When we invest in our health and well-being, we can become more resilient and live longer and healthier lives.
Many things can influence how we age, including:
When we invest in healthy aging, we can reduce the cost of health care. Older adults can live longer, healthier lives by:
When older people are connected to others, everyone benefits. Seniors benefit from social connections in several ways:
How to connect with others:
There are many resources to help you learn about how to make healthy choices as you age.
Good nutrition is important at any age. Eating well helps you feel your best each day. Healthy eating will help to prevent or manage heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers. Consider some of the topics below?
Explore these topics and more at: A guide to healthy eating for older adults and Healthy Eating for Seniors
Learn more about food security offerings like Meals on Wheels.
Back to TopAlzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease. Several changes occur in the brain of people with Alzheimer's:
While brain cells damaged by Alzheimer's disease cannot be restored, there are treatments and strategies that can help both the person with the disease and caregiver.
For more information on Alzheimer's and related Dementias' supports, strategies and treatments please visit:
More than 300,000 Canadians are living with disabilities or impairments because of stroke. In Manitoba, approximately seven people a day will suffer a stroke. Stroke has a significant and lasting impact on individuals, their families, and the health care system.
The Manitoba Health Stroke Strategy has information and resources about:
Sexual health and intimacy are important at any age. While most seniors want to remain sexually active, the natural aging process may put a strain on one's ability to fulfill those desires.
Supportive and safe relationships along with good self-esteem and respect continue to be important factors.
To learn more visit: Healthy Sexuality
Back to TopAs life expectancy continues to grow, healthy, active aging becomes a priority. Quitting smoking, even after the age of 65, has positive effects on your health and the quality of your life as you age.
To learn more visit: Smoking, Vaping Control & Cessation
Back to TopSometimes, despite our best efforts, we find ourselves in circumstances out of our control. If you or someone you know has a mental health issue or addictions problem, help is available.
Mental health relates to your emotional and psychological well-being. Mental Health is much more than the absence of a mental illness. Having good mental health means having a positive sense of well-being. It means you have a belief in your own and others' dignity and worth.
Recovering your health and wellness is a journey. It builds on individual, family, cultural, and community strengths. There are a variety of services, supports and treatments available.
Find help and resources for mental health and addictions supports at: Mental Health and Community Wellness
For more resources:
Physical activity increases energy levels, helps us manage stress and strengthens the heart and lungs. The result is a better quality of life for people of all ages.
Many factors influence the aging process including healthy behaviours, income, housing, education, environment, and social connectedness.
Older adults live longer and lead healthier lives when they:
For more resources on active living:
Spending time with others is important for seniors' mental and emotional health. It also impacts their physical well-being. It is important for seniors and their family members to encourage more social interaction.
There are several risk factors that can lead to isolation:
Find activities and opportunity for social connection:
For more recreational ideas contact 211 Manitoba:
Registration cards issued by the Insured Benefits Branch confirms your eligibility for provincial health care. It is valid as long as you live in Manitoba. Always carry it with you. Be prepared to show it whenever you or a family member requires health services.
Manitoba Health issues a Registration Card to all residents.
It includes:
New for 2023
Manitoba Health is changing the Family Registration Number from a six-digit number (e.g.12345) to an alphanumeric format (e.g. A12345, 1A2345). This change only affects NEW health numbers. All current numbers will stay the same and Manitoba Health cards will continue to look the same.
When entering this new number in any system, the alpha characters must be in capital letters. Contact information will be included on your new Manitoba Health Card. It will also include information on how to be an organ and tissue donor -- learn more at signupforlife.ca.
If you are looking for a home clinic in Manitoba, Family Doctor Finder can help you find one.
A home clinic is a patient-centred family practice that a patient/client identifies as the place that serves as a home base or central hub for timely care and coordination of all your health and medical needs over time.
For more information and to find a Family Doctor, please visit Family Doctor Finder.
Back to TopAs people age, caring for your health is more important than ever. The Manitoba government provides special health benefits to support seniors.
To learn more about these benefits explore the links below.
Manitoba Health encourages all Manitobans to get their seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine. Available free of charge every fall, the vaccine protects you, and those around you, from the flu and its complications. Everyone who is 65 years of age and older should receive the high dose flu vaccine because it provides a stronger immune response than the standard dose. The flu vaccine is recommended especially for people with chronic health conditions and those living in personal care homes or long-term care facilities.
Did you know?
Pharmacists can administer COVID and flu vaccines.
Health Canada recommends COVID-19 vaccines for all Manitobans aged 6 months and older. The vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe disease and are especially important for those at greater risk of severe symptoms. Older Manitobans and those with certain health conditions are at greater risk. Immunity against COVID decreases over time, so it is important to get a booster dose of the vaccine. Even if you have had a COVID infection, that immunity will also wane over time. That's why it's important to get a booster dose -- to recharge your immunity.
For more information on your eligibility visit: ProtectMB.ca
Free flu and COVID-19 vaccines are offered at a variety of sites:
You can use the interactive Vaccine Finder Map to locate a vaccine nearest to you.
For more information on immunization schedule please visit: Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults
For Immunization schedule for Individuals NOT previously immunized please visit: Adults 18 years of age and older, NOT previously immunized
Manitobans aged 65 and older should also ensure they have received a pneumonia (pneumococcal polysaccharide or Pneu-P-23) vaccine since turning 65. It can be administered at the same time as the flu vaccine. Both the flu and the pneumonia vaccine are offered at no charge for people aged 65 and older. Some people are eligible to also receive the pneumococcal conjugate (Pneu-C-13) vaccine free-of-charge. To arrange for your vaccination, speak with your health care provider.
For more information visit: Manitoba's Immunization Program
A tetanus booster (Td vaccine) is recommended every 10 years.
Pertussis (whooping cough) can also cause severe disease in adults. Hospitalization from pertussis is more common after the age of 65, especially in those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you have not previously received a pertussis vaccine as an adult, it is recommended to get the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for your next tetanus booster.
For more information, visit Routine Immunization Schedules
If you have any questions about seasonal flu or immunization:
Foot care is an important component of aging in place. As we age, it may become difficult for us to take care of our feet, which may lead to common foot ailments thus decreasing our ability to be active.
In Manitoba, foot care is provided by certified Foot Care Nurses. To hire a foot care nurse near you please visit: Manitoba Association of Foot Care Nurses - Find a Foot Care Nurse
In the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, foot care services are offered free to people who may need financial assistance. For more information visit: NorWest Co-op Community Health - Foot Care
Back to TopThere are 229,050 Manitobans aged 65 or older living in the province. This is 17 per cent of the total population. Of that group, 29,255 are aged 85 or older.
There are many factors that contribute to our health, well-being, happiness and success. The Manitoba government has created profiles to better understand older people. The profiles include several aspects, such as:
Some themes and highlights of the report include:
The Demographic Profile of Older Manitobans is available for download.
Manitoba Government Inquiry
Call: 204-945-3744
Toll-free: 1-866-MANITOBA (1-866-626-4862)
E-mail: mgi@gov.mb.ca