Maintaining relationships and spending time with others is essential to our emotional and mental well-being. It can help prevent depression which affects 20 percent of the population over 70 years of age. Socializing also keeps the mind active and improvements are greater when the person is involved in fun interests with other people. Plan regular get-togethers with friends, such as a weekly lunch date or coffee with another senior or loved one. Scheduling social interactions give us something to look forward to on a regular basis. For those who are truly adventurous you can enjoy new experiences and meet new people by signing up for travel tours, book clubs, and much more at your local community centre.
Community News
Spring Has Arrived
Even though spring has sprung, we can still experience rain and cooler temperatures well into April. Make sure to continue to stay warm with these six hacks: *Stay warm indoors – put on that extra sweater. *Beware of slick outdoor conditions. Wet sidewalks and walkways can be very slippery and can cause a slip and fall in an instant. *Wear appropriate clothing outdoors. Layers and a windproof/waterproof outer layer are recommended. *Stay current on immunizations. Have you had your Covid booster? *Consume a balanced diet and *Keep well-hydrated. These are important all year long. Happy Spring.
Remember 1-4-2
Have you heard of Canada’s Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines (#LRGG)? Guideline 1: Gamble no more than 1% of household income, e.g.: $60,000 annual gross income = $50/month. Guideline 2: Gamble no more than 4 days per month = roughly once a week. Guideline 3: Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of games, including lotteries, sports betting, table games, slot machines, scratch tickets, horse racing, bingo, video lottery terminals (VLTs), and online gambling. Mental health & addictions, gambling type and reasons for gambling can make these guidelines difficult to follow. Reach out to VI Gaming Support! We’re here for you.
Stay Independent in Your Own Home
Getting a little help may allow you to live in your home for as long as you want to. From compassionate, licensed Caregivers to Registered Nurses, care is available because “There’s no place like Home”. When searching for a Home Care Service, look for *A 24/7 Care Team that you can reach anytime, *An emphasis on reliability and professionalism, and *Carefully selected caregivers for a great fit, who meet your needs, interests and personality. With the ability to age comfortably at home, your or your loved one is empowered to keep living life to its fullest. Happier Aging, at home, is our philosophy.
Acknowledge Disappointment
We had cool, wet weather out here on the island recently, which was in contrast to our expectations. This can lead many people to start to focus on regrets and lost possibilities of what “could have been”. The challenge with focusing on what “could have been” is that it never can be, so starts a negative thought pattern of rumination. One way to avoid constant and repetitive thoughts about what could have been is to shift the regret into disappointment instead. When we acknowledge the disappointment, we can focus our attention on what we will do instead.
Free Hearing Test Components
Hearing loss is a fairly common health issue for adults in Canada.
The good news is that it is treatable, especially when addressed at earlier stages. If your hearing is not what it used to be, why not schedule an appointment to get it checked as soon as possible.
To help with this, NexGen Hearing is pleased to offer free hearing tests at our hearing clinics across Vancouver, Lower Mainland BC, Vancouver Island and the British Columbia Interior.
What can you expect during this hearing test? That’s what we’ll explore in this edition of the NexGen Hearing blog.
What Does a Hearing Test Entail?
Being proactive about your hearing health today will pay off tomorrow.
That’s why we recommend getting your hearing checked, especially if you have concerns regarding hearing loss or feel as though your hearing has deteriorated over time.
Our free, three-step hearing test includes:
1. Air Conduction
You will be listening to tones of decreasing volume until they are no longer audible.
Both left and right ears will undergo this test independently.
2. Word Discrimination
You will listen to spoken words in both ears.
Since you won’t be able to read the speaker’s lips, this will effectively measure your ability to identify speech.
3. Tympanometry
In a tymnpanometry test, we will check whether your eardrums and middle ear system are working properly.
This way, we will be able to determine if your hearing loss is coming from your inner ear or your middle ear.
Hearing assessments are painless and take less than one hour of your day. All you have to do is choose a NexGen Hearing clinic near you to book your free hearing test.
Reasons to Test Your Hearing
While most adults get their eyes examined frequently, many people do not get their hearing tested as often as they should.
While hearing aids cannot repair hearing damage, they can help restore the sounds of the world around you.
Still, it is preferable to maintain the hearing level you already have and use preventative measures to ward off further hearing loss. A hearing test can help determine where that hearing loss is occurring, so that you can take measures to preserve your hearing from here on out.
Here are 3 reasons to visit an audiologist:
To catch hearing loss early
One in five adults in Canada experiences hearing loss.
The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be for your brain to adapt to hearing aids.
For health reasons
Hearing loss does not only occur due to aging.
It can be a symptom of several health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Also, if you work in a noisy environment, getting your hearing tested can help you protect your ears better.
To establish a baseline
If you are in your 50s or more, and you haven’t gotten your hearing tested recently, it’s time to visit your local audiologist.
Even if there is no significant hearing loss, your test will serve as a benchmark for future assessments.
If you find yourself turning the volume up while your family complains about your hearing issues, or you are frequently asking other people to repeat themselves, you might be experiencing hearing loss. Do not postpone your hearing test any longer!
Listen to Your Body
Having established the importance of getting one’s hearing checked, we invite you to contact us today to schedule your free hearing test.
By examining your unique hearing requirements, our specialists will determine the best next steps for your hearing needs and assist you with any questions you may have.
Great Socks for Travel
Many of us have compression socks for travelling. On the day of travel, put them on when you get up; that is when your legs are less swollen. This allows your body to adapt to the socks. Make sure to leave them on for a few hours after you land to again allow your body to adapt. Wearing the socks for the extra time can reduce any swelling of the legs much more effectively than if they are taken straight off. Travel socks do not work unless you wear them. Voxxlife socks provide comfort compression that clients love to wear.
Music and Dementia
The effects of dementia are devastating to individuals and their families. Researchers are keen to find ways to ease its symptoms and restore abilities and memory. Studies on music and dementia have shown promising findings. Did you know that the area of the brain associated with musical memory tends to be least affected by dementia? Music therapy may help reduce cognitive decline while improving the memory of people with dementia. In one study, test subjects performed better on memory tests when they listened to music. It has also been found that the emotional content of music can bring back emotional memories.
Ask Your Pharmacist
Do you have questions about vaccinations, how to quit smoking or other health issues? Your Pharmacist can help provide information and answer many of the questions that you may have. Vaccines can help prevent disease and save lives. Ask what vaccines might be right for you. Is 2023 your year to QUIT SMOKING? The B.C. Pharmacare’s Smoking Cessation Program helps eligible B.C. residents of any age stop using tobacco products by covering the full cost of nicotine gum, lozenges and patches. Ask your Pharmacist for more information about this program and vaccinations today.
Remember 1-4-2
Have you heard of Canada’s Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines (#LRGG)? Guideline 1: Gamble no more than 1% of household income, e.g.: $60,000 annual gross income = $50/month. Guideline 2: Gamble no more than 4 days per month = roughly once a week. Guideline 3: Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of games, including lotteries, sports betting, table games, slot machines, scratch tickets, horse racing, bingo, video lottery terminals (VLTs), and online gambling. Mental health & addictions, gambling type and reasons for gambling can make these guidelines difficult to follow. Reach out to VI Gaming Support! We’re here for you.
Remember 1-4-2
Have you heard of Canada’s Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines (#LRGG)? Guideline 1: Gamble no more than 1% of household income, e.g.: $60,000 annual gross income = $50/month. Guideline 2: Gamble no more than 4 days per month = roughly once a week. Guideline 3: Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of games, including lotteries, sports betting, table games, slot machines, scratch tickets, horse racing, bingo, video lottery terminals (VLTs), and online gambling. Mental health & addictions, gambling type and reasons for gambling can make these guidelines difficult to follow. Reach out to VI Gaming Support! We’re here for you.
