My Activities, Social Life & More
Exploring Ways to Stay Mentally Engaged
Whether you are 65 or 85, staying physically active and socially connected can help prevent isolation, anxiety, confusion, and depression. Just as important, it improves your physical and emotional health, immune system, strength, flexibility and balance. Sometimes changes in your personal and living situations can impact your physical activities and social connections.
The following ideas come from focus groups, individual discussions, and online sources. Take what feels most helpful and relevant to you.
- Engage in regular reading. Choose books, articles, or topics that introduce new ideas, perspectives, or complex concepts.
- Use brain enhancers such as word games, puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, and memory challenges. These activities strengthen focus, processing speed, and recall.
- Avoid brain-draining activities such as endless scrolling or excessive screen time. Set healthy limits and be intentional about how you spend your time online.
- Learn a new language or how to play a musical instrument. New skills build neural connections and improve memory and concentration.
- Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night. Quality sleep is essential for memory consolidation, learning, and overall cognitive performance.
- Stay physically active. Regular exercise improves blood flow to the brain and supports long-term cognitive health.
- Engage in meaningful conversations. Social interaction stimulates thinking, improves communication skills, and reduces mental decline.
- Practice mindfulness or meditation. These habits improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity.
- Eat a balanced, brain-healthy diet. Nutrients such as omega-3s, antioxidants, and whole foods support brain function.
Considering Ideas for Active Living
- Consult your physician for guidance before starting any new exercise program. This is especially important if you have a chronic condition, recent surgery, or are managing symptoms that affect your strength or stamina.
- Visit a physiotherapist to create a plan if you have chronic pain or mobility concerns from your condition or treatments. A personalized program can help you move safely and build confidence.
- Add in daily exercise into your routine, such as exercise classes, walking or hiking, cycling, gym workouts, stretching, Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, or Qi Gong. Start small – even 15 minutes a day.
- Learn ways to modify exercises (such as chair yoga or water-based activities), even if just temporarily.
- Explore recreation or community centres for low-cost programs. Check out beginner-friendly, adaptive, or health-focused classes.
- Spend time outdoors with nature walks, gardening, or light recreational activities to reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
- Schedule your physical activity into your paper of phone calendar app.
- Listen to your body and pace yourself. Balance activity with rest to avoid exhaustion, injury, or flare-ups.
- Track your progress in your calendar app. Keeping a simple log can help you notice improvements in stamina, strength, or mood.
- Invite a friend or join a group. Social support can increase motivation and make physical activity more enjoyable.
Having Healthy Social Connections
Think about when you feel most open to connect with others and when you need quiet time to recharge. Plan social activities when it works for you.
- Consider connecting with others through face-to-face visits, phone calls, video chats, texts, emails, or even handwritten notes.
- Stay connected to your health advocate(s) when unwell, then open yourself up to family and friends as you feel able.
- Engage in small group activities that interest you such as crafts, pottery, art, cooking, music, book clubs, walking groups, fitness classes, or educational workshops.
- Make a list of activities you are curious about and try one new activity each month.
- Join community organizations, cultural groups, faith communities, or hobby-based clubs that align with your interests and values.
- Foster healthy relationships with people who respect you, encourage your growth, listen without judgment, and make you feel valued and supported.
- Practice active listening and open communication. Share your thoughts and feelings honestly while also being receptive to others’ perspectives.
- Explore travel opportunities—such as group tours, wellness retreats, or cultural exchanges—that combine social engagement with physical activity and learning.
- Seek out support groups, peer circles, or community meetups where you can connect with others who share similar life experiences, goals, or challenges.
- Consider volunteering with causes you care about. Volunteering not only supports your community but also helps you build meaningful connections with like-minded individuals.
- Set healthy personal boundaries. Be clear about your comfort level with time, topics of conversation, and personal information as you build new relationships.
- Balance online and in-person connections. Be careful not to replace real-life interactions with online or social media communications.
Balancing Activities and Rest
- Recognize your energy limits and plan your day around when you feel strongest. Try scheduling more demanding tasks during higher-energy times and lighter activities when your energy is lower.
- Use pacing techniques—break tasks into smaller steps, take short rest breaks before you feel overtired, and avoid pushing through fatigue.
- Clear your calendar when you are unwell or experiencing a flare-ups in your condition or you just feel tired.
- Create a flexible daily or weekly schedule that includes time for relaxation, exercise, meals, social connection, and health management.
- Communicate openly with family, friends, and care partners about your needs and limitations. Ask for help when necessary.
- Follow your treatment plan, including medications, therapies, nutrition, hydration, and physical activity recommendations.
- Keep track of your symptoms and what worked on your health calendar.
- Practice stress-management strategies such as deep breathing, gentle stretching, mindfulness, journaling, or relaxation exercises.
- Protect your sleep by maintaining a consistent bedtime routine and creating a comfortable sleep environment. This includes turning off your phone.
- Learn to recognize early warning signs of fatigue or symptom worsening and respond quickly with rest.
- Review your balance regularly and adjust as your health needs change.
- Be kind to yourself in words and thoughts. Don’t forget to celebrate your successes and learning.
“There is no doubt that retirement and entering your 60s, 70s, or 80s brings yet another big shift in life as you try to redefine yourself. The things that gave me purpose in my 60s—work, volunteering, and travelling—changed in my later 70s. There has been less travel, a few more health issues to manage, some close friends have moved away, and our children are very busy with their own lives. I found myself looking for new ways to stay active and connected with others. Then came my husband’s diagnosis of cancer. Suddenly, our days were filled with health appointments, bloodwork, scans, surgeries, and hospitalizations. More than anything, it was not just his health that changed—it was the way we lived our daily lives.
My husband had always been the more active and energetic one, always ready for an outing or a chance to connect with others. Over time, those activities became too tiring for him. I now find myself trying to balance caring for him while also maintaining my own need for exercise, social activities, and perhaps the occasional small trip. Our day-to-day life has changed in many ways. I am learning that caregiving is not only about supporting the person you love, but also about finding ways to care for yourself. It means adjusting expectations, being flexible, and accepting that life may look different than it once did—while still finding moments of connection, purpose, and joy along the way.”
Tip
Reflect on your day to day. Talk to others about ways to maintain or improve your physical and social activity. Check out the suggestions below and check out the suggestions and programs for seniors in the resource kit.
Senior Toolbox
Using Your Phone or iPad
Notes app to set physical, social and health goals.
Reminder/ Alerts app to set alarms as reminders for exercise or activities.
What’sApp /Facetime to connect with friends and family.
My Nutrition, Eating Habits & Meal Support
Understanding Good Food Basics
Seniors may face nutrition challenges due to changes in appetite, taste, digestion, medications, and health conditions. Maintaining balanced meals, staying hydrated, and ensuring adequate intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals can help support energy, strength, and overall health.
- Know all of your food allergies or sensitivities and symptoms and list them in your personal Health Profile.
- Share with your family, friends, and care partners if you have you a severe allergy. Carry an EpiPen with you at all times.
- Talk to your pharmacist to find out if any foods, spices, herbs, or supplements can cause interactions with your medications.
- Make a list of the foods you should avoid – post it on your fridge, and share with others who are close to you.
- Check out the Canada Food Guide for tips for healthy eating for adults.
- Add your allergies and sensitivities, use of supplements, vitamins, and herbs, and special diet requirements to your Health Profile.
Exploring Meal Planning and Preparation
Health conditions, physical changes due to aging, medications, and treatments can impact your appetite. Times of feeling unwell, can alter your ability to plan, shop, and prepare meals. Explore ways to adapt to your changing nutritional needs.
- Describe changes in your appetite and list your preferences for meals, snacks, and beverages.
- List all the vitamins, herbs, or supplements you are taking on your medications list in your Health Profile.
- Learn about holistic nutrition and advances in speciality diets for aging, digestive issues, and allergies.
- Check out healthy ways of eating – start with the Canada Food Guide for your age.
- Create a weekly meal plan and share it with care partners stating how they can help you get groceries or prepare meals.
- Explore grocery shopping, meal delivery, and meal support services available in your community.
- Check out low-income meal support programs in BC.
- Keep your food services and meal support programs in your contacts app.
- Try consulting a dietitian to help you create a healthy eating plan. Services through Healthlink BC are free consultations. Or consult a dietitian in private practice.
- Learn about the role of a dietitian in the resource kit.
Learning about Ideas for Meal Support
As we age, food choices, portion sizes, and mealtimes often change. Smaller portions and lighter meals at the end of the day can improve energy levels, digestion, and sleep. Health or physical changes may make meal prep more difficult, and the loss of a partner who handled cooking can affect meal routines. Consider your current nutrition and when you might need meal support.
Favorite meals and snacks
- What are your favorite meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), snacks and beverages? At what time of the day?
- Are you currently taking any vitamins, herbs, or supplements? Make sure they are listed on your medication list in your health profile.
- How much fluid do you drink each day? Have you been directed by your physician to limit or measure your fluid intake?
Food allergies and sensitivities
- Are there any foods that you have allergies or sensitivities to?
- Do you need to avoid or limit foods, spices, herbs or supplements because of their interaction with your medications?
- Post a list on your fridge of all the items you should avoid, list them in your health profile, and share it with your care partners.
Grocery Shopping
- Do you have care partners or neighbours who can help with shopping as needed?
- Are there online ordering and grocery delivery services in your area?
Meal Preparation
- Do you need assistance with preparing your meals?
- Do you have safety issues to consider – forgetting the stove on, unsteadiness on your feet, or falls?
- Are there care partners who could provide prepared meals?
- Are you aware of meal support services available in your community?
- Add your favorite recipes and information on meal support services to your Mywell Health planner.
“After his wife passed away, John found that many parts of his daily life had quietly changed, including something as simple as eating well. For 45 years, his wife had done the grocery shopping and most of the cooking. She knew what foods he liked, kept the pantry stocked, and made sure they sat down together for regular meals. Without her, the routine disappeared. Cooking for one did not seem worth the effort, and his appetite just was not the same. Some days he realized he had hardly eaten anything.
Over time, he felt more tired and had less energy. His physician explained that many seniors face changes in taste, reduced appetite, and digestion issues. Mood, medications, and health conditions can all affect how much and how well someone eats. John’s daughter made some suggestions like having his main meal at lunchtime when he had more energy, sharing a meal with family and neighbours, and accepting meal support of homemade dishes that could be reheated later. She also found a local delivery service of prepared meals a few times a week. These small supports helped John slowly rebuild his routine.”
Tip
In BC, you can call or email your dietary and nutrition questions. Call 811 to speak to a dietitian or send an email for specific dietary questions and concerns to HealthlinkBC.
Senior Toolbox
Using Your Phone or iPad
Call 811 to speak to a Dietitian at Healthlink BC.
Notes app to record your symptoms, concerns and questions for the Dietitian.
Cloud storage to access your Health Profile with your updated medication, supplements, vitamins, herbs and any food allergies or sensitivities.
My Transportation Options
Assessing Your Health and Driving Ability
Driving offers freedom and independence and losing that ability can be challenging. However, changes in your health or medications may affect your ability to drive safely. You may want to consider having a driving assessment. Perhaps this has been suggested by your family, physician, or you are considering it yourself.
- Know how your health or medications can affect your driving, such as tiredness, vision, or reaction time.
- Talk to your physician or specialist about whether it is safe for you to drive.
- Know that in BC, it is a requirement to have a Drivers Medical Examination’ completed by your physician or nurse practitioner at 80 and 85 years of age and then every two years after that.
- Understand that you are required to declare any new or ongoing medical condition, physical disability, or cognitive impairment when you apply for, renew, or upgrade your driver’s license.This includes, but is not limited to, diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, neurological disorders, or mobility issues.
- Understand that Road Safety BC may require you to submit a Driver’s Medical Examination Report (DMER)completed by your physician or nurse practitioner or complete a functional assessment.
- Learn more about “Medical Examinations” from ICBC.
- Give yourself space and time to transition from being the driver to a passenger.
Exploring Transportation Options & Services in BC
Look into options like public transit, ride-share programs, or disability discounts if driving is not an option for you, permanently or temporarily. In BC, certain health conditions and disabilities entitled you to transportation discounts. Learn more about each of these programs in your community.
- BC Bus Pass Program: For adults receiving Disability Assistance (PWD designation), this provides an annual pass for BC Transit/TransLink or a monthly supplement ($52) for other transport needs.
- HandyDART: A shared, door-to-door ride-sharing service for those unable to use regular transit due to disability (cognitive or physical); includes free travel for a support person.
- HandyCard: Offers discounted fares on conventional transit (bus, SkyTrain, etc.) and free attendant travel in TransLink areas.
- TaxiSaver: A subsidy (50% off) for taxi rides, supplemental to HandyDART, for eligible HandyCard holders.
- Disability parking (SPARC) is a special parking permit for people who have difficulties with mobility from surgery, accidents, health changes or disabilities. For permanent or short-term use. A physician or nurse practitioner must complete part of the application. Complete your portion of the form and bring it to the appointment. In some cases, if you are unable to physically get to a visit, the process can be completed online and mailed to you.
- Travel Assistance Program(TAP) is a refund program for getting to specialist appointments, tests, or surgeries outside of your community. If you qualify, you need to get a signed letter and form from your physician or specialist. When you need to use your TAP refund, call the TAP 24 hour information line days before your appointment to get a confirmation number that you write on your form.
Community-based Ridesharing
- Many BC communities have different transportation options depending on your age and need. All ride-share services need to be booked ahead of time
- Taxi services can provide wheelchair accessible ridesharing and usually accept taxi vouchers.
- Volunteer drivers such as Volunteer Cancer Drivers and Wheels of Hope offer rides to and from cancer treatments.
- Volunteer transportation programs provide rides for people with disabilities or special health needs. These services often offer door-to-door rides to medical appointments and social outings.
“At 86, I had to hang up my car keys. After more than 70 years of driving, it felt like losing a piece of my freedom and independence. For decades, I could go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted. When my physician suggested that I consider stopping driving, I did not take it well. My adult children had been gently raising the subject too, and I felt angry—at myself, at them, and even at my doctor. Driving had always been part of how I stayed independent and connected to my community.
Deep down, though, I knew things had been changing. My reactions were slower, my memory lapsing, and my medications made me feel more tired and less steady. Acknowledging this did not make the decision easier, but it helped me understand why the conversation was happening. For me, hanging up the keys was something I had to grieve. Over time, I began to explore other transportation options.”
Tip
Look into the different services and see what you can use to get around. It is different for all health conditions. Some are available to you even if you only need them for a short period of time – like the SPARC parking permit or HandyDART.
Senior Toolbox
Using Your Phone or iPad
Google search for transportation options.
Phone to call friends for rides to appointments.
Notes app to record driving programs.
Contact app for list of friends, drivers, care partners, and services.
Managing My Daily Needs & Changes in My Health
Exploring Your Personal Care Needs
Have you or your partner had a health change, new diagnosis, or recent hospitalization? Are others concerned about your health and safety? Start by identifying where you need help, then decide when, how, and from whom to get the help you need. Take some time on your own or with your health advocate to discuss if you are having difficulty meeting any of your personal daily needs. Then, explore how these needs can be met in your current living situation.
- Personal hygiene such as bathing or showering, grooming (including hair care, shaving, and oral hygiene), toileting, skin care, and dressing.
- Meal support including preparing meals, grocery shopping, and kitchen cleaning.
- Moving around, any mobility concerns in your home, such as walking, transferring from sitting to standing, climbing stairs, walking to and from a car and using mobility aids/devices.
- Medication management including filling prescriptions, taking the right dosage of medications at the right times, re-ordering from the physician, and communicating with the pharmacist.
- Managing treatments for your health conditions, including using specialized equipment and medical devices, infusions or injecting medications, ordering medical supplies and equipment, and more.
- Home hygiene chores such as cleaning, laundry, washing dishes, washing bathrooms, and vacuuming.
- Organizing a schedule for caregivers and care partners as needed.
Getting Assistance with Your Personal Care Needs
- Be aware that your personal care needs may change due to worsening symptoms, new side effects, an accident, surgery, or hospitalization.
- Have an agreement in place with your health advocate or care partners on a plan for getting assistance if your needs change.
- Always continue to voice your need for privacy and confidentiality.
- Identify what you need help with on a daily basis or when feeling unwell.
- Create a personal care plan based on the things you need help with.
- Know that a written plan should help you communicate with multiple caregivers and care partners and give you more control over how and when you want assistance and support.
- Download the Changes in My Personal Needs fillable PDF tool. Complete the checklist with your health advocate or a care partner.
Managing Your Symptoms or Side Effects
- Talk with your physician, nurse practitioner or specialist about when it is appropriate to see them. Know how you can get in touch with them by booking a health visit, by phone, or by email.
- Learn about when it is more appropriate to see other health care professionals such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or registered massage therapist for symptom management.
- Learn about the expanded scope of practice for a pharmacist in BC. Make a list of how your pharmacist might be able to help to manage your symptoms and side effects.
- Revisit your Health Care & Business Professionals list and include how they all can assist you.
Tracking Your Symptoms
- Try tracking your symptoms in your health calendar in print or on your calendar app.
- Note significant changes in your daily routine, medications, or treatments that could be impacting the severity of your symptoms. Include any medications or over the counter drugs, vitamins, or herbs you take.
- Describe your symptoms or side effects in detail, such as time of day they occur, how long they last and what treatments, over the counter drugs or remedies you use and with what effect.
- Share any health changes, symptoms or side effects with your health advocate, physician, and specialists.
- Record your new or changed symptoms in your health calendar.
Tracking & Recording Your Medications
- Keep your medication list up to date in your Health Profile.
- Remember it needs to include updated dosages of your regular medications, the name and dosage of your supplements, vitamins, and herbs. As well as any over the counter drugs you use regularly.
- Keep an up-to-date medications list in your Notes app.
- At least once a year, go through this list with your physician, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist
- Always make note of any side effects or negative interactions with other substances such as alcohol or OTC drugs, even if the medication isn’t new to you.
- Use pill boxes or blister packs from the pharmacy if you need help organizing your medications.
- Set alarms on your phone, if needed, as medication reminders.
- Consider using a medication record to help you mark off the medications you take each day. Include the name of the medication, dosage, time taken, and any special instructions (ie. with or without food). Initial who gave the medication.
- Download My Medications & Daily Records fillable PDF tool to have a digital and printable record, is needed.
- If a person other than yourself is giving you your medications – use the fillable medication record in a paper copy – keep in your Mywell Health planner.
- Make sure your health advocate knows where your medication list is on your phone. Include it in your Emergency Plan.
“Mom fell in the garden and broke her hip. She was in the hospital and then in a rehabilitation program for one week following her surgery. While working with the hospital social worker, my two siblings and I were told that she would be discharged home in the next two days.
That news started a flurry of activity—conversations, phone calls, and quick decisions. We needed a plan to get her safely back into her house and make it manageable for her to move around using a walker. That meant cleaning up the house and removing tripping hazards like loose rugs, as well as installing a raised toilet seat and a shower chair. Those were the practical changes. We also had to figure out the “who, what, when, and how” of helping her once she was home—who would check in, who would help with meals, and how we would coordinate our time. When she was discharged, we left with a list of follow-up appointments, medication prescriptions, and a phone number to arrange in-home physiotherapy. Other than that, we were mostly on our own, trying to figure things out as we went along!”
Tip
A simple list of daily tasks, preferred timing, and how a person likes each task done can provide peace of mind. If caregivers are involved, this list can be expanded into a personal care plan found in the resource kit.
Senior Toolbox
Using Your Phone or iPad
Call 811 or email for health information
Calendar & Notes app to record the items you are tracking.
Photos of medication labels and supplements, vitamins and over the counter drugs
Alarms/Alerts on your phone, if needed, as medication reminders.
Cloud storage access to Health Profile, Changes in My Personal Needs, and My Medication list.
