Donna Duncan

Remembering Major E Clark Gothard (1918-2007) WW2 & 54 Bty RCA of ⁦@CityofBrantford⁩. Landed and wounded on DDay with the 12th Cdn Fd Rgt. First Cdn on German soil with the 13th Cdn Fd Rgt outside of Nijmegen #LestWeForget #CanadaRemembers ⁦@RoyalCdnLegion⁩

MIT engineers have developed “mini livers” that could be injected into the body and take over the functions of the failing liver. This would help patients who are on a waitlist for a liver transplant or those who aren’t healthy enough to tolerate surgery. news.mit.edu/2026/injectabl…

The @nytimes highlights how virtual reality (VR) is helping older adults combat social isolation, featuring @LeadingAge members Castle Argyle and Plymouth Village. At Castle Argyle, a VR pilot program helps residents feel reconnected: “It shows you that there are people interested in stuff beyond just living and existing,” Pat Bridges, a resident at Castle Argyle said. “It’s an escape from reality.” Read the full New York Times story, by Charley Locke: ldng.ag/4eEooEj

A groundbreaking recent study has revealed that eating just one or more eggs per week can significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease — by nearly 47%. Researchers found that eggs are rich in choline, an essential nutrient that supports brain health, strengthens memory, and helps build cell membranes. Choline is a key ingredient for producing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in learning and focus. Lower levels of this compound have long been linked to cognitive decline. While no food can guarantee protection from Alzheimer’s, this discovery highlights how small dietary choices can have profound effects on long-term mental health. One humble egg may hold part of the answer to keeping our memories alive — a simple breakfast with extraordinary potential. [Pan, Y., Wallace, T. C., Kroska, T., Bennett, D. A., Agarwal, P., et Chung, M. (2025). Association of egg intake with Alzheimer’s dementia risk in older adults: The Rush Memory and Aging Project. The Journal of Nutrition]

When Being a Family #Caregiver is No Longer an Option: Burnout, their own health issues, or other urgent family obligations may cause #caregivers to step away. If caregiving is a marathon, they should see it as a relay race, handing the baton to others. aarp.org/caregiving/lif…

As Volunteer Week comes to a close, we simply want to say thank you. In LTC homes across the province, volunteers are shaping daily life. Supporting residents. Standing alongside families. Strengthening communities. At @PerleyHealth, seven individuals were recognized with Circle of Excellence awards — a powerful reflection of the leadership, compassion and connection volunteers bring into LTC homes every day. And they were not alone. 740 volunteers received Circle of Excellence awards this year. That's 740 people making a difference in the lives of residents living in long-term care.

‘Training to stay out of a nursing home’: Meet Saskatoon’s senior powerlifters cp24.com/news/canada/20…

Aging in place takes more than good intentions. On The Hart of It All, Deb Galet shares practical tips on planning, independence at home, and the importance of rehab and continuing care: thehartofitall.ca/planning-to-ag…

No matter where you are — you can walk with us! This May and June, join the Sashbear Virtual Walk and be part of a national movement to break the stigma around Borderline Personality Disorder. #SashbearWalk #BPDAwareness #BreakTheStigma #WalkForFamilies

A resident’s quality of life changed because someone had the courage to try something new in long-term care. And we know there are stories like that unfolding in homes across Ontario — stories of dignity restored, of connection rebuilt, of staff going beyond what’s written in any care plan. Those stories deserve a stage. The call for content is now open for This is Long Term Care (#TiLTC2026). Submit your abstracts by May 11: thisisltc.com/call-for-conte… Help us show what’s possible and shape what comes next. Together.

This #NationalVolunteerWeek, we celebrate our amazing Yee Hong volunteers! A Volunteer Recognition ceremony was held last Saturday, honouring 218 volunteers for their dedication and long-term service. Thank you for your dedication in enriching the lives of our seniors every day!

Music engages many parts of the brain at once—areas involved in memory, attention, and emotion. This makes it a valuable tool for supporting cognitive health ow.ly/GJtC50YFHVr

Women are living longer lives but tend to outlive their money. A new book by my Star colleague @MoiraWelsh shows how "peak longevity" often ends in solitary poverty, plagued by a wage gap + gender pension trap. Thursday's column on what women need to do thestar.com/politics/polit…

Tune in to our April 29 webinar to learn the latest evidence on the benefits of walking, along with practical tips for walking safely and maximizing those benefits ow.ly/tSPn50YFFvm @McMasterAlumni @MIRAMcMaster

🔔How can we make AgeTech more accessible in Canada’s northern & rural communities? Explore how @CTAAN_CATVN – a national innovation hub that emerged from AGE-WELL – is working to get tech out where it’s needed. Read more in Global Health Connector: tinyurl.com/ywnx6nwb.

Grateful for the time spent with @AgeCareCanada and their residents last week. Seeing their care up close and sharing meaningful moments was truly impactful. Thank you, AgeCare, for the trust and compassion you bring every day. #SeniorCare #Healthcare #CompassionInCare

Reflecting on a productive #CALTCHillDay2026! Yesterday, CALTC had the opportunity to sit down with MP Jessica Fancy. As a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development (HUMA), MP Fancy provided valuable perspective. Thank you, MP Fancy, for your support of long-term care in Canada!

World first virtual reality train opens in Aussie aged care facility, where residents enjoy afternoon tea while touring 10 countries.

This is the new @MoiraWelsh book that ⁦@MooreintheAM⁩ is discussing on @NEWSTALK1010 right now.

A final piece of advice from Holly Butcher - written the day before she passed away from cancer at just 27: “It’s a strange thing knowing you’re going to die young. At 26, I thought I had time… To fall in love. Start a family. Grow old. But cancer doesn’t care about plans. Now, I understand how fragile life really is. Every single day is a gift, not a guarantee. I’m not writing this to scare you. I’m writing to remind you: really live. Stop stressing over little things. Be kind to your body- move it, nourish it, stop criticizing it. One day you’ll wish you had appreciated it. Go outside. Look at the sky. Feel the sun. Just be. Spend less time chasing “stuff” - more time making memories. Don’t skip moments with people you love. Laugh more. Write a note. Tell someone you love them. Complain less. Give more. Helping others brings more joy than anything you can buy. Be present. Put your phone down. Show up - really show up. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need a perfect body, or a perfect life. Just follow what makes your heart light up. Say no to what drains you. Make changes when you need to. And please - donate blood. I wouldn’t have had that extra year without it. And that year gave me memories I’ll hold close… forever. Thank you for reading this. Live your life well. And maybe… we’ll meet again someday.” Holly 🩷 Repost & share Holly’s important advice. ❤️