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Staying active and socially engaged in every stage of our lives is important, especially true as we age. Senior recreation is more than just participating in activities for enjoyment; by attending organized Healthy Living Programs offered at OSCR, our clients can improve their overall quality of life. OSCR’s programs aim to help maintain the physical, social, and cognitive well-being of our clients by engaging in meaningful recreation. Physical Benefits Our HLP staff are experts at keeping seniors active! From programs like bean bag toss, group walks to the lake, and table bowling, there are a variety of physical activities to choose from. Lifemark also provides regularly scheduled on-site group exercise classes to help seniors stay motivated and engaged. Maintaining physical fitness is important for all older adults, and exercise is the best way to improve both strength & mobility; it is also the best way to reduce the risk of falls. Social Benefits OSCR’s Healthy Living Programs provide many opportunities for meeting new friends. From the time you move in, you are invited to come to our Newcomer’s group, where you will meet fellow clients who have also recently moved here. The many recreational activities offered by the HLP department allow you to get to know your peers who share similar interests. Participating in the social programs such as tea & chat, bingo, and the knitting group fosters connections amongst our clients, and creates a tight-knit community here at OSCR. Cognitive Benefits Our Healthy Living Programs engage seniors in meaningful activities that can keep our clients’ minds sharp. Crafts, puzzles, and trivia games are some of the programs offered at OSCR. These recreational activities can improve memory and problem-solving skills, which boosts mental agility and cognitive skills. If you’re looking for fun Healthy Living Programs which allow you to live your life to the fullest, OSCR has plenty to choose from to keep you active and engaged!

This month we are featuring Joan, who is a long-time OSCR client; she has been a resident here for 17 years. Joan fondly remembers it was her good friends who encouraged her to apply to OSCR. Karen, our Property Manager, was the first staff member Joan met all those years ago. Joan was born in Toronto and continued to live there after she married her husband, Douglas. He worked for the TTC, and Joan was a travel agent. She loved her career, and it took her to many places around the world. Joan’s favourite destination was Australia- she has wonderful memories from her trip Down Under. Joan was an only child; she has fond memories of crafting with her mother, a hobby that she carried into her adult years. Joan and her husband enjoyed playing many rounds of golf together. Joan has served on the OSCR Seniors Association for 12 years; we value her dedication and efforts over the years. When asked what she loves best about living here, Joan said “OSCR feels like home”. We are grateful Joan chose OSCR when she was making the move to senior living and we are lucky to have Joan residing with us!

Winter in Canada is a beautiful season, but the cold, snowy days can sometimes take their toll on our mood. While the holidays bring warmth and togetherness, the days that follow can bring a seasonal melancholy along with the snow. There are many ways to bring a spring back into your step as we look forward to sunnier, warmer days. Let the Light Shine In Open your curtains to let the natural light fill your space. Bundle up to venture outdoors. Try to get some natural sunlight each day; the fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for your mood. Alternatively, you can turn on more lights inside to mimic the sun; opt for warm toned bulbs to create a cozy feeling. Get Moving A little bit of physical activity each day can boost your mood. Take part in the Healthy Living Programs exercise classes or do some gentle movement; any activity that slightly increases your heart rate can positively affect your outlook. Stay Socially Engaged While you may want to hibernate during the dull winter months, keeping connected to your friends and family will help keep the blues away. Schedule regular telephone calls with your loved ones or participate in HLP social activities. Maintain a Healthy Diet While the chilly days may have you craving warm comfort foods, these meals tend to be higher in fat and sugars. Eating a balanced diet that is nutritious helps to boost your immune system and increase your energy, which helps to keep the blues at bay. There’s no harm in the occasional treat- just make sure you’re eating lots of fruits and vegetables to get your essential vitamins and nutrients. Try to implement some of these tips into your daily life to help keep the winter blues away; spring is just around the corner!

Enjoy our January Edition!

The OSCR community recently gathered for our annual holiday celebration. Clients, their guests, and staff came together for an evening of festive fun. This holiday event always delights both young and young at heart. The festivities got underway with the beautiful sounds of carols played on the violin by Xinru, one of OSCR’s wonderful volunteers. Clients and their guests mingled in the dining room as they enjoyed warm apple cider, hot chocolate, and a variety of sweet treats while they awaited the musical performance. Before the show, everyone enjoyed getting their pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, as OSCR was on the nice list once again. After they had taken photos with attendees, the duo headed back to the North Pole to prepare for Christmas Eve. At 7pm, the Fiddlestix began to perform a variety of songs, much to the delight of the audience. The mood was joyous, and the feelings were festive, with the warm glow of the Christmas tree lights twinkling as the band played. The Healthy Living Programs department outdid themselves once again by organizing and executing a fun & festive celebration. We are already looking forward to next year's event! As the year comes to an end, we are full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve our clients. The greatest gift is the privilege of serving them each day, and the time we spend together. Happy Holidays from all of us at OSCR & best wishes for a Happy New Year! 

Whether you gather to celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, or Kwanzaa, the month of December marks the festive season. While the traditions associated with each of the holidays are unique, they all share common themes- the importance of community and a spirit of giving. The holiday season is a time which focuses on the importance of gathering together for joyous celebrations that make this time of year so special for many different faiths and cultures.  Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday with religious origins, commemorating the birth of Jesus on December 25 th . People hang lights on their homes, decorate Christmas trees, and gather together with family and friends. Christmas carols are sung to spread cheer, gifts are exchanged to express gratitude, and seasonal treats such as gingerbread are enjoyed. Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, which is celebrated by lighting a menorah over eight nights, while prayers and blessings are read. People play dreidel, a spinning top game with chocolate coins. Fried foods are enjoyed, such as potato latkes, to honour the miracle oil that burned for eight days. Hanukkah celebrates light over darkness and is a time of joy and togetherness. Kwanzaa is a celebration of African culture, heritage, and values. This holiday involves lighting a kinara with candles each evening to represent the seven principals. Homes are decorated with colourful fabrics and symbols of African culture. People gather with friends and family to dance, drum, and share a traditional meal called the Karamu, which celebrates family and community. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about what makes each of these holiday celebrations unique, as well as the common themes they share. Whether you’re trimming a tree, lighting a menorah, or gathering for the Karamu feast, may your holiday season be filled with joy and peace. Happy Holidays from OSCR!

Enjoy our December Edition!

The 1990s was a decade marked by significant global, technological, and pop culture changes. Read on to take a walk down memory lane! A Decade of War, Peace & International Trade Many significant world events occurred in the nineties. This decade saw the fall of the Soviet Union, which ended the Cold War. The Apartheid ended in South Africa. While peace was seen in many parts of the globe, genocides were happening in Rwanda and Serbia; the Gulf War was being fought in the Middle East. The 1990s saw an increase in international trade with the establishment of the European Union, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the World Trade Organization. This decade ushered in a new global economy, where countries were doing business with one another in a way that they had never done before. Major Developments in Technology The 1990s brought us advancements in technology, which changed the way we communicated. The internet became popular and connected people around the world. Microsoft and Apple created major developments in computer technology. While most people still relied on pagers, cell phones started to become popular. Video game systems were all the rage, and Game Boys allowed people to enjoy their games on the go. CD players replaced cassette players, allowing users to easily skip to their favourite tracks on albums. Pop Culture Icons During the 1990s, alternative and hip-hop music gained popularity, aided by the rise in MTV and the internet. Viewers were glued to their televisions to catch every episode of Friends, Seinfeld, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Blockbuster movies of the decade included Titanic, Jurassic Park, and Clueless. Fashion & Trends 90s fashion was a clash of styles- from preppy to grunge to sporty, clothing was an expression of personal taste. The decade began with bright colours and bold prints as the top trends, but as the nineties came to an end, muted colours of flannel shirts, baby doll dresses, and baggy jeans were all the rage, as teens emulated the styles of their favourite musicians. We hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane as we looked back on the 1990s!