Summer is here! When the temperature rises above 30 degrees for three consecutive days, it is a ‘heat event’. Older Canadians are at risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion symptoms include *moist, red or pale skin, *nausea, and *dizziness. Symptoms of heat stroke are more severe and require medical assistance: *red, hot, and dry skin; *bizarre or aggressive behaviour; *loss of consciousness; *rapid, irregular pulse; *rapid, shallow breathing; and *seizures. Here are some tips to stay safe: Drink cool liquids, go somewhere with cooler air, apply cold to key points of the body, move less, and wear light, breathable clothing.
Community News
Eat Protein to Improve Muscle Mass
You know that falling is a real issue for seniors, but why are seniors more at risk, and what are the repercussions? Well, as you age, you lose muscle mass due to a lack of protein in your diet and tend to become more sedentary. Your muscles help you with falls in two ways: you can prevent yourself from falling with more success if you have stronger muscles, and if you do fall, your muscle mass will cushion your bones. Solution? Increase your quality protein intake as you age, and get 30 minutes of exercise per week.
Fitness for Seniors
Participating in a balanced fitness program contributes to your well-being at every age, and regular exercise is vital for older adults. Regular exercise can help control blood pressure, body weight, and cholesterol levels. It reduces the risk of hardened arteries, heart attack, and stroke. It also strengthens muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones to help fight osteoporosis and lower your risk of falling or other injuries. Keeping your body strong and limber can help you maintain independence as you age.
Acupuncture for Post Surgery Recovery
After a knee or hip replacement, acupuncture and cupping can significantly aid recovery. Acupuncture stimulates blood flow, reduces inflammation, and helps nerves and muscles by alleviating numbness, aching, and stiffness. Cupping enhances this effect by drawing stagnant blood to the surface, improving circulation, and easing muscle tension around the surgical site. Together, acupuncture and cupping accelerate recovery, enhance mobility, and provide natural pain management, making them excellent complementary therapies for post-surgery healing. Acupuncture and cupping are covered by extended health care plans. Consult a healthcare professional to ensure these treatments are appropriate for you.
Tough Housing Market Help
SOS and Happipad have teamed up to tackle the housing crisis in the Oceanside area by launching the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Home-Share Program. This initiative aims to match verified hosts with screened renters, creating affordable, safe housing options. In an increasingly competitive housing market, residents are facing heightened rents and mortgages. SOS recognizes that residents with similar interests and lifestyles could benefit greatly from sharing accommodations. And more than just saving money, they may enjoy the company. This program is supported by the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness and the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (OTFH-HPS). Visit www.happipad.com/pqb to learn more.
I Hear You
Ensuring effective communication is crucial for valued relationships. Here are five reasons to prioritize a hearing test: 1. Enhance intimacy and build trust through shared stories. 2. Create lasting memories by actively participating in social gatherings. 3. Improve happiness by avoiding frustration and anger caused by hearing difficulties. 4. Make moments count by eliminating the need for repeated conversations. 5. Demonstrate love by addressing concerns and acknowledging others’ worries. Contact us today for a free consultation and hearing test to strengthen your connections.
Move to Keep Your Tissues Limber
The fascia is the organ that gives your body its shape. Fascia is plastic, which means it has the ability to change. It will take on the forms that you put it in the most. If you spend a large portion of the day seated in front of a computer with your head and shoulders forward, the front line of your body will likely shorten to help hold you in that position. This puts strain on your back, neck, and shoulders. To help keep your tissues limber and adaptive, try to get up from your desk and move around at least every 30 minutes.
Summer Friendships for Seniors
“Spending the summer in a senior home offers a wonderful opportunity to forge new friendships. Seniors often have fascinating life stories and wisdom to share, creating a rich tapestry of experiences. Participating in group activities like bingo, gardening, and arts and crafts fosters camaraderie and shared joy. Daily walks, exercise classes, and game nights provide regular bonding moments. Holiday celebrations, cultural events, and communal meals further deepen these connections. Seniors support each other emotionally, offering encouragement and understanding. Through mutual interests and new hobbies, friendships blossom, creating a vibrant, supportive community where everyone feels valued, safe, and less alone.”
Do you Need Supplements?
The answer is maybe! If you have any deficiencies that you have seen from blood work or have been told about by a health professional, then yes, you probably need to focus on taking the supplements that would address the deficiency. For the rest of us, supplements are not necessary and probably expensive healthy fluff that might not be necessary. Meeting your micronutrient requirements should be done through a balanced diet that includes a variety of colourful fruits and veggies, quality protein sources, and healthy fats. If you eat this way, then you shouldn’t need to rely on supplements to be healthy.
The Future of Wellness in a Patch
The Super Patch Wellness line is designed to give you pain relief and better mobility, helping you live a happier, healthier, more active life. The patches have uniquely arranged ridges that look like a QR code, when these ridges touch your skin, your cells transmit unique signals that interact with your body’s nervous system to provide life-enhancing benefits. Clinically and dermatologically tested and approved, the patches are designed to be safe and easy-to-use, every single day. They’re also drug-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, latex-free, hypoallergenic, non-GMO, and certified skin-safe. Patches come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Market vs Assessed Value
“Surely my home is worth more than the assessed value?” The British Columbia Assessment Authority assesses over 2 million properties in BC every year, enabling municipalities to determine each property owner’s share of property taxes. This isn’t the “market value,” which is comparing your home to others in the surrounding area that have sold recently, indicating buyer demand and what someone is actually willing to pay. Your agent can provide the actual value range, which can differ significantly from the assessed value. We’d be happy to chat about your real estate needs.
