Our skin is an organ that absorbs everything on it, passing it along through the bloodstream. This includes any skincare products we apply to our skin. Mainstream skincare and beauty products have a long shelf life and look and smell nice. However, most of them contain chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, synthetic colors, formaldehyde, fragrances and propylene glycol. These can trigger or exacerbate an array of problems including allergies, hormone disruption and can even act as irritants and carcinogens. When looking for skin care products, look for brands that are truly transparent and list ingredients you understand.
Community News
Are You Having Fun?
As an older adult, you know that you need to stay active for optimal mental and physical health. But are you having FUN? Fun and joy are what make us feel truly alive, engaged, and connected to others. The world becomes more vibrant and inviting when we give ourselves permission to laugh and play. Every senior deserves to pursue enjoyable pastimes that make him or her lose track of time or feel like a goofy kid at heart. Plus, many of the best activities for senior citizens cost little or no money. Explore activities that spark the kid in you!
Community Profile – Woodgrove Manor
For your loved one whose health demands a heightened level of care there is Trillium Boutique Senior Living. Footsteps from shopping and dining, and with easy accessibility to the Island’s northern communities, Woodgrove Manor is a 43-suite home, centrally located in Nanaimo. Nestled in the scenic Woodgrove neighbourhood, its interiors are inspired by nature, bringing the outdoors in with oversized windows and natural light. Nurses provide 24-hour support for long-term residents’ unique health challenges, from falls and immobility to memory loss and dementia. The homes are equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure the safety of your loved ones.
Safe Senior Living Communities
With COVID-19 outbreaks in long term care homes, many independent (IL) and assisted living (AL) retirement communities have proven to be safe and supportive environments for seniors during these times. For seniors living on their own, buying groceries, staying connected and maintaining physical and mental health have become increasingly daunting. Retirement Living might be the solution to the challenges Covid-19 has presented by offering hospitality and support services in a safe setting. If you’ve been thinking about making a move, reach out to some local retirement communities and inquire about their COVID-19 response plan and how they have modified their operations to continue creating meaningful engagement for their residents.
Starting the Conversation
Starting a discussion about care needs with a senior loved one can be difficult. Deciding when to start the conversation is important. It is never too early to discuss what care might be needed and the desires of the person that will be receiving care. Nine out of 10 seniors want to remain in their home as they age and in-home care can help them. There are many options for in-home care, from the type of care services to the number of hours a week. Making plans before there is an emergency or sudden problem in the senior’s home helps alleviate stress for everyone.
Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist?
Dental offices follow very strict guidelines set by the BC Centre of Disease Control as well as the College of Dental Surgeons of BC. The flow within the office will be highly regulated and there will be more forms and questionnaires to answer. Staff will be wearing a greater amount of PPE and barrier equipment to ensure the patient’s safety. Most offices are also adding air filtration and viral killing UVC light technology. This is part of the layering strategies that makes dental offices safer than a public space. Dental offices can see less patients in a day so there may be minor delays getting an appointment.
Help at the Push of a Button
Falls are a real concern for older adults. The good news is that most falls are preventable. Seniors can lower their risks by changing risky behaviour, proactively managing their health, and safety proofing their homes. Talk to your primary care provider about a fall-risk evaluation. Ask yourself, if I were to fall tonight, how would I get help if I couldn’t reach the phone? A medical alert service ensures that you can access help 24/7 at the push of a button. Some services also offer automatic fall detection. It’s never too early to protect yourself before a fall. Take these precautions today to live more independently and confidently.
Time to Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet?
Here are a few tip to clean up your Medicine Cabinet and other places where medication and vitamins are stored: *Gather all medications in one place. *Check the expiry date of each item. *Set aside any medications that you no longer take or has expired. *Set aside any medication that is not in its original container or whose appearance, consistency or odour has changed. Take all discarded mediations and vitamins to your pharmacist for safe and ecological disposal. Do not throw them into the waste basket, sink or toilet. The Medicine Shoppe can help with the cleanup process and disposal.
Keep Moving!
Daily movement is essential for physical and mental wellness especially during COVID-19 restrictions and isolation. Healthy movement can be as easy as a bike ride with your family, a walk on the beach, playing tag with the kids or doing your stretch routine. At minimum, keeping up a gentle movement routine such as stretching or prescribed stretches and exercises from your Physiotherapist is beneficial. Whatever movement you do, do what you love because that is what makes it worth doing!
Explore Parks and Trails in Nanaimo
The City of Nanaimo’s “Find the Golden Bucket Contest” is a great opportunity to explore our parks and trails and a chance to win some cool prizes. Each Wednesday, check our website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (@nanaimoparksandrec) for a clue that will take you to a local park. Find the Golden Bucket Sticker in the park for a question about that park. Submit your answer for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize of a Kayak Tour for you and four of your friends courtesy of Coastal Expression Adventure Centre. Contact us for more information.
Funerals During COVID-19
A funeral can be extremely difficult under the best of circumstances. Losing a loved one during a global pandemic adds another layer of challenge to loss that we couldn’t have previously imagined. With strict physical distancing mandates that limit the number of people who can gather, many wonder if you can even still have a funeral. The answer is yes, but by finding different ways to say goodbye. Funerals during COVID-19 are more personal and intimate. Many families view this funeral as the first act of memorialization and have postponed a more fulsome service until it is safe for a larger group to gather for a celebration of life.
