Are you afraid of falling? There are many risk factors in addition to mobility issues that can lead to falls. This includes sensory deficits that involve problems with sensation in the eyes, ears, or feet. Have your eyesight and hearing checked regularly and talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing numbness in your feet. Going quickly from lying down or sitting to a standing position can cause the blood pressure to drop. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded when standing, sit down until your head clears, stand up slowly, and ensure you have a good footing before taking a step.
Community News
Choose Organic Sunscreen
Do we need sunscreen when it is cloudy? When it is sunny outside, we tend to be good at slathering on the sunscreen, but did you know that up to 40 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day? Using sunscreen everyday protects us from harmful radiation from the sun and reduces our risk for skin cancer, premature aging and sunburns. Today, there are many organic sunscreen options available. Your local health store can help you find one with organic ingredients, that is well-rated by the Environmental Working Group and that provides broad spectrum protection.
Use Natural, Organic Products for Healthy Skin
With the sunny weather, more of our skin is on display and exposed to the elements. We want our skin to look smooth and healthy; healthy skin is vital to our survival. Our skin is an organ that we wear on the outside to protect what is inside. The products that we put on our skin and on our faces are just as important as what we put into our body. To avoid harmful chemicals and allergens, use skin products made with pure organic essential oils and natural ingredients to hydrate, nourish, pamper and repair your skin – naturally. Make sure to read the label. Look for skincare products with no nasty chemicals, preservatives or artificial fragrances.
Celebrate Aging!
We often hear the negative about seniors in our society, rather than celebrating them. Seniors offer wisdom and life experience integral to the fabric of a vibrant community. They contribute by shopping, using services (keeping people employed), and paying taxes. Seniors volunteer and make more charitable donations than any other age groups do. Many organizations could not function without them. Additionally, they help with babysitting and caregiving for spouses and friends, ultimately helping others to successfully “age in place”. Take the time to acknowledge the contributions made by seniors. By making our community more age-friendly, we can all play a role in inspiring more intergenerational understanding and connection.
Health Benefit of Live Performances
Attending a live performance is a positive, communal event that makes you feel connected to other people, which in turn is good for your mental outlook and longevity. Watching a play allows the audience to access different emotions. Whether a tragedy or a musical, there’s likely an element of the storyline that extends beyond personal life experiences. While all types of theater performances have benefits, plays and musicals that make you laugh may be the best choice for your mental and emotional health. Laughter is great for relieving stress and stimulating organs and boosting the brain’s feel-good chemicals, endorphins,
Family Caregiver Symposium
Being responsible for your parent’s wellbeing is hard. Many family caregivers struggle to cope with chores, challenges, life, health and work. The Family Caregiver Symposium is for YOU if *You are overwhelmed with caregiving * Want help but don’t know where to turn, *Face tough decisions *Mourn the relationship you once had. You will learn * How to cope during your caregiving years *Ways to ease your emotional rollercoaster * Ideas to make life better. The Family Caregiver Symposium offers support, educates & empowers caregivers who are responsible for their parents’ wellbeing. Learn from Expert Speakers and Resources, meet our Caregiver Panel and enjoy the Caregiver Appreciation Hour.
Responsible Gambling
Gambling “responsibly” means different things to different people. Everyone has their own idea of what “responsible”, “safe” or “fun” looks like. Regardless of what responsible gambling means to you or to someone else, some common themes of Responsible Gambling include: 1) always make informed decisions about gambling 2) only gamble with money that isn’t needed for something else; 3) have an awareness of how gambling works and the common false beliefs that can get people into trouble & 4) be aware of your own feelings to avoid being frustrated, anxious or depressed when gambling.
Do You Have Selective Hearing?
Think you’d notice if you have impaired hearing? Think again. Those with hearing loss are often the last ones to recognize it. Unless the impairment occurs through sudden physical or medical-related trauma, hearing loss generally occurs slowly over time. This gradual change presents itself as people mumbling, unclear voices, or difficulty hearing through background noise. Friends and family are usually the first to notice when they aren’t being heard, or when they are consistently asked to repeat themselves. You may be tempted to brush it off as selective hearing. But if those close to you have said they suspect you have a hearing loss, it’s time to get your hearing checked.
Importance of Good Dental Hygiene
Most dental problems are caused by bacteria, including damage caused to the gums surrounding the teeth and damage to the teeth themselves. Tissue surrounding the teeth includes the soft gums and the bone. Bacteria that hide along the gum line or in tartar that builds up on teeth attack those surrounding tissues, causing inflammation typically seen as bleeding. As this continues, it can melt the bone around the teeth causing root exposure and pockets where more bacteria can hide. This in turn leads to the loosening and eventual loss of teeth. Good dental hygiene is the most important treatment, including regular cleaning and check-ups starting from a very young age.
I Can Hear, but Cannot Understand
High frequency consonants are responsible for the clarity of speech. When people hear the low and medium pitches well, they hear that someone is speaking, but if they have high frequency hearing loss, they miss the high pitches. Deprivation can happen when people wait a long time before addressing their hearing loss auditory. When the auditory centers of the brain and the auditory nerves are not stimulate properly they can weaken over time. This results in a decline in a person’s speech processing ability. Contact a Hearing Care Professional for a FREE hearing test and take your first steps towards better hearing.
Staying Social with Hearing Loss
For someone with hearing loss, social situations are challenging. Help improve communication with them by following these simple tips:
• Gain their attention before you begin talking.
• Speak naturally & don’t shout. Speak distinctly, at a normal rate, using pauses to give the person time to process speech.
• Keep your hands away from your face while talking.
• Avoid sudden changes of topic. And if the subject is changed, tell them what you are talking about now.
• Seat them where they can see as many faces as possible.
• Check in. If you think your listener may not be following, convey the information again in shorter, clearer sentences.
