Spring is in the air! Wouldn’t it be great if you could smell it? Studies show that smokers lose some of their ability to smell. That can make life a lot less pleasurable. If you lose your sense of smell, you can’t appreciate the scent of spring flowers or freshly mowed lawn. Eating becomes a lot less rewarding too, since aroma contributes a great deal to the flavor of food. Life could even become more dangerous, since you may be less able to detect the odor of a gas leak or a house fire. There is some good news, however: Quit smoking and your sense of smell quickly returns.
Community News
Natural Product Spotlight: Colflex® by Innotech™
ColFlex® Super Oregano Oil Spray is a great-tasting 4-in-1 oral spray containing essential oils of oregano, thyme, and spearmint oil in an extra virgin olive oil base, sweetened with stevia and fortified with vitamin D3. Spray orally to help relieve coughs, sore throat, travelling challenges, that “under the weather feeling” and for general oral hygiene and fresher breath. Lab tests show that ColFlex inhibited the growth of bacteria such as S. aureus and S. pneumonia after 27 minutes and inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. typhi after 9 minutes. Colflex® is proudly made right here in Winnipeg.
Springtime Pests and Your Pets
Spring brings pleasant weather, but also a host of pests that can target your furry friend. Fleas, ticks, and other outdoor pests become active as soon as it gets warmer outside, so spring is a good time to treat your pets and prevent pests from becoming an issue. Be sure to thoroughly brush your pet after they’ve been outdoors and clean any areas of your home where they spend most of their time. Check your pet frequently for signs of bites, and promptly remove any pests you may find. Finally, ask your veterinarian what products can safely help control pests.
Jan and Jack
Jan & Jack live in a custom home they built many years ago. When they reached retirement they still had a mortgage and inadequate cash-flow to help them make ends meet.
After speaking a mortgage advisor, they discovered the CHIP Reverse Mortgage. With this financial tool they were able to access $387,000 of their home’s equity, which allowed them to pay off their existing mortgage and invest in solar panels that ended up providing them an extra $800/month. Today, Jan & Jack have paid off their mortgage, have increased their monthly cash flow, and enjoy every day of retirement in their dream home.
Aging At Home
Many seniors would prefer to stay at home than move into a senior care home, but there are some challenges to consider. Factors like finances, physical mobility, social network, health concerns, and safety in the home are all things to think about. If you decide to remain in your home, discuss your plans with your family or a trusted advisor. It’s important to prepare your home to ensure you can live comfortably and safely there, using various aids and tools to make things easier. In-home care can also provide much-needed day-to-day support, as well as transportation to appointments and gatherings.
Caregivers – Take Care
Recovery from a brain injury takes a long time. Caregivers need to be prepared for the hard work and long road ahead. Dedicated practice means millions of attempts to change the brain and allow the arm, leg or speech to recover. Be patient and supportive, but don’t do too much. Encourage independence. Don’t let yourself get to the end of your rope and burned out. Find ways to cope. Recognize when you need help and ask for it. Relationships evolve and change after a brain injury. Roles and personalities may change. Talk about it. Focus on the good in your life. Find support.
Community Profile
Bliss Yoga Studio and Wellness Centre is owned and operated by long-time Ladysmith residents, Clayton and Alison Strom. This cozy boutique studio and wellness centre in downtown Ladysmith is also their home. Whether you take one of the many unique or traditional yoga classes offered in the Studio or visit them downstairs in the Wellness Centre for alternative therapies for pain and injury, they look forward to meeting you. Clayton and Alison are proud to be Islanders and welcome all abilities, shapes, sizes and genders. Along your journey to health and wellness, they hope to help you find your personal path to bliss…
Tea and Toast Syndrome
“Tea and toast syndrome” refers to malnutrition in seniors when a lack of desire or inability to prepare and/or eat proper meals results in them relying on simpler meals like tea and toast. Seniors who skip meals almost daily, have gained/lost more than 10 pounds in the past six months, take medications, have dental issues, or have a disability can be at risk for malnutrition. Some common signs to watch for include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, memory issues, digestive issues, a weak immune system, muscle weakness, and anemia. There are support services available to help seniors eat well and regularly!
Gambling Outreach Support
If you are looking for support or an alternative to counselling, you can easily access our team of outreach specialists. They can provide support, assist with personal goals and connect individuals and families with harm reduction resources and appropriate services. They are a resource that provides information, support, referrals, and accompaniment to resources, including: *peer support organizations (such as 12 Step groups or Smart Recovery), *online self-help resources, *community support organizations (legal services, housing services, community mental health services, and many others). They can be reached by phone, text messaging, web chat, or in person. All services are free of charge.
Not Getting Enough ZZZZ’s?
We know that a good diet and exercise will help keep us healthy but did you know that not getting enough sleep has a negative impact on your health? Short term problems include *Lack of alertness, *Impaired memory and ability to think, *Relationship stress and quality of life. Serious health issues related to insufficient sleep include, *Weight gain, *Increased risk of heart disease and stroke,* High Blood pressure, *Lack of sex drive. It is time to make sleep a priority. Let’s get sufficient sleep, starting tonight! Come in and discuss the various sleep products available to help you!
Digestive Health
Today we recognize the importance of having the right kind of bacteria in our gut. Probiotics are a certain type of bacteria that provides health benefits when eaten. The use of probiotics have been shown to reduce overall symptoms and abdominal pain. Clinical trials showed that probiotics are overall effective treatments for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Probiotics may also reduce the amount of H. pylori bacteria in the gut, speeding up the healing process of peptic ulcers. Experts agree that the benefits of probiotics are strain-specific. Speak to your pharmacist to determine which probiotic is right for you.
