Every time the women slip their kayaks into the Ottawa River, someone invariably shouts “Blue zone!”.
It’s a throw-back to a documentary these middle-age moms binge-watched last fall. Sparked by a National Geographic explorer’s journalistic quest to understand why people in Okinawa, Japan — and other so-calledblue zones — live longer and healthier than any other place on earth, these women are taking the theory’s grounding principles to heart.
“What they found is that people in Okinawa have more seniors living to be 100 than typical towns and cities do,” explains Lisa. “And there are some core traits or characteristics of the way people live in this area that fuels longevity. We’re looking ahead at the second half of our lives and saying we want that, too.”
These friends actively embrace the lifestyle factors highlighted at the core of the research. With their own spin on healthy diets, physical activity (whether kayaking or tackling twice-weekly work-out classes together) and keeping their minds sharp (think book clubs that offer social connections and meaningful conversations), the women — aged 42 to 55 — are creating their own version of a blue zone in a lakeside neighbourhood at the edge of Eastern Ontario.
This ad-hoc approach is laying the groundwork for what each hopes will be a flourishing path towards the golden years. It’s the very same theory that formed the basis of TheKey’s Balanced Care MethodTM more than 20 years ago.
A balanced approach to providing Ontario seniors with personalized, at-home care
As a leading in-home, senior care provider in Toronto, TheKey’s team built its reputation by adopting a proprietary, holistic strategy for living and aging well at home. First and foremost, the Balanced Care Method is centred around moderation and variety. And it’s working.
Here in Ontario, some 85% of TheKey Toronto’s families say their peace of mind has significantly improved since initiating in-home care. A further 70% of TheKey’s clients say they’re enjoying their home life significantly more than in the past.
“Caregiving is more than taking care of the basics. Of course, tasks like delivering medication or helping with personal hygiene are important for seniors. But that alone isn’t enough to foster longevity in any meaningful way,” says Timon Page, TheKey Toronto. “When our caregivers connect with clients and find ways to bring meaning to their day, all kinds of benefits can follow.”
Whether taking a walk through High Park to recapture the spirit of family outings, or sitting down to a round of cards on the front porch: TheKey’s caregiving teams help clients pursue interests, keep busy, eat healthy, enjoy companionship and find a sense of purpose.
That last element is particularly important. Studies suggest that a higher sense of purpose in life is associated with a lower risk of early death. In Canada, more than eight in 10 people who report high life satisfaction also reported a strong sense of meaning.
Timon is buoyed by those numbers, and happy TheKey’s caregiving teams can support that trend among Toronto seniors. “In Okinawa and other spots around the globe, people that incorporate these factors into daily life really are living longer. By training our people continuously on the Balanced Care Method, our caregivers help Ontario seniors capture those upsides and live well at home.”
Considering in-home dementia care or have questions about the types of support we offer? Our specialists are here to help determine the best plan to meet your parent’s or loved one’s needs. Contact TheKey today to get started.