As cooler weather arrives, it brings some safety concerns that are obvious, like icy sidewalks, and some that are harder to see—it’s also the season for respiratory viruses. Older Canadians can be at higher risk for short or long-term impacts from an infection, so it’s important for them to take steps to stay safe.

Here are some simple steps that Canadians can take:

• Wash your hands often. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public spaces.

• Be mindful of the items you carry with you. Phones, keys, wallets and reusable shopping bags all have the potential to carry germs—wipe them down regularly.

• Avoid peak hours in crowded indoor places like stores or pharmacies. If you can’t avoid crowds, wear a well-fitted mask.

• Consider getting vaccinated. There are preventive options, including vaccination, that can help protect you during respiratory virus season.

Why are older Canadians at greater risk?

While the flu and common cold often get the most attention, another virus is also circulating: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It’s a common contagious virus affecting the lungs and breathing passages and can be serious for children as well as adults.

RSV can lead to serious complications for those over the age of 50 and those with chronic health conditions. For higher-risk individuals, an infection can result in hospitalization and long-term impacts.

Many aren’t aware of the risks

Adults with conditions such as asthma, heart disease, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or diabetes are especially vulnerable. A recent survey found that many are unaware about the specific risks of RSV.

37 per cent of individuals with chronic lung conditions polled reported flare ups triggered by an infection, 30 per cent didn’t know about the increased risk of hospitalisation from RSV. Similarly, nearly half of respondents with cardiovascular conditions and diabetes weren’t aware of how the virus raises their risk for serious complications related to their conditions.

In Canada, it’s estimated that more than 23,000 adults aged 60 and older are hospitalized with RSV every year.

Becoming aware of the risks is the first step towards getting better protected. You can also speak to your healthcare provider about proactive, preventative measures you can take to protect yourself from RSV, especially if you’re 60 or older or living with a chronic health condition. Taking small precautions can make a big difference to your health.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can significantly affect a person's mobility, a challenge that often interferes with daily routines and independence. More than 70 per cent of people living with MS experience gait issues that make walking and day-to-day activities more difficult. But there are ways to help adjust to the change, and even regain some mobility.

Make your everyday spaces safer. Simple adjustments at home can make a meaningful difference in supporting smoother movement and improving gait. Rearranging furniture to create clear walking paths, adding non-slip mats in frequently used spaces and installing handrails near stairs and entrances can help maintain steadier steps and promote more confident walking.

On the road, choosing vehicles with higher seating or small modifications, such as installing assistive handles, can make entering and exiting easier and less tiring. These changes help conserve energy and reduce strain, especially for those with limited mobility.

Stay active and build your strength. Engaging in regular, gentle physical routines is another way to manage MS-related mobility issues. Activities such as stretching and supervised strength training can help improve coordination and stability over time.

Working with occupational or physical therapists can also provide personalized guidance on exercises, home adaptations and assistive devices to support daily independence.

Learn your therapy options. For Canadians living with MS who continue to face gait challenges despite conventional treatment, there are new tools available that are helping fill gaps in care, like Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) therapy. It’s an orally applied therapy that delivers neurostimulation to the surface of the tongue through a mouthpiece connected to a controller. Used alongside physical rehabilitation exercises, it durably improves gait and mobility over a 14-week period: two weeks of in-clinic sessions, followed by 12 weeks’ therapy at home.

Along with a therapy that helps build mobility, those living with MS can expand their rehabilitation routine and push themselves further towards independence.