivery of services and benefits.

In the last 25 years, the incidence of low income among seniors has declined from approximately 21 percent to just over 5 percent. Every year, public pension benefits put almost $60 billion in the hands of Canada’s seniors. The Government of Canada has implemented measures that have improved the financial security of seniors and low-income pensioners. Apart from support through public pensions, the Government of Canada has also been providing tax relief that benefits seniors and heightens their financial security, as demonstrated in the article “What’s ahead for seniors in 2009″.

 What’s holding you back from losing weight and eating healthy?

This week, we’re looking at tips you can do today to lose weight and eat healthier for life!

 Tip #1:  Eat Real Food

You have an advantage over youth today:  you grew up eating real food so you know the difference between real food and processed food.

 Let’s look at some examples:

• eat real roast chicken instead of fast food fried chicken
• eat a real whole apple instead of apple pie
• eat a fresh leafy green salad instead of French fries

 It’s time to get back to basics.  To lose weight and promote good health, eat reasonable amounts of real food.

Tip #2:  Eat a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet promotes good health, weight loss, a stronger immune system, and increases your overall well-being.

 Try these tips for a balanced diet and include these 3 types of food in every meal:

• lean protein (whole animal foods)
• good carbohydrates  (whole plant foods)
• healthy fats (naturally occurring in healthy foods such as nuts and seeds, olive oil, salmon)

 Eat fresh raw vegetables every day. For a snack, try any of the following:

• small handful of unsalted raw nuts or seeds
• hard-boiled egg
• leftovers from last night’s supper

Seniors, it’s easy to eat a balanced diet.  Start enjoying the benefits of a balanced diet today!

 Tip #3:  Eat the Food Chain

It’s easy to eat the right stuff.  All you need to do is return to eating our natural Food Chain.

 Try these tips to eat our Food Chain:

• eat vegetables and fruit from the garden
• shop the perimeter of the grocery store where fresh vegetables, fruit, meats, seafood, poultry and eggs are located
• stay out of the interior aisles of the grocery store where most of the processed food is located
• cook your meals from scratch using fresh whole ingredients
• use basic, clean cooking methods (steam, bake, broil, poach)
• use very little added fat, salt, sugar, starch, sauces when you cook

           boost the flavour of foods with liberal use of herbs and spices liberally

 For weight loss and healthy eating, return to eating the Food Chain – this is the natural wholesome diet our bodies can handle.

Tip #4:  Eating Well – Saving Money

Eating well can save you money.  Don’t let a fixed budget stop you from eating “the right stuff” for weight loss and improved health.

 Here’s some tips for eating well for less:

• grow your own vegetables, herbs, fruit and berries in season
• freeze your excess garden produce for use in the winter
• shop for fresh produce at farmers markets in season
• buy extra produce at farmers markets and freeze for winter use
• buy only fresh whole real foods
• avoid buying processed, pre-packaged & prepared foods & ingredients
• prepare all your meals and snacks at home from scratch
• reduce portion sizes – stop eating before you are stuffed
• keep alcohol consumption to a minimum

No excuses. It’s easy – you can eat “the right stuff” and save money too! 

 Tip #5:  Easy Exercising That Works

You can see how easy it is to eat “the right stuff” for weight loss and improved health.

 Now let’s look at tips for fitting exercise into your lifestyle:

• plant a garden
• do yard work
• wash and vacuum your car
• do housecleaning
• walk to do errands
• walk to do a little shopping and carry your purchases home
• do a daily walk around your neighbourhood
• walk inside your local shopping mall during bad weather
• babysit grandchildren and play active games with them

           take up a sport (e.g., bowling)

You can see how easily you can work exercise into your daily lifestyle.  Choose activities you enjoy doing and you’ll reap the benefits of regular exercise.

 Start today to enjoy the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle!

Do you know someone who is trying to juggle work with looking after a terminally ill friend or family member?  This Federal Program may be of help to them.

Who is eligible?

-       a person who has to be absent from work to provide care or support to a gravely ill person at risk of dying within 26 weeks.

-       Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for Employment Insurance

-       Applicants include whomever the care receiver designates to be their caregiver (e.g., family member or friend).

-       Care can be shared among a group of people as long as they are eligible and each person goes through the application process

Compassionate care benefits may be paid up to a maximum of 6 weeks

Care or support means:

-         providing psychological or emotional support, or

-         arranging for care by a third party, or

-         directly providing or participating in the care.

Further information is available at:

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ei/types/compassionate_care.shtml&hs=tyt

Or call 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232).

Connaissez-vous quelqu’un qui essaie de concilier les exigences d’un emploi avec celles des soins à donner à un proche ou un membre de sa famille atteint d’une maladie mortelle ? Ce programme fédéral peut lui venir en aide. Qui est admissible ?

- Une personne qui s’est absentée de son travail pour offrir des soins ou du soutien à un proche ou un membre de sa famille souffrant d’une maladie grave, qui risque de causer le décès dans un délai de 26 semaines.

- Le requérant (homme ou femme) doit répondre aux critères d’admissibilité de l’assurance-emploi.

- Le requérant peut être quiconque la personne gravement malade désigne comme son aidant (par ex, membre de sa famille, conjoint de fait, ami).

- Les prestations peuvent être partagées par plusieurs personnes, en autant que ces personnes sont admissibles au programme et que chacune se conforme au processus d’admissibilité.

On peut recevoir jusqu’à un maximum de 6 semaines de prestations de compassion.

Soin ou soutien signifie :

-         offrir un soutien psychologique ou émotionnel ; ou

-         prendre des dispositions pour que quelqu’un d’autre prodigue des soins ; ou

-         fournir directement des soins ou y participer.

Des informations détaillées sont offertes sur le site :

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ei/types/compassionate_care.shtml&hs=tyt

On peut aussi appeler au numéro sans frais 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232).