by Lauren Walker I recently started reading “100 Rules for Living to 100” by Dick Van Dyke. Many older individuals find it difficult to maintain a positive attitude as they age, and yet it is so crucial. I definitely recommend this book! Being Stubbornly Optimistic What gets you out of bed in the morning? “I’ve made it to one hundred, in no small part, because I have stubbornly refused to give in to the bad stuff in life: failures and defeats, personal losses, loneliness and

by Tina Y. Gerber – McCurley The average age for one experiencing dementia is not a single number because its prevalence increases significantly with age, particularly after 65. Dementia is not a typical part of aging, but age is the biggest risk factor. Dementia includes difficulty with familiar tasks, problems with language, disorientation with time and place, poor judgement, withdrawal from social activities and planning or problem solving. Communication difficulties can b

By Lauren Walker Most of my clients are over 65. What do you think their biggest challenge is? The fear of falling is very real, but I’ve learned over the years the fear isn’t the fall itself. The fear is not being able to get back up. Let me share with you how I help my clients. Facing the Fear I’ve worked with this client for several years, and one of her biggest fears is not being able to get up after a fall. My client was very anxious about it, I admit, but I told her to

by Tina Y. Gerber – McCurley Life doesn't come without it's various pains, struggles or hardships, but God promised to give you strength to get through them. Fear attempts, in it's way, to keep us frozen in pain. The more we struggle the deeper we sink. These feelings can paralyze us, however, if you call on the Lord, He will save you. We need to do more than eat healthy food, take vitamins, exercise, and rest to feel your best. Who has time for everything … stop spreading yo

KIM COULTER Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES: HTM Insurance Agents care about what you care about. Among their core corporate values, they commit to making a difference in their communities. Today, that commitment was put into action when Lindsay’s HTM Agents Amanda Hartin, Cam Atkinson and Christine Schiarizza presented a $1,000 donation to Erin Coons, RMH Foundation CEO. The gift supports the Foundation’s $25 million WE ARE THE ROSS capital campaign, which

by Susan Merriman Emmanuel Community Church, led by its Biker’s Church ministry, is once again calling on the community for support, as it reaches the halfway point of its annual Bundles of Blessings campaign. The initiative provides essential items to homeless individuals, in the Port Perry and Peterborough areas, during the cold winter months. Community members are encouraged to assemble a Blessing Bag—a backpack, duffel bag, or purse—filled with practical items, such as: w

KIM COULTER Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES: Whether you’ve lived here all your life or you are new to Kawartha Lakes, what matters most, for you and your family, is knowing the highest quality care is available nearby. That is the message Jeff Todd is sharing this holiday season, through the RMH Foundation holiday appeal letters, being delivered to households across Kawartha Lakes. Having grown up here, moved away for 20 years, and returned to raise his fa

KAWARTHA LAKES: On September 12th, Caressant Care on Mary Street, the long-term care home in Lindsay, proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary, a milestone half a century in the making. Since its early days, this home has become a cornerstone of care in the Kawartha Lakes, providing comfort, dignity, and community to generations of residents. Founded as part of Caressant Care Nursing & Retirement Homes Ltd., the broader organization traces its roots to 1975, when its first lo

by Tina Y. Gerber – McCurley I know from experience, exercise is very effective and beneficial for most seniors. I anticipate a right knee replacement in the new year. I am looking to further improve my strength, balance, and flexibility, as well as my mental and emotional well-being. As we age, we see physical changes that can negatively affect muscles and bone strength, as well as other bodily systems. Moderate physical activity does benefit your overall health. It’s import

by Lauren Walker Have aches and pains beyond normal? Do you find it hard to sleep? Maybe you have stomach pain and have trouble going to the bathroom. No, you’re not facing some life-altering health issue, but there is something going on. What is it? STRESS. People tend to search for physical reasons for why these physical symptoms are occurring. At the top of my list of causes, stress is number one. It has such a distinct effect on both your physical and mental well-being, y

by Tina Y. Gerber – McCurley Sometimes, we beg God, or say, “Why, why me!? Why are things falling apart,” or “Why is this happening? It’s just not fair!” I have no answer to these questions, except, we are here to learn and live a full rich life. For peace at heart, we need to affirm our confidence in Gods power and His ability to overcome any obstacle.   In His paramount wisdom, I understand, the Holy Spirit shows up where there is surrender, obedience, and a cry for genuin

KATIE HUNTER The Standard DURHAM: Tyrone Tackles Hunger is a grassroots approach our family, (the Bell’s), initiated back in 2020. Now running its sixth annual food drive campaign benefiting the Bowmanville Salvation Army Food Bank, running from November 1st until December 6th, 2025. It’s based out of Tyrone but support is also rallied across our northern communities of Haydon, Enniskillen, Burketon, Hampton and places in between! We have a ‘reindeer mascot’ who we grow our

by Lauren Walker A frustrating part of aging for my clients is their short-term memory. While their body are in good condition, it becomes a struggle to remember basic things. It’s quite frankly, a downer for a lot of my older clients. While age-related memory loss is normal, what can I do as a personal trainer to help? The Benefits of Exercise Increases blood flow to the Brain by improving circulation Releases hormones that lower inflammation and insulin resistance, protecti

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A new era of public health collaboration is taking shape, across the region, as Lakelands Public Health introduced its brand, vision, and 2026 budget plan, during a presentation to City of Kawartha Lakes council, on Tuesday, October 21st. Led by, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Dr. Thomas Piggott, the newly formed organization brings together the former Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge, an

KIM COULTER RMH Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES: Since 2002, the Dragon Flies Breast Cancer Survivor Group has been strengthening its sisterhood of support and enhancing the ways in which it assists women and men, following a breast cancer diagnosis. These include: wellness and exercise activities, access to resources, dragon boating, and events featuring special guest speakers. The Dragon Flies annual Diva Night event, on October 23rd, featured a local Radiologist, whose job as

by Dana Bachman FENELON FALLS: On Saturday, October 18th, the Fenelon Falls Grannies for Grannies held a fundraising event at the United Church. Guests were invited to share childhood memories of a favourite doll, a favourite toy. The memories came flooding out. There were sad stories, there were funny stories. Gail Cotterell shared a hilarious story from when she was a young kindergarten teacher. She had been to the gym and when she arrived at her kindergarten classroom, sh

by Shawn Lackie On Wednesday October 15th, the 100 Men of Scugog met for the fourth and final time in 2025. The Port Perry Legion hosted the members, including nine new additions. Three brief presentations were made and the vote was cast. The Winner for this time around was the Oak Ridges Hospice of Durham. Executive Director Christine Vos made a strong presentation and accepted a donation of almost $6,000. That donation will go towards the Hospice being able to upgrade their

by Lauren Walker Since Autumn is upon us, I thought it pertinent to talk about Fall. The leaves are falling and it got me thinking about Fall prevention! My clients have a varying range of mobility issues and a very realistic concern is falling. Fear of Falling Life is unpredictable, so its important to mention, I cannot necessarily prevent people from falling. Sometimes it just happens! Even those who do not have mobility issues can find themselves in these moments. The good

by Tina Y. Gerber - McCurley It's certainly been a challenging year for us. We both look forward to a fresh start with hope and anticipation. As believers, we focus our eyes on Jesus and his wonderful ways of coming through. Many see an older person as broken, as if somehow, they need to be fixed. I will admit, our bodies do change and so they suffer. Their parts no longer work like they once did. Most seniors begin to seem to disappear into the background, and this is a grow

KAWARTHA LAKES: On Thursday, September 25th the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs (OAPC) awarded 130 paramedics the Governor General’s Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal.These paramedics come from 37 of the province’s 57 paramedic services. Local Kawartha Lakes Paramedic, Darrell Whibbs, was one of those recipients. “Paramedics in Ontario demonstrate, every day, the caring and compassion they have for their communities. It’s an honour to recognize these