I have noticed lately that it is not always good news for seniors on the North Shore.
Seniors are facing rising costs (especially food), lack of affordable housing, and the growing impacts of climate change, all of which are taking a toll on their well-being.
So, what about a fun quiz to cheer us up a bit? I know some of you may think these questions are too easy – the quiz questions are not supposed to be rocket science since they are really testing your knowledge of the columns I have written over the last few years.
For hints to the answers see my Older and Wiser columns on the North Shore News or Lionsview websites. The answers to the questions are all true or false, and the answer key is at the end of the column. Just have fun, and if you are finding the quiz too easy, perhaps time yourself.
1. Seniors centres are not an asset in the community. True or false?
2. Short of getting hearing aids, an older person can do nothing about hearing loss. True or false?
3. In extreme weather situations, seniors face more increased risk factors than do other age groups. True or false?
4. Older people cannot learn a new skill. True or false?
5. Lifelong learning has no tangible affect on seniors. True or false?
6. Most seniors have no interest in, or ability to use, the latest technologies. True or false?
7. Older people are often assumed to be frail or dependent and a burden to society. True or false?
8. Seniors should prepare to live a long life, most of it independently at home. True or false?
9. Often older people are seen as a homogeneous group with no differences. True or false?
10. Ageism has no affect on seniors. True or false?
11. Compared with two decades ago, seniors remaining active in the labour market in their late 60s and into their 70s has increased. True or false?
12. COVID-19 does not pose a risk to seniors anymore. True or false?
13. Older people supply much of the caregiving for their aging family and friends. True or false?
14. Most older people are inactive as they age. True or false?
15. Seniors are adaptable to change. True or false?
16. Though people of all ages can be victims of fraud, older people get targeted more than others. True or false?
17. Being scammed or the victim of fraud cannot be prevented. True or false?
18. Older people are mostly unaware of issues that affect them such the impact of climate change. True or false?
19. Ninety-five per cent of British Columbia seniors aged 65 and older live independently, while 77 per cent aged 85 and older live independently. True or false?
20. Six per cent of the population aged 65+ are diagnosed with dementia, and this rises to 20 per cent for seniors 85+. True or false?
21. Transportation has recently been recognized as a key determinant of health for older adults in B.C. True or false?
22. Immunization is a global health and development success story, saving millions of lives every year. True or false?
23. As you age there is nothing you can do to prevent falls. True or false?
Answer key: Statements 3, 7, 8, 9, 11,13,15,16.19,20,21 and 22 are true, all the rest are false.
Happy new year.
Margaret Coates is the co-ordinator of Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society. She has lived on the North Shore for 54 years and has worked for and with seniors for 27 of those years. Ideas for future columns are welcome. Email [email protected].
