Remember the one-time COVID-19 senior benefit ($300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security pension, and an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement) that you received from the federal government in July 2020? This is just a reminder that it is not taxable. There will be no T4A issued, and you should not claim it as part of your income.  

For more information, see:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/notice-covid-19/one-time-payment.html

Winter 2021 -- in HTML / in PDF

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

From McMaster University Continuing Education:

• February 9, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  The Ontario Caregiver Organization: We See You, We Hear You, We Help You
  Open to all, please register here.
  
• March 9, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  Use Your Words: Talking About Your Caregiving to Access Community Support
  Open to all, please register here.
  
• April 13, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  Why Are We in Crisis? Learning from an Online Caregiver Support Group
  Open to all, please register here.

Dr. Rong Zheng, a professor in the Dept. of Computing and Software, McMaster University is looking for volunteers over the age of 65 to act as co-designers in a graduate course on Mobility in Aging (CAS781) from Jan 25th to April 9th and participate in group design projects.

In the course, the volunteers will work with groups of graduate students from Engineering, Kinesiology and the Humanities in developing technical solutions to mobility challenges faced by older adults.

The main responsibilities of the co-designers include:

• Interacting with students an average of 1hr per week virtually
• Contributing to problem solving and student assessment
  

Engineering technical background is preferred but not required. All interactions will be conducted VIRTUALLY and thus the availability of good internet connectivity and video conferencing software (e.g. Zoom) is necessary.
 
The co-designers can withdraw at any point during the period. Please be aware that students may record the group meetings so they can refer to the discussion later, so you should be comfortable with having the design discussion recorded.

Students may also ask volunteers to participate in market and/or user experience research surveys or interviews about the technical solutions they are developing. You would be invited to participate in this research separately by the students and it is up to you whether you want to participate. You can be a volunteer co-designer and not participate in the additional research if you do not want to.
 
If you are interested in participating and/or getting more information about taking part in the course, please email Amanda Switzer (switzeav@mcmaster.ca)  DIRECTLY with a brief self-introduction and the best means of contact.

Thank you for your interest,
Dr. Rong Zheng

Greetings fellow McMaster Retirees,

We are pleased to inform you that the Board of Governors has approved the following increases to pensions effective January 2021:

For retirees of the Salaried Pension Plan, there will be a regular pension increase as outlined below:

Members must have been receiving a pension on June 30, 2019 to receive the full pension increase. Those who retired between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020 will receive a pro-rated increase. There will be no supplementary increase this year. Details can be found at: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/pensioner-increase-calculation-salaried-pension-plans/
 
For retirees of the Hourly Pension Plan, unfortunately, there will be no increase.  Details can be found at: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/pensioner-increase-hourly-pension-plan/
 
-  your MURA Council

The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) is continuing to offering intergenerational programming with students and adults over the age of 65 through Zoom. Winter programming will take place once a week from January to April.

The following details and contact information is being forwarded from MIRA.  

Join us for virtual intergenerational activities this fall and winter!

‘Meet My Hamilton’ is the latest addition to a suite of virtual activities offered by MIRA. Its aim: to bring students and older adults from the Hamilton community (or further afield! We welcome non-Hamiltonians, too) together during times of physical distancing. ‘Meet My Hamilton’ will give students and older community members the opportunity to share their interests and life experiences and learn about and support one another. Programming will provide opportunities for casual conversation and to explore various topics and activities together. This program is ideal for anyone looking to engage with new people while staying at home.

‘Meet My Hamilton’ is open to adults over the age of 65 and will be offered through Zoom. You will have the option to participate either through online video conferencing or by phone. MIRA will organize activities and provide an orientation.

Our fall session of programming is wrapping up in December and we will be launching a winter session in January 2021. Programming will take place once a week from January to April. Programming will be offered from 4:30 to 5:30 PM on Wednesday and Thursday. While we expect most people will want to chat for around 45 minutes to an hour, online programming allows the flexibility to chat a little longer if you’d like as well! If you are already a part of our fall program, don’t worry about reaching out—we’ve got you on our list!

If interested, contact Allison Dubé by e-mail at warda2@mcmaster.ca or by phone at (905) 536-3717.

Senior College of the University of Toronto is pleased to continue to open its free weekly Wednesday lectures over Zoom to members of other retiree organizations that are members of CURAC. For details see https://mcmaster-retirees.ca/other-events/9333726.

News from CURAC:

A number of retiree association members have informed the Board of savings achieved by buying insurance from Economical, one of our affinity partners. We are pleased be able to provide you with the opportunity to pass on to your members this special offer:

Get a quote on car or home insurance through Economical and you will be entered to win a cash prize of $5,000. For details, see the poster below. Contest closes March 31 2021.

Where provincial laws allow, Economical offers retirees affiliated with CURAC (through their membership in participating CURAC member associations) auto and home insurance at advantageous rates.

Note that information about CURAC affinity partners is posted on the CURAC website.  

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