In 2011, the Canadian Census estimated there were 5,825 people living in Canada who were 100 years old or over. These numbers are expected to increase considerably over the next few decades. Though living to be a centenarian is not common, there are a few Canadians who have accomplished this feat and even lived for many years beyond. Toronto senior home care professionals discuss the lives of 4 outstanding seniors who have the honor of being the oldest people currently living in Canada.
1. Cecilia Laurent
Born on January 31, 1896, Laurent is a remarkable 120-year-old mother of 12 who lives in Laval, Quebec. Such longevity doesn’t come easy, but she claims her faith, constant praying, and an optimistic outlook have kept her going. She gets a thrill from watching cartoons on television and tries to avoid turning on the news because it stresses her out. Laurent feels her healthy lifestyle has also contributed to her longevity. She eats very little junk food, and her current diet consists mainly of juice, chicken, bananas, and mashed corn.
2. Ellen “Dolly” Gibb
Gibb currently resides in North Bay, Ontario. This mother of 2 daughters turned 111 years old on April 26, 2016. In her younger years, she was a talented homemaker, cook, and seamstress who loved to play card games. Gibb was able to live on her own up until she was 100, and she now lives with one of her daughters. Her family attributes her longevity to good genetics, a healthy diet, and a lack of smoking. Gibb has some hearing loss and now uses a wheelchair, but overall she enjoys good health and keeps her mind sharp by watching Wheel of Fortune daily.
3. Louise-Anna Turcotte
Turcotte was born on September 5, 1905, and she currently lives in Ontario. She lived most of her childhood with her grandmother and had 3 daughters with her first husband. Today, she lives close to her children, who help care for her. Turcotte attributes her longevity to a positive outlook on life, the love of family and friends, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise.
4. Maude Mingo
Mingo turned 110 years old on July 2, 2016, and now lives in Hamilton with her grandson and his mother. When she was younger, this talented mother of 3 had a bakery, made jewelry, and was a seamstress. Mingo also had an adventurous side and loved to get dressed up and go to dances. In 1998 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the family hired a caregiver to help look after her. Mingo’s recipe for longevity is family, tons of love, and home cooking.
There is no single lifestyle choice that guarantees a senior a long, happy, and healthy life. However, there are some steps your senior loved one can take to increase his or her chances. At Home Care Assistance, we offer a program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to exercise regularly, eat well, maintain strong social ties, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. In addition to respite and live-in care, we also offer comprehensive Parkinson’s, post-stroke, and Alzheimer’s home care Toronto, ON, families trust. For more information on our elder care services, please call (416) 488-8777 today.