Bryan G, Author at Verve Senior Living Blog

We are kicking off summer with fresh fruits! The Richmond Hill residents created beautiful, fresh fruit arrangements mixed with sweets. The best part is eating your masterpiece!

The Java Music Club at our White Cliffe Terrace Residence is a peer support program that provides a safe group atmosphere where our residents can give and receive support by sharing vulnerabilities and strengths, and finding value in each other’s help.

(Original article can be found at https://www.redfin.com/blog/senior-tech-safety-tips)

When it comes to technology, it’s good to be cautious, but it’s better to be educated. If you’re a senior looking to become more tech-savvy, congratulations! Technology can keep you more connected to your loved ones, up-to-date on current events, and it can even give you access to medical records and important files. Still, a healthy amount of caution for technology is necessary, which is why this guide walks you through safety tips for:

Computers
The Internet
Smartphones
Emails
Scams
Private information

Basic Safety for Computers

Even though more and more people are using smartphones and tablets for online browsing, many seniors find comfort in the familiarity of a computer. Often, the screens are easier to see and read, and the bigger keyboard is easier for those who suffer from arthritis.

Security Software: Keep your computer safe and secure by installing security software, and keep it up-to-date. Most types of security software have an auto-update feature, but you’ll likely need to enable it. This ensures you always have the latest version and the best protection.
Password Protected: Enable a password on your computer so that no one else can use it without authorization.

The Internet

The internet is unimaginably big and filled with wonderful, amazing information that you can get at the click of a button. However, there is a dark side to the internet. Be mindful of these suggestions to keep you safe while surfing the internet from any device:

Social Media Privacy: Take care in what you post on social media sites like Facebook. Before you begin posting, be sure to thoroughly read about the social media provider’s privacy settings.
Downloading Software: Avoid downloading software from a brand that you are unfamiliar with or that is free. While some are safe, many come with spyware that can slow or even crash your computer.
Online Harassment: Cyberbullying isn’t just a teenage epidemic. Seniors are susceptible, too. Be sure you know how to report abuse on the network or forum. Try not to fan the flames with any kind of response.

Safer Smartphones

Chances are, you have a computer right in your pocket — an iPhone or Android smartphone. Sure, you may use it to call your son every once in awhile, but most people use their smartphones for surfing the web, checking social media, sending emails and text messaging. With so much to say and do on a smartphone, you want to be sure everything is locked up tightly — including the apps you use. Here are a few tips for a safer smartphone:

Screen Lock + Password: Use a screen lock to allow entry to your phone. Your phone might use a passcode, a fingerprint or face recognition as security.
Trusted Wi-Fi Networks: Connect only to trusted Wi-Fi networks. Hackers can easily tap into free Wi-Fi, so be sure that when using public networks, the connection is one you know and trust.
Automatic Lock: Make sure your device locks itself automatically, so if you accidentally leave it on the bus or at the doctor’s office, no one can access your information, even if you didn’t intentionally lock it.
Illegitimate Calls: Beware of calls from people claiming to be a government entity and requesting payment information or stating you owe money.

Safely Staying in Touch through Email

Email is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family that you don’t see every day. You don’t have to wait several days for a letter to arrive in the mail, and most email service providers are free, which saves you the cost of postage. However, emails can also come with some safety concerns that seniors especially want to be on the lookout for:

Attachments: Don’t open attachments from addresses you don’t recognize. Attachments can transmit viruses to your computer the moment you open them. Sometimes, these viruses are clever and appear to come from people you may know. If you even slightly suspect an attachment is off, don’t open it before talking to the sender.
Sender: Never trust any email that asks you to give the sender personal or account information. Remember, no bank or respectable financial company will ever ask for any personal information via email.
Be realistic — someone you don’t know doesn’t actually want to give you money. Don’t trust an email from anyone you don’t know who is trying to help you make money. Do not send them any personal information, like your birth date, Social Security number or banking information.

Emails are one of the main ways that scammers try to take advantage of seniors and other internet users. You can limit their impact by being aware and cautious of how online scams work.

Keeping an Eye Out for Scams

It’s sad but true — technology is riddled with scams, from emails asking for banking info to phone calls looking for your medical information. Unfortunately, seniors are often the target of scams, which is why you need to be twice as prepared and cautious. When using technology, avoid scams by:

Releasing personal information: Never entering your information into a site that looks similar to your bank or credit card company, but with a different website address. Rather than clicking on a link in an email, use Google or another search engine to find the real one.
Clickable text: Being cautious about clickable text warning you against fraud. Just because a sender warns you to be careful doesn’t mean they are legitimate. Remember, anyone can falsely claim to be offering you a safe and secure link.
Strange requests for help: Avoiding helping someone you don’t know. You have a big heart, and when someone reaches out for money or help, you might be inclined to offer it. Be cautious. As much as you may want to respond, the odds are that it’s a scam.
Links: Never clicking on a link from an email and entering in private information to the site it directs you to, even if the webpage looks and feels secure. This is a scam called phishing, and it gives hackers access to your username and password — along with whatever you’re trying to protect.

Scams are pervasive, but it can get easier to recognize them if you have a cautious eye. Protecting your information is key to keeping scammers at bay.

Protecting Private Information

From your date of birth to the PIN for your bank account, there are many reasons to use personal information online. You can file your taxes, pay bills, purchase gifts and even review recent health test results. However, the more that’s out there, the more you have to protect. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

Passwords: Create unique and strong passwords that include upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters whenever possible. Never reveal your password to anyone online, and be certain that reputable companies will never ask you to.
Personal Identification Requests: Be extra cautious when anyone asks you to provide your date of birth, Social Security number or bank account information.
Double check accounts: Monitor your bank accounts regularly so you can catch unusual activity right away.
Only shop using reputable sites: Avoid online shopping at retailers that are not established or haven’t been

If you’re still unsure of your tech-savvy skills, sign up for a computer class at your local library, senior center or college. Technology can be a huge benefit to your quality of life, like letting you stay in touch with loved ones or communicating with medical professionals with ease, but you must handle it with care. When in doubt, always stop what you’re doing and ask someone you trust for their opinion.

Hugh Mackenzie, an extraordinary artist and former teacher at OCAD University, recently had his latest work exhibited at the Bau-Xi gallery. The show was a success with art lovers, friends, family, former students and his fellow residents from Hazelton Place Retirement Residence attending his opening reception on March 3rd.

Mr. Mackenzie, is a very accomplished artist and respected teacher at the University where he taught. In 2017, he received the “Distinguished Educator Award” from the University. If you have visited the House of Commons in Ottawa, you may have seen one of his famous portraits the of former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. Follow the link below to see a picture of the portrait and Mr. Mackenzie in the midst of painting it.
https://bau-xi.com/blogs/news/from-the-archive-hugh-mackenzie-paints-prime-minister-s-portrait

Approaching his 90th year, Mr. Mackenzie has discovered what he loves about art and what it means to him. Watch the video below to hear some of his thoughts on his recent Art Exhibition.

Ladies from the Knitting Club meet with All Paws Rescue

Ladies from the Knitting Club at Canterbury Place Retirement Residence met with All Paws Rescue owner Carol and volunteer. We developed an ongoing partnership where the ladies from the knitting group are knitting blankets for crates & carriers for the kittens.

All Paws Rescue is a non-profit charitable organization fostering animals (but mainly cats/kittens). All Paws Rescue has also supplied our ladies with yarn.

We look forward to this amazing partnership!

Eggs are an excellent source of protein, fat and essential nutrients. We Canadians each eat about 19 dozen eggs per year! That’s a lot of “eggcellent” meals!

This month our Verve Living Loving Local Celebration Meal will consist of a fabulous three course dinner including our Egg Drop Soup, perfect for making in your own kitchen to use up those 19 dozen eggs you’ll eat this year!

Here are some fun egg facts for you to enjoy:

Hen Session:

The average laying hen produces about 305 eggs per year (approximately 25 dozen).
Hens lay on average 1 egg every 26 hours.
Egg production decreases as the hen ages.
The size of the egg is linked to the age of the hen. Younger birds lay smaller eggs.

Colourful Eggs:

The food a hen eats affects the yolk colour of her eggs.
The breed of bird affects the colour of the egg shell.
There is actually a breed of chicken called an “Easter Egger” as it lays eggs that range in color from blue, green, rose or brown to sage, olive or cream!

Want more information on eggs? Check out these great resources:

Egg Farmers of Alberta
Egg Farmers of Ontario
Saskatchewan Egg Producers
BC Egg

Rosemary Graydon, a resident at Hazelton Place Retirement Residence in Toronto, is an accomplished actor in theatre and movies. She loves many forms of art and is inspired by them.

It was the meeting of her second husband that truly inspired the art of true love. While telling her story, Rosemary said “You could read this in a book, you would think what a lot of nonsense, but its actually true.”

Listen to Rosemary’s story and how she met and fell for the “love of her life.”

Canada is synonymous with Maple – just look at our national flag! Often referred to as the first agricultural crop of the year here in Canada, maple syrup is made from the sap of the Sugar, Red and Black Maple trees in late winter and early spring. We are the world’s leading producer of maple syrup and other maple products. Given it takes one person, one hour to tap one hundred maple trees and forty litres of sap to produce one litre of maple syrup, you can see there is a significant amount of labour involved, but a labour of love it is! And we Canadians love our maple as a syrup, sugar, butter, or candy eh?

History

The Algonquin Indians and other First Nations tribes were tapping maples (and other trees, too) for sap long before the Europeans came to North America. They used it to flavour boiled meats and porridge, and as part of a health tonic. While the early settlers learned to make maple syrup, it wasn’t until the 19th century, when metal containers were used to catch and boil the sap, that it became a significant commercial industry.

Maple Syrup Products We Enjoy Today

Maple syrup is graded based on clarity and flavour characteristics. Maple syrup can be found in Golden, Amber, Dark and Very Dark grades*. All grades contain the same amount of sugar (66-67.5%), but generally the darker the syrup the more robust the flavour and nutrient profile.

Maple sugar candy, with its semisoft texture, is made from syrup that’s boiled, cooled, stirred, and poured into moulds.
Maple sugar blocks are more granular than the candy and can be chipped or shaved and added to cereals or beverages.
Granulated maple sugar comes from syrup that is boiled, cooled, stirred, and sifted. It can be substituted one to one for white or brown sugar.
Maple butter (cream or spread) is simply syrup that is cooked and stirred to give it a smooth, creamy, spreadable consistency. There is no dairy in maple butter.
Pure (natural) maple extract is a flavouring made from alcohol and sugar maple tree oils. It adds maple flavour to commercial baked goods, frosting and fudge.

*Maple syrup grades changed in 2017 to harmonize to an international standard.

Canadian Statistics

Canadian producers are responsible for 84 to 85 per cent of world maple syrup production, with the United States responsible for remaining 15 to 16 per cent.
Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are our main maple producing provinces.
Much of the maple syrup we are offered in our grocery stores and that is used commercially comes from Quebec and Vermont.
Only 4% of Ontario’s viable sugar bushes are tapped. Why so little? – processing sap into syrup requires huge amounts of energy and labour, in many cases it is not viable for small family farms to start up new operations.
In 2010 maple syrup exports represented an industry worth over $230 million in revenue, almost all export syrup is produced in Quebec.
USA, Japan and Germany are the biggest purchasers of Canadian maple exports.

Health Benefits

Maple syrup is high in a variety of minerals needed by the body, including magnesium, riboflavin, zinc, manganese, calcium, and potassium.
All in all maple syrup contains 54 antioxidants, and the darker the grade of syrup the more antioxidant activity is present.

Fun Facts

The red maple leaf has been associated as a Canadian symbol as early as the 1700’s. But it did not become an official symbol on our flag until February 15, 1965.
In North America maple sugar was the standard sweetener until 1875 when cane sugar became available globally.
Maple sap contains about 97 per cent water, so it must be boiled to transform it into syrup, which has no more than 34 per cent water.
Only enough sap for 1 to 1.5 litres of syrup from each tree is collected each season (less than one-tenth of the tree’s sap.) Collecting more would rob the tree of the nourishment the sap provides, and damage the tree.
Sap needs frosty nights and warm sunny days in order to flow, so production is usually in February, March and April.
As soon as the weather turns warm enough for buds to form, the sap turns bitter.
To use maple syrup as a white or brown sugar alternative, use a 2/3 maple -to-1 sugar substitution and reduce the quantity of liquid ingredients (water, milk, juice) in the recipe by about 1/4 of a cup.
Maple syrup can also serve as a one-to-one substitute for liquid sweeteners, such as honey, molasses, and corn syrup.

Living Local Local Recipes for March

Download a PDF of all 4 recipes