Community News
Avoiding Medication Mistakes

Medications play an important role in maintaining health and longevity for many of us as we get older. Taking multiple medications can be challenging. Here are some helpful hints to manage your medications effectively: 1) Follow the instructions for each medication carefully. 2) Shake bottles of liquid medications before use. 3) Take all medications as prescribed. 4) Use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions. 5) Report any unusual symptoms to your doctor. 6) Never stop taking a medication suddenly without checking with your doctor. 7) Most importantly, conduct annual medication reviews with your doctor or pharmacist.

Denise Metcalfe, Executive Director, ComoxValleyLifeline.com

Mom Will Love Luxurious Skincare

Mother’s Day comes only once a year, so show your mom (or the mother of your children) how grateful you are that she is in your life. Chocolates, flowers and brunch are conventional ways to celebrate the day.  This year – why not try something different? What mother would not love to receive something EXTRA SPECIAL – luxurious skincare products that hydrate, nourish and pamper her skin?  Look for natural, handcrafted skin products made with the purest organic essential oils, without harmful chemicals or allergens. That SPECIAL WOMAN in your life deserves them.

Feisty Ferdy Organic Skin Care, FeistyFerdy.ca

Why Do Some People Mumble?

Hearing loss can set in gradually over many years.  Some sounds get quieter, while soft and high-pitched sounds like consonants can be harder to hear.  When someone talks, you don’t hear each word clearly and thus, they seem to ‘mumble’. It may also sound like people are talking too fast because the ears didn’t pick up every sound causing the brain to take longer to put the pieces together. Having a hearing aid tuned to your specific hearing loss will allow you to hear those soft sounds that you would otherwise miss, reducing the cognitive load and frustrations.

NexGen Hearing, NexGenHearing.com

Spring Detox

Here are some tips for spring wellness: • Drink lemon or apple cider vinegar water first thing in morning. • Cut out processed sugar and junk food and limit gluten, dairy, and meat consumption. • Include fermented, probiotic-rich foods in your diet. • Drink at least 10 glasses of water and herbal teas such as dandelion, nettle ginger, turmeric, tulsi, and green every day. • Consider taking an occasional dose of aloe vera and/or milk thistle. • Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetable and maybe add in a daily greens powder like moringa or chlorella.

Tina Foster, RHN, Essential Remedies, EssentialRemedies.ca

Does Culture Shape Gambling?

Throughout history, gambling has been a part of most cultures around the world. From the earliest playing with bone dice to the most sophisticated video lottery terminals, humans seem fascinated with gambling. Different cultures prefer different forms. Casinos are popular among Asian and Eastern European gamblers; Southern European and Arabic gamblers prefer card games; scratch lottery tickets are popular in North American and European countries. Mahjong, Baccarat and Poker are China’s games of preference. Regardless of your preference, help is available when gambling is no longer just for entertainment.

Karen Hlady, Gambling Awareness Program, BCResponsibleGambling.ca

Immunade – Nature’s Immunity Food

We question ourselves everyday if we’re OK, as good health supersedes everything. Your Immune System is charged with maintaining good health but sometimes fails. Antibiotics can be effective for serious infection but are often abused, have side effects and promote resistance. And other treatments only deal with symptoms. Immunade, Nature’s Immunity Food, goes back to what’s supposed to keep you healthy. It’s a daily serving of extra immunity, giving your Immune System more capacity to better do its job of getting and keeping you healthy.

John Hare, J. H. Hare & Associates Ltd, Immunade.com

The Foreigner

A painfully shy Englishman takes a room at Betty Meeks’ Fishing Lodge. In order to avoid his pathological fear of social interactions, Charlie pretends that he can’t speak English. This new role as “foreigner” makes Charlie the unwitting confidante when he overhears more than he is meant to – with hilarious results! He  finds himself in predicaments that are sidesplittingly funny, but which also give us food for thought, as they remind us that our all-too-human foibles, follies, and frailties can make us endearing as well as initiate inspiring personal transformations. The Foreigner will be on our stage April 18 – May 9.

Chemainus Theatre Festival, ChemainusTheatre.ca

Massage for a Healthy Heart

Massage therapy helps patients with cardiac issues address some of the factors that may be contributing to their condition. When a person experiences a painful or stressful event, the brain releases the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals prepare the body to fight or run away from dangerous situations. The body responds by tensing muscles, shortening the breath, and increasing the heart rate. Without relief, long-term stress or chronic pain will weaken the heart muscle. Combined with less-than-healthy lifestyle choices, these factors can lead to heart disease. Massage therapy helps to induce physical and mental relaxation, loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow, alleviate chronic pain and reduce anxiety.

Tanya Seguin, SerendipityMassageWpg.ca

Strive for Independence After Amputation

Immediately after your amputation, it is normal to seek out and receive assistance from family members or friends to help you during this transition. However, at some point, the sooner the better, you should strive to become as independent again as possible. With a comfortably fitting and properly functioning prosthesis, you should be able to do many, if not all of the things you did before becoming an amputee. Talk with your Prosthetist about your goals. Setting short and long term goals is a great way to see positive outcomes and at the same time regain your independence.

Winnipeg Prosthetics & Orthotics, WinnipegPandO.com

Get Energized!

Boost your pre or post-workout by incorporating chlorophyll-rich greens with coconut MCT into your daily routine. Studies have shown when taken before exercising, coconut MCT may reduce lactic acid buildup and encourage the body to burn more fat instead of carbs for energy. This can be found in a greens powder formula at your health food store and added to smoothies or water. Taking it in the morning can also make you feel more energized throughout the day. Look for a greens product with coconut MCT and maca for sustained energy, plus shelf-stable probiotics included to lighten your supplement load!

Cassie Irwin, Enerex Botanicals, Enerex.ca

70 is the New 50

Working into retirement, postponing having kids, living longer – the lifecycle of Canadians is changing. This has implications on personal finances and retirement savings. New research suggests that old age now starts at 74, with middle age lasting at least nine years longer than current estimates. What we think of as old has changed over time and it will need to continue changing in the future as people live longer, healthier lives. Two hundred years ago, a 60-year-old was a very old person. Someone who is 60 years old today could be argued as middle aged. In terms of health, longevity, and view of life, “baby boomers” in their sixties and seventies will be more like their parents and grandparents were at 50. This means people can work longer if they so desire. For many people, 70 is the new 50 and signifies the quiet revolution that has taken place in longevity.

Disability Tax Credit, DisabilityTaxCreditWinnipeg.com