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Soak up the Sun: How Nature, Friendship, and Laughter Enhance Wellness

What is it about sunshine that can turn a blah day into something special? Feeling its warmth encourages us to go outdoors and sparks us to remember the simple joys in life. The great news is it’s not just about having a healthy glow; sunshine is good for our well-being in many ways. No wonder it’s called Vitamin Sun, it helps our body produce vitamin D, which supports our immune system and our bone health along with helping keep our muscles and brain cells working. Catch 15-20 minutes of early or late day sun for a noticeable impact on both physical and emotional well-being.

“The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy.” – Preacher, Henry Ward Beecher

Maybe it’s beyond science but sunshine feels like an invitation to live fully. Getting outside where life happens, catching up on a walk, meeting up on the golf course, around garden beds, on a patio or on a park bench beside the water all contribute to our wellbeing. If we were to try to describe freedom that might be it, especially in Canada, where warm and sunny days are precious. We feel vibrant and more present somehow, whether we’re digging in the soil or parked in a chair watching birds flitting through the trees. We’re engaged in a kind of connection that’s good for our body, mind and spirit. Mix in a dose of laughter, which I think of as a tonic, and you’ve found an easy recipe for joy: one that contributes to longevity as well as diminishing both stress and cognitive decline.

“There is peace even in the storm when you listen to the birds.” – Unknown

It may be a function of aging and if it is, thank you because I love to listen to and observe birds. Watching them reminds me to listen more to my intuition because they certainly do. I love the dance hummingbirds perform at our feeder when two of them show up at the same time. Sometimes one leaves and on occasion they give me a gift and both perch to feed together. Listening to birds singing lets me know that all is well. When they’re quiet you can be sure something’s up like a weather event is moving in. They know everything before we do, and they respond without second guessing themselves. I recently read something so fascinating about birds: their song first thing in the morning, wakes up the flowers so they can start to open for the day. Certainly, listening to birds singing is good medicine as it is said to reduce anxiety and foster a feeling of calm. Maybe that’s beyond science too but I love it.

“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” – conservationist, Rachel Carson

Spending time in the great outdoors is an investment in ourselves, whether we join a gardening club, walk with a group or savour a glass of iced tea on the porch, we’re connected to something larger than ourselves. Nature and the company of other people keep us grounded, calm and fill us with energy and purpose.

This summer, you’re invited to soak up the sunshine, breathe in fresh air, laugh often and spend time with others. Whether you’re planting seeds in the garden or sharing stories with friends and family under a summer sky, you’re not only making memories to cherish, but you’re also nourishing yourself in every way that matters. No matter what age, our best years are the ones lived with intention and connection with nature and other people.

in Healthy Aging Posted by Kathie Donovan

🤝 Supporting Senior Independence: Why Choice Matters

As we age, maintaining the ability to make our own choices becomes one of the most important factors in living well. Choice is not just about freedom—it’s deeply connected to confidence, dignity, and a sense of purpose. When seniors are allowed to decide how they want to live their daily lives, they feel empowered and respected. This sense of control helps prevent feelings of helplessness and isolation, which can often accompany aging.

Independence grows from these choices. When seniors can manage their own routines, activities, and social connections, they build self-confidence and remain engaged in their communities. On the other hand, taking away that ability—even with good intentions—can unintentionally reduce their motivation, confidence and well-being. Our experience shows once someone loses confidence in their ability to make decisions, it takes a very long time to recover from it and when they make one mistake they fall back into not trusting themselves and the cycle often repeats itself. 

Families and caregivers play a vital role in supporting this independence by encouraging seniors to express their preferences and by respecting their decisions. It’s about partnership, not control. Together, we can help our seniors live with dignity, joy, and strength with their independence for as long as possible. 

🤝 A Gentle Guide for Families & Caregivers: Supporting Senior Independence

  1. Ask First, Then Support
    Always begin by asking your loved one what they want or need. For example, instead of deciding to cancel a planned outing, ask if they still want to go and how you can assist. This simple act respects their voice and empowers them to stay involved in their own life choices.
  2. Respect Their Experience
    Seniors have decades of life experience and wisdom that shape their decisions. For instance, an older adult may prefer preparing their own meals because they know their tastes and dietary needs best. Honouring this respects their knowledge and autonomy.
  3. Encourage, Don’t Control
    Offer help only when needed, and avoid taking over activities they are still capable of doing. For example, if a senior wants to do their own gardening, encourage them and assist with heavier tasks instead of doing everything for them.
  4. Trust Their Abilities
    Don’t underestimate what they can do because of their age. A senior who has safely ridden a bike for years might still enjoy it. Trusting their ability to assess their own limits shows confidence in their independence.
  5. Stay Patient and Listen
    Sometimes what seniors need most is to be heard without interruption. If they want to share memories or express concerns, listen attentively without rushing to offer solutions.
  6. Celebrate Their Independence
    Recognize and praise their efforts to maintain their routines and passions. Complimenting someone for continuing to paint or attend community events reinforces their confidence and motivation.
  7. Focus on Safety With Respect
    Discuss any safety concerns openly and involve them in problem-solving. For example, instead of forbidding them to drive, explore options like driving at safer times or using alternative transportation together. 
  8. Remember: Dignity Comes From Choice
    Allowing seniors to make their own decisions, even small ones, preserves their dignity. Whether it’s choosing what to wear or deciding when to socialize, these choices affirm their identity and self-worth.

As time goes on, there may come a moment when your loved one needs more help with things like technology, banking, health appointments, or getting around. When this happens, it’s important to always ask their permission before stepping in to assist. This simple act of respect helps keep some control and decision-making power in their hands. Feeling in control of their own life, even when receiving help, supports their confidence and well-being as they continue the journey of aging.

Recommended Canadian Resource

For families and caregivers seeking more guidance, The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (canadiancaregiving.org) offers excellent resources on supporting seniors with respect, autonomy, and practical advice on caregiving. Their materials emphasize dignity and partnership in care — a great complement to this guide.

Supporting seniors means valuing their independence as much as their safety. It’s a balance that enriches their lives—and ours.

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible men in our lives who are fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures.

Today, we honour your strength, love, guidance, and quiet sacrifices. 

Thank you for all you do — and for being someone we can always count on.

Wishing you a day filled with appreciation, love, and a little well-deserved relaxation. 

— From all of us at the Wellings

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

The Joy of Outdoor Strolls

There’s something magical about summer in Canada. The gentle breeze, the warmth of the sun, and the vibrant greens invite us outdoors—not just to stretch our legs, but to reconnect with nature and ourselves. For adults 60 plus, one of the most accessible and beneficial summer activities is the simple act of walking.

Why walking?

Walking offers low-impact cardiovascular benefits, helps maintain joint flexibility, and supports mental clarity. It also promotes social connection when done with a friend or walking group—something we know is key to healthy aging.

Where to go:

  • Community Trails: Most towns and cities across Canada feature well-maintained paths that wind through parks, waterfronts, or wooded areas.

  • Botanical Gardens: Places like the Montreal Botanical Garden or Toronto’s Edwards Gardens are beautiful and often shaded.

  • National Parks: Seniors receive discounts on Parks Canada passes, making it easier to enjoy gems like Fundy, Banff, or Kejimkujik.

Pro tips:

  • Walk during early morning or early evening to avoid peak heat.

  • Wear supportive shoes, a sun hat, and bring a refillable water bottle.

  • Don’t rush—pause to observe the birds, flowers, and shifting sky. Mindful walking turns exercise into meditation.

Let this be the summer you fall in love with nature all over again.

Garden Therapy

Gardening is more than just planting flowers or veggies—it’s an act of self-care, a way to stay grounded, and a beautiful method of nurturing both your environment and your spirit.

The health benefits:
Gardening encourages gentle movement, builds hand strength, and improves flexibility. It’s also been shown to lower stress levels and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, particularly when tending to plants becomes a mindful, daily ritual.

Easy garden projects for summer:

  • Herb Gardens: Start small with containers of basil, mint, and chives. They’re easy to grow and wonderful in fresh summer dishes.

  • Pollinator Gardens: Support local bees and butterflies with native blooms like echinacea, black-eyed Susans, and milkweed.

  • Vegetable Beds: Raised beds or large pots are perfect for tomatoes, lettuce, or peas—and there’s joy in harvesting your own food.

No yard? No problem.
Balcony gardens and indoor container gardening offer similar benefits. A few pots and a sunny window can turn any space into a green haven.

Safety tips:

  • Use kneelers or garden stools to avoid back strain.

  • Stay hydrated and protect your skin with SPF and light layers.

  • Don’t overdo it—garden for joy, not for perfection.

Gardening reminds us that growth is always possible, no matter the season of life.

in Health and Fitness Posted by My Wellings

Timeless Treasures: Celebrating the Influence of the Wisdom Generation

It is true that wisdom comes with experience but so does resilience, courage, great stories and cautionary tales to tell. We tend to focus on what we’re losing as we age but in truth we will gain so much more when we appreciate aging as a privilege instead of a curse.

You’ll often read that getting older is like entering the winter of our lives, but I respectfully disagree. It’s more like summer really: we’ve navigated many of life’s challenges, we’ve rewired and reinvented ourselves to arrive at a place where we’re reflowering in the garden. In this season, we require less weeding although we may want more support for our stems and other parts. We’ve lived in our bodies for decades, so it stands to reason that it’s our time to receive whatever assistance we need. Strong people can be very proud but asking for and being willing to receive support is a great gift to give those who want to help.

“Senior citizens: the true treasures of our society, whose value only appreciates with time.” – Unknown

June is seniors’ month; it’s an opportunity to celebrate the people who make up the foundation of our families, our communities and our society. It’s a chance to recognize the contributions our elders continue to make, as they pave the way forward for all of us.  In celebrating our seniors, we’re fostering deeper bonds in our circle, we’re helping to address the issue of loneliness and we’re inspiring young people to respect and appreciate the experiences their ancestors navigated to create the world we live in.

With the shift from intergenerational living to more urbanization, busy lifestyles and independent living, our connection with our elders can be weakened. Being helpful and supportive of our parents, our older friends and relations is a privilege, and it can be a very meaningful experience when we’re mindful of how important all parties are in this interdependent relationship. Let’s ensure that we’re mindful to meet our seniors where they are, being compassionate and respectful. Sometimes it’s us who need to slow down instead of insisting that they keep up. Our goal should be to lift others up when we’re together, so that when we leave, they know they’ve been seen, heard and appreciated. Don’t we all want to feel valued this way?

Here are a few tips to get the conversation going. Ask how their week is and listen to what they tell you, reminisce with them about the good old days, ask questions about the highlights and even the lowlights of their life. There’s so much value in the life lessons gained through lived experience and we can all benefit from slowing down and being a good listener.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cherishing the hard-won qualities we possess as seniors, the ones that make our lives meaningful: our values, the compassion we feel for others and the courage we draw on to support us as we navigate, all help guide us through the labyrinth, that is life in the latter years. Our inner character matters most when we’re challenged; we can call upon the resilience we have stored away to help make life’s trials less daunting. We hear a lot from our Wellings members about how the feeling of being part of a community helps them feel cared for and gives them an opportunity to care for others. We see kindness in all forms blossoming in our communities and that’s certainly something we love to celebrate.

“One of the great things about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.”  -Author, Madeleine L’Engle

Are there clothes in your closet that you keep for special occasions? Special dishware, crystal and silverware that you break out for holidays? Every day in this chapter of our life is a celebration, so bring out the good stuff, get dressed up if it makes you feel good. Savour the feeling that you’re well worth making a fuss over.

Important message: we are the sum of all the lessons we’ve learned in life rather than the sum of our experience.

I think it’s a fabulous gift when seniors live their lives fully, sharing their wisdom, life lessons and favourite memories. What do you think about a personal memoir? Your story has dips and twists, highs, lows and probably more than a few funny moments that your friends and family would enjoy hearing about. Don’t let the idea overwhelm you, just take some small action like choosing a few areas you’d like to focus on, using those subjects as prompts and begin. I might suggest focusing on one topic at a time and please don’t rush. This is supposed to be fun. It could be written down in a journal or done interview style with a friend or family member asking questions. How about recording a video to share with friends and family? However you choose to share your story, I know you’ll be happy you did.

How about organizing a luncheon, an afternoon tea or a cocktail hour to celebrate a senior, (it could be yourself). Highlight their achievements or allow them to share their favourite memories and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Try something unexpected. Take a dance class, sign up for a language class or book yourself a massage. Someone recently shared with me that she’s enrolled in a beginner ballet class at almost seventy years of age. Now that’s celebrating life.

Plan regular fun days with friends or family, so you always have something on the calendar to look forward to. It could be a lunch or coffee date, a movie, a visit to the gallery, a play or a spa day. Sharing these fun events with others makes it a special day for everyone.

Write an appreciation letter to yourself, acknowledging all that you’ve accomplished in your life. I like to use the analogy of standing on your mountain and looking back at how far you’ve come. You could also write a letter of appreciation for another senior, letting them know how much you admire who they are as a person. It doesn’t take much to turn someone’s day around with a few kind words.

I love the idea of a memory jar filled with messages collected from friends and family as a meaningful keepsake to treasure.

“Age is an attitude.” – Anonymous

It is true that how we perceive aging can impact our mindset and our daily life. Let’s maintain a vibrant outlook to help shape our experience and influence our friends, family and our community. Let’s keep celebration top of mind as we go through our day, looking for joy and new experiences to give us hope and to remind us of what Frank Sinatra said: “the best is yet to come.”

in Healthy Aging Posted by Kathie Donovan

How Do You Know When It’s Time to Move to the Wellings?

At some point in our lives, we all face transitions that ask for more than just logic—they ask for heart. And one of the biggest questions we hear from people in their late 60s or early 70s is this:

“How do I know when I’m ready to move into the Wellings?”

It’s a powerful question, because it’s not just about real estate. It’s about identity, freedom, and creating a better rhythm for this next chapter of life.

You Don’t Have to Wait Until You Need To

Many of our members tell us the same thing once they’ve settled in:

 “I wish I’d done this sooner.”

Why? 

Because they made the move while they still had the energy to enjoy the process. They packed on their terms. They said goodbye to their old home with a full heart—not one weighed down by stress or urgency. They stepped into their new lifestyle with excitement, not exhaustion.

Think of it this way: the best time to make a change is before you feel forced to. Not when you’ve been worn down by three months of planning, selling, sorting, and saying goodbye in a rush. Not when the house has become too much, and you’re bringing all that overwhelm with you.

It’s hard to start something new when you’re running on empty.

Are You Feeling More Drained Than Uplifted by Your Home?

Your home may have been the center of your world for decades. A place of family dinners, holidays, laughter, and life. But sometimes—quietly, slowly—it shifts from being a source of comfort to a source of stress.

Is it harder to keep up with the maintenance?

Do you avoid certain stairs or rooms because they just feel like too much?

Are you spending more time managing your house than enjoying it?

These can be the subtle signs. 

The whispers.

Moving Doesn’t Mean You’re Giving Up

Sometimes there’s a fear: If I leave my home, am I giving up a part of who I am?

The truth is, moving into the Wellings isn’t about loss. It’s about choosing to live lighter, freer, and more connected.

You’re not downsizing your life. You’re expanding your possibilities.

At the Wellings, your days are your own. You can lock the door and go visit the grandkids for a week without worrying about the lawn. You can try something new—a fitness class, a dinner with new friends, a quiet moment by the fire—without having to plan around chores or house upkeep.

Make the Move Before the Move Makes You

Here’s the most important thing: You want to walk into this next chapter with strength, not strain. With clarity, not chaos.

When you have the energy, the time, and the presence of mind to make the move well, it becomes something beautiful. You arrive open—not carrying the burden of burnout.

So if you’re asking the question, that’s already a sign. You’re listening to the small, wise voice that says:

Maybe now is the time to let go of what no longer fits, so I can embrace what comes next.

When you’re ready, we’re here.

And if you want to talk it through, we’ll sit with you—no pressure, just conversation.

Because your next chapter should feel like coming home.

And maybe, just maybe, that home is here.

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

Time to Get Moving 🚶‍♀️🕺

There’s something magical that happens when we get our bodies in motion.

A walk around the block. A little stretch in the sunroom. Dancing while the kettle boils. Movement doesn’t have to be a marathon—it can be a moment.

And those moments add up.

They wake us up. They lift our spirits. They spark joy. They remind us we’re alive.

At Wellings, movement isn’t about exercise for the sake of it. It’s about celebrating what our bodies can do. It’s about keeping the joints oiled, the blood flowing, the smiles wide.

So whether it’s a stroll with a neighbor, a stretch before breakfast, or a little cha-cha in your kitchen—go ahead. Move a little. Laugh a little. Feel good in your own skin.

This is your time. And it’s time to get moving. 

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

Let Them Win 💛

It’s not always easy.

We want to help. 

We want to guide. 

Sometimes, we want to set the record straight.

But as the years go by, we learn something deeper:

Not every moment needs to be corrected.

Not every detail needs to be clarified.

Sometimes, love means letting go of being right.

Letting someone finish their story—mistakes and all.

Letting a moment pass without jumping in.

Because the real win isn’t in being right.

It’s in keeping the peace. 

Holding space. 

Choosing connection.

So let them win.

You’ll both be better for it.

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

The Gift of Slowing Down 🌿

As children of aging parents, we often fill our calendars with things to do. Appointments, errands, weekend plans, home projects, and helpful check-ins—our hearts are in the right place, always moving, always doing.

But maybe what’s really needed … is the opposite.

Slowing down.

Not out of obligation, but out of love. Out of presence.

Sometimes the most meaningful moments aren’t found in the big gestures, but in the quiet ones: 

Sitting together in the afternoon sun. 

Sharing stories from yesterday—or decades ago. 

Breathing in the same room, without needing to fill every silence.

These small still moments are where connection lives. Where love speaks the loudest.

So let’s make space—not just for what’s next, but for what’s now. Let’s sit. Let’s talk. Let’s be.

Because often, that’s all our parents really want is us.

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

Blooming with Age: How Digging in the Dirt Enhances Health and Happiness

If you’re a gardener, then you’re a special type of person. Gardeners have full faith in the potential of things they cannot see. They take a certain pride in their collaboration with Mother Nature from the tiniest win to the most glorious, showstopping outcome. They have patience, at least in the garden. LOL. They love getting their hands in the dirt and enjoy sharing the experience with other gardeners. Their conversations can seem entirely uninteresting to non-gardeners and they’re okay with it. They share plants, seeds, knowledge, and offer advice and wisdom learned from their gardens. Because it’s the most popular hobby for older adults, it’s easy to connect with people who share a love for this magical, somewhat mystical pursuit.

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”  – Actor, Audrey Hepburn

I will confess that I started out in my early twenties as a naïve gardener. Living in the country, I planted a full vegetable garden that I thought I would take care of myself, until milkweed took over and I quickly lost interest. I obviously had no clue what I was doing. At the time, gardening was a great analogy for my life; I had a lot of weeds taking over there too. I’ve learned over the years that my interest in gardening is in taking care of plants that for the most part, take care of themselves. Our perennial garden suits this reluctant gardener perfectly.

“Take a look at the plants. They come together and thrive peacefully in the garden or park. They lean on each other without trying to outdo one another. They serve as a sign that we can see beyond our differences and embrace each other in love while allowing our uniqueness to add colour to our world.

If plants can live in harmony and show their beauty to the world, we as humans can do much more.”

– Author, Kemi Sogunie

Right around the first Monday after Christmas, I start counting Mondays until Spring. I learned this from a tv studio director I worked with who was an avid golfer. He counted Mondays until he could swing a golf club, and I count them because it gives me hope that the sleepy little treasures under the soil will start to rally again in the warmth of Springtime. I know plenty of gardeners and golfers who celebrate the countdown with me.

Dan Buettner, an American longevity researcher found that people who live in what are known as Blue Zones around the world tended to live longer. His research showed that there is a higher concentration of centenarians living in the areas of Okinawa Japan, Sardinia Italy, Nicoya Costa Rica, Loma Linda California, and Ikaria Greece. It turns out that gardening plays a key role in supporting both well-being and longevity in the Blue Zones. What we can learn from these “wise agers” is that daily physical activity, which includes gardening, encourages flexibility, endurance and strength without ever visiting the gym. Gardeners will often tell you that it’s their therapy because being present with the plants and the soil not only promotes mindfulness, but it also lowers stress and reduces anxiety. Tending a garden, feeds both passion, which gives us energy, and purpose, which gives our life meaning.

“When gardeners garden, it’s not just the plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves.” -Author, Ken Druse

When gardening is a shared experience, in a community garden for example, we develop social connection through our shared interest, which helps create a sense of belonging, something we need, especially as we get older. Getting our hands into the soil connects us with bacteria that can produce the happy hormone serotonin in the brain, enhancing our mood and helping us to feel more relaxed. We boost our immune system too by introducing different microorganisms into the body and getting our hands in the earth is good for our skin. I should mention that we can plant a container of herbs on our windowsill and call ourselves a gardener. This should be fun, and it doesn’t have to be fancy or overly ambitious. Whether we’re vegetable gardening for delicious results or growing flowers for joy snacks, any type of gardening yields the satisfaction of knowing that we’ve created something with our hands.

 “Life is a garden. It is an opportunity. You can grow weeds; you can grow roses. It all depends on you.” -Philosopher Rajneesh

Can we talk about weeds for a minute? They’re just wild plants, right? But because our flowers and vegetables are the main characters in the garden, we weed to give space to what we want to keep and discard what isn’t aligned with our goal, which is to produce beautiful flowers or vegetables. My pal Natalie mentioned that weeding is a great analogy for life, and I got giddy at the idea because it’s a powerful metaphor. Why would we hold on to relationships that aren’t aligned with our goals in life? Why don’t we weed out or edit out people and situations that drain rather than fuel us toward our goals?

Gardening is a brilliant endeavour with a lot to teach. You could say it’s a holistic approach to living, encompassing not only physical exercise but also relaxing our thinking mind, as we enjoy all the benefits of nature while connecting with others. It’s good for our self-esteem, our memory as well as our sense of purpose and community. It’s a powerful prescription for wellness with plenty of benefits and no negative side effects.

in Carefreedom Living®, Healthy Aging Posted by Kathie Donovan

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