Centenarians, the “grand generation”

Laurette Hinse welcomed us to her 1 and a half nursing home in Victoriaville. He’ll be 103 on Aug. 12 and it’s not showing. He was solid, perfectly bright. I try to live as long as possible and try not to give work to others! My luck is because I am independent.

The secret to its longevity? He didn’t know, but he had been active all his life. I started teaching in 1936 for $ 150 a year! Funny, huh? Duplessis is the prime minister, and we all want to suppress him!

She talks about growing up in a farming family in Tingwick where 13 children live. Then he focused on his wife. Ovide worked in an asbestos mine. They often danced together, they even won a trophy. He died in 1994.

” We have three people in our family who have just died in two months. Younger than me! So, you know … I see them leaving … there’s nothing behind you there. “

He felt good in his small residence, and fortunately, because of the health measures imposed during COVID, he had to survive five periods of incarceration. She remembers a difficult month after her surgery to replace the hip … at 100 years old.

I left the hospital, I was 14 days in another house. I’m leaving this house, I’m going home and I’ll do another 14 days! Ouch, you want to die! But let’s go through, he said smiling. He caught COVID. He was sick for two days, then he felt better.

On a piece of furniture, we see family photos. Laurette Hinse is blessed with two daughters, five grandchildren and eight great -grandchildren. They call him and sometimes visit him. Life is better then. Me, I’m not yet ready to say that the elderly have forgotten, he says, is also a reference to his inclusion in Quebec society. Except that sometimes his daughters had to help him.

If I need to call a doctor, a robot answers us. The robot always says I didn’t understand your name! … This is not a service for seniors. Is it her priority to see her doctor at age 102? It can take six months to get an appointment!reply by Ms. Hinse, attacked the lack of health personnel.

He also told us about the day he wanted to replace his television. The employee didn’t take him seriously on the phone when he told him his age. It’s like a punishment to be 102 years old!

These barriers do not prevent him from being happy anyway. Her recipe: Find things that will make us happy. If you wait for someone else, you can wait a long time!

Guy Paquet, 101 years old

Guy Paquet put on his beautiful salmon shirt to greet us. He was quietly waiting for us in the entrance hall of his residence in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville. Therefore, we don’t see the stationary bike at the top in its housing, but we quickly understand that it is a sportsman despite its 101 years. He walked fast and slow.

We went outside for an interview. My parents put me as a boarder in a private college, and then, I exercised. And sport, no laugh! This is a good starthe began to explain his good looks. I have a hard time sleeping, but that’s a small detail.

On a daily basis, he is not bored: I do a 25 minute walk, I watch the news on TV, I read my newspaper, which takes at least two hours. Then there are all kinds of activities: washing clothes, washing dishes … And he started laughing.

He added that he still goes to the cinema with friend. She also has a 59-year-old son whom she always sees.

Guy Paquet was careful and thoughtful for a long time before speaking, but when it came to his 35 years of service in the Armed Forces, words fell through. He fought in France, a month after the Normandy landings. I was part of an artillery unit. We ship a 100-pound shell. It’s not near the line of fire, it’s more in the rear. We are less at risk.

He knew very well what was happening in Ukraine. Oh my God, it’s horrible … it’s ruining a beautiful country. War is always something to be avoided.

His wife was called Cécile Migneault. He died in 2015, he said after a few seconds of reflection. He rocks his chair in silence and thinks of all those who are gone. Emotions rise, his thoughts travel. I really want to … come back. It’s slower.

He returned to the subject; The world is moving too fast today for his liking. My God, super fast, sudden change. The Internet, for example, surpasses this.

” I find that Humanity is not doing well. “

He’s fine, he assures us. She regrets the lack of healthy staff, but for now, at least, she maintains the shape and feeling that the employees in her residence take care of her. He handed us our microphone and he went home for lunch. Always straight like an oak tree.

Helene Girard, 98 years old

On May 6, Hélène Girard celebrated her 98th birthday at a residence in Saint-Bruno and her two daughters came to bring her flowers. I never thought I would go there. Never. I am lucky with my children. Many. They helped me to continue my walk. I don’t know when it will stop.

To see her energy when she dances standing on her walker, this path could continue for several years. The secret is … I don’t know … to eat well, to take care of the rest of us.

His hearing, however, failed him. We should speak out loud and repeat the questions. That does not prevent her from watching RDI, she likes Patrice Roy, she confides to us.

Aging still poses barriers for this formerly hyperactive and efficient worker. He is struggling. I always work, I always volunteer, anything … If I have to do something, I want to be bored. I can go on writing my life, but I have a hard time writing.

On the other hand, he has all his memories and tells us about his past activism for the Parti Québécois and his admiration for René Lévesque, whom he has met several times. He still dreams of a country: I trust Quebec. Yes, I want to do that before I leave!he said before laughing out loud.

But his eyes redden when he speaks of his great love: I have been alone for 25 years, I have lived 50 years with my husband. I encourage myself all the time, I always look forward to get better, I fight all the time.

He was often a burden of grief. Can’t talk to someone. It is in prayer that I can meet myself, that I can speak.

Despite these times, she was fortunate to have her children and family. And to be properly surrounded in his dwelling. I’ve been here 15 years! Ahhh, I have great memories, very good memories!

Hélène Girard took her walker and left carrying flowers. Everyone wished him a happy birthday. In the dwelling, it is the star of the sun. Last year, Canada had 110,705 seniors aged 94 and older like him, 19 percent more than in 2015. Statistics Canada called them the great generation.