Winter 2023 -- in HTML / in PDF / in accessible PDF

The Board of Governors has approved there will be NO increase to pensions effective January 1, 2023.

For retirees of the Salaried Pension Plans:

• for those retirees of the Salaried pension plan who are members of Unifor hired on or after May 1, 2010 there is no increase since the 5 year average rate of return was 4.47%.  This is below the 5.0% required to get an increase.

• for other retirees of the Salaried pension plans, there is no increase since the 5 year average rate of return was 4.47%.  This is below the 4.5% required to get an increase.

Details can be found at: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/pensioner-increase-calculation-salaried-pension-plans

For retirees of the Hourly Pension Plan:

• for retirees of the Hourly pension plan, there is no increase since the 5 year average rate of return was 3.31%.  This is below the 6.0% required to get an increase.

Details can be found at: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/pensioner-increase-hourly-pension-plan

If you would like to write a piece for the Members’ Corner section of MURAnews please contact a member of the team at muranews@mcmaster.ca.
 
Mac retirees live coast-to-coast and we want to hear what you are doing, what interests you, what you think fellow Mac retirees should know about our/your community. Any and all ideas entertained. The MURAnews Editor will contact you about upcoming deadlines for submission of material for the next issue.

• Are you a gardener with tips for dividing perennials or overwintering tubers and bulbs?
• Have you recently read a book(s) or watched a series that you would like to share with others?
• Are you a keen cook with new and interesting recipes to share?
• Have you found some new fun and innovative ways to occupy yourself during the pandemic?
• Have you ideas for safe social activities or hobbies that we can share?

If nothing else, this pandemic has taught us the importance of staying connected so, please, reach out and share your experiences with fellow retirees who would love to hear from you. Articles can be submitted to MURA at any time for our Members’ Corner.
 
Finally, if you have any photos of your activities and/or hobbies, please share them so that we can include some in MURAnews.
 
Thanks for considering.  We look forward to hearing from you.

McMaster researchers in the School of Rehabilitation Science are looking for volunteers (ages 55-75) with early changes in their mobility to participate in one of three FREE 12-week exercise programs for research on exercise and mobility.

Interested participants must have an email address and a laptop computer with internet access at home.

More information about this study can be found here. If you are interested in participating, please contact Susanne Sinclair ssincla@mcmaster.ca. Follow us on Twitter @MobiliTResearch.

Note: Recruitment has begun and will continue until December 2023.

A free, online, self-paced course in Infection Prevention and Control for Caregivers and Families is being offered by McMaster Continuing Education.

COVID-19 has shown us how quickly infection can spread and the importance of keeping ourselves and loved ones safe.

Further information can be found in a CCE press release https://mcmastercce.ca/news/1084/new-infection-prevention-and-control-for-caregivers-and-families-course-offered-by-mce.

The direct link to the course and to register is: https://mcmastercce.ca/infection-prevention-and-control

This information is being forwarded on behalf of Gail Elliot, a McMaster retiree.
 
I retired from McMaster University, as the Assistant Director of the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging, in 2012. Since retiring, I launched a new business - DementiAbility Enterprises Inc. I chose this name because my ultimate goal is to expose the abilities of those living with dementia. The mission of DementiAbility Enterprises is to move research into action through education, and provision of related resources that are designed for professionals, care partners and those living with dementia.
 
COVID-19 has added a new level of stress for those who are supporting individuals living with dementia. In an effort to help care partners (families, friends and/or neighbours), I have written a new book for caregivers that clearly discusses important connections between the brain, their loved one's life story, the environment and behaviours. The book helps the reader to better understand behaviours and learn how to address the needs of the person in his/her care. The book is filled with practical tools and common-sense approaches that can be used to enable the abilities of their loved one, and, overall, encourages the reader to think differently about dementia. Thus, the title of the book is "Thinking Differently About Dementia: Tips and Tools for Care Partners".  Since writing the book I have been told, "Everyone who is caring for a loved one with dementia needs to read this book".  
 
If people are interested in learning more about DementiAbility's educational events and resources for care partners, professionals and the person living with dementia, visit my website at www.dementiability.com.  (Note:  There are a variety of free downloads - some related to helping individuals living with dementia to understand COVID-19 - as well as other resources such as large print books, bathing guidelines and a book that helps children to understand frontotemporal dementia.)
 
Gail Elliot, BASc, MA
Gerontologist, Educator, Author & Dementia Specialist
Founder, DementiAbility Enterprises Inc.
Website:  www.dementiability.com

Canadians are reporting increased stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Hamilton Public Health Services has launched a campaign to support the mental health and well-being of Hamilton residents.
 
Take it one step at a time. Check in with yourself. Take care of yourself. Support your mental health.

• COAST Hamilton: 905-972-8338
• www.hamilton.ca/covidmentalhealth#COVID19

MURA Members and Friends –

The Hamilton Council on Aging has released its April 27 version of:

‘Staying Connected! Information & Resources for Older Adults to Stay Connected, Safe & Healthy at a Distance’

This is a useful summary of resources for older adults in Hamilton. Much of the information is also relevant to those living in other communities.

The resources you'll find there cover these topics:

• sources of online news & information

• St. Matthew’s House Seniors First Response Team

• Healthcare

• Housing insecurity

• Transportation

• Shopping

• Meals on Wheels

• Education & support

• Seniors’ abuse & neglect

• Financial

• Maintaining social connections

• Other useful resources for older adults in Hamilton during COVID-19