Health IQ: ‘Grey divorce’ on the rise in Canada. Why?

Exploring the rise of ‘grey divorce’ in Canada

In Canada, older couples are increasingly opting for divorce, with women often bearing a heavier mental and financial burden, recent research shows.

Referred to as “grey divorce”, the trend of couples aged 50 years and older splitting up has seen a notable increase in recent years, according to Statistics Canada.

This surge is propelled by a combination of factors, including evolving social norms, financial independence and a pursuit of personal fulfillment.

The breakdown of a marriage is never easy, but divorce at an older age beyond 50 has its unique set of challenges, experts say.

Kevin Caspersz, a family lawyer in Vaughan, Ont., said in the past 10 years, he has seen an increase in “grey divorce”, particularly with individuals 65 or older seeking to end their marriages.

“It’s definitely more prevalent over the years,” he said. “They (senior couples) look at it as they only have so much more time left to enjoy life and if they’re not happy in their relationship, the children have left the home. (There’s an) empty nest, they see no reason in continuing the marriage.”

Read more about the reasons behind the rise of grey divorce and its disproportionate impact on women.

Leftover rice: harmless or hazardous?

Leftover rice may seem harmless, but it could harbor hidden dangers, food experts warn.

Bacillus cereus, a heat-tolerant bacterium found in rice, can multiply rapidly if not stored properly, potentially leading to foodborne illness.

The toxin it produces can cause severe symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea, and in rare cases, even death.

While this risk isn’t as common in Canada due to stringent food safety standards, it’s essential to handle rice with care, warned Jason Tetro, a microbiologist based in Edmonton.

“The problem with this bacterium is that it creates spores, and these spores are heat tolerant, which means that even if you happen to cook your rice, if the spores are there, then they will allow for the germination or the growth of the bacterium when it gets back to that normal temperature.”

This means once the rice comes back to room temperature, it creates ideal conditions for the rice to multiply and produce toxins.

Read more about the bacteria and tips on how to properly cook and store rice.

— THE TOPIC —

A smartphone app for birth control

— WHAT EXPERTS ARE SAYING —

As some women explore alternatives to traditional birth control methods, contraceptive apps like Natural Cycles are gaining attention.

However, some health experts question the reliability of this tech-driven approach to birth control.

Natural Cycles, previously marketed in Canada as a fertility tracker, became the first app authorized by Health Canada last month as a contraceptive medical device.

The app is a form of natural and hormone-free contraception that allows users to track their fertility to know when it’s safe for them to have unprotected sex and not get pregnant.

While some people are hailing it as a hormone-free alternative to birth control pills, others, such as Diane Francoeur, CEO of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, say relying on a smartphone app to deter pregnancy is “playing with fire.”

“The first question is: do you want to take a chance to be pregnant or not? If the answer is no, this is not for you,” she told Global News.

However, others are more optimistic about the app.

Shae-Lynn Graham, a 23-year-old from North Bay, Ont., said she has had a positive experience using the app as a form of birth control.

“I started just wanting to gain more knowledge about my cycle,” she told Global News. “The app is user-friendly, and allowed my naturopath to gain some insight about my personal health.”