The strength of CVSS is its contingent of amazing volunteers. If you would like to visit with a lonely or isolated senior, or assist someone with accessing services in the community, or if you have another strength to offer, please contact us to learn more about providing support in your community. Beginning in September, volunteer training sessions will be done monthly so there will be only minimal waiting before you can begin! Volunteers are provided with monthly support meetings and regular education sessions.
Community News
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Oral Health
Rheumatoid arthritis can sometimes lead to other health complications, including oral conditions such as: 1) Oral infections – including bacterial and fungal infections. 2) Gingivitis – a mild form of gum disease that can cause swollen and tender gums. 3) Temporomandibular joint issues – causing pain when opening and closing your mouth. 4) Periodontitis – affects the bone and tissue supporting the teeth. 5) Sjögren’s syndrome – condition affecting the salivary glands that can lead to oral dryness and tooth decay. By seeing your dentist regularly and keeping up with your oral health through daily brushing and flossing, these conditions may be avoided or improved.
Fear of Falls Causes Unsafe Behavior
Someone who is fearful of falls, may start to avoid everyday activities by staying home and doing less. This lack of activity leads to the loss of strength, reduced muscle tone, and loss of coordination and balance. This deterioration of your physical being increases the risk of falling and, when a fall does occur, the fear is further heightened. Turn your fear of falling into positive actions: remain active, exercise regularly, use assistive devices such as walkers or grab bars, wear sensible shoes and consider participating in a group session with others who are anxious about falling.
Regaining Mobility & Independence
Our day-to-day lives often involve activities that require us to venture out into public, whether it’s going to the bank, attending medical appointments, shopping, or spending time with friends and family. For those who experience mobility challenges, simple errands can be more difficult and less convenient, especially when having to rely on others for transport. Mobility scooters can help you or your loved one regain a sense of independence and control as errands become easier and access to more destinations becomes possible again. Regaining mobility and independence can simplify our daily tasks and offer us more choices.
Benefits of Therapeutic Recreation
At the core of therapeutic recreation is the idea that recreation and leisure are integral to quality of life. This is especially important for seniors, who may be at increased risk of isolation and loneliness, which can have a detrimental effect on their physical and mental health. The recreation programming at Seniors Communities offers a number of benefits for the emotional and spiritual realms of life, including: 1. Decreasing symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. 2. Fostering positive experiences. 3. Improving self-confidence. 4. Increasing sense of belonging. 5. Decreasing loneliness, boredom, and expressive behaviours.
Talking About Hearing Loss
Onset hearing loss is usually gradual, so it can take a long time for people with hearing impairment to realize there is a problem. While starting a conversation with a loved one experiencing hearing loss may be difficult, it’s a key step towards a solution. Strategies for having productive conversations include: *Aim to have serious discussions early in the day, before navigating daily activities. *Ask helpful questions to create an open dialogue and make everyday communication easier. For examples: “Should we have this conversation in a quieter location?” *Focus on facts and specific symptoms and encourage them to get a professional evaluation.
Infrared for Autumn Wellness
Far, middle, and near-infrared wavelengths are all part of the broad infrared healing wavelength spectrum and are responsible for the benefits people experience from infrared saunas. These wavelengths penetrate soft tissue up to an inch and a half, warming the body and opening blood vessels in a process called “vasodilation.” The result is increased blood circulation and stimulated sweat glands, delivering oxygen-rich blood to tissues and removing toxins from the body. Infrared saunas offer many benefits, including detoxification, stress and fatigue relief, muscle/joint pain relief, weight loss/calorie burning, improved immune system, increased metabolism, improved skin health, and improved heart health.
Treatment Review: Aerolase®
Aerolase Neo Elite® Laser uses two specialized treatments: NeoSkin and NeoClear by Aerolase®. It works by releasing a high-power but short 650 microsecond pulse duration. NeoSkin rejuvenates, corrects, and prevents skin from aging, sun damage, or even hormonal imbalances safely, gently, and effectively, helping to improve everything from acne scarring to age spots. NeoClear is an alternative to slow-acting medications that helps treat mild to severe acne for fast, effective acne clearance. Regardless of which treatment you choose, you can look forward to zero downtime, zero pain, and instantly noticeable results that give you the youthful glow you want.
Hair Care & Dementia
Everyone enjoys a good pampering session at the salon from time to time, but for those with dementia it can mean a lot more. Research has shown that salon visits can provide sensory cues linked to appearance (through scents), which could be useful for reminiscence. It also suggests that hairstylists can act as ‘unofficial therapists’ who build relationships with their clients with dementia and provide emotional support to them. Hair care can be part of appearance-related support that helps enhance a person’s identity, as well as their self-expression and social participation, which are incredibly important for those with dementia.
Dentures & Weight Loss
It may come as a surprise to you, but when you lose weight, your clothes are not the only thing that you’ll notice become loose! Your weight loss can affect the fit and suction of your dentures, causing them to be uncomfortable. Weight loss causes changes to your entire body, including your mouth and gums. However, there is a solution: your Denturist can perform a simple procedure called a reline. A reline will “tighten up” your dentures so they fit well, create good suction, and feel comfortable again.
Single-Event Sports Betting
The CBC article, “Conservative MP says the Saskatchewan government has ‘dropped the ball’ on single-event sports betting, featured Waugh’s Bill C-218, also known as the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act”. Bill C-218, passed by the Canadian Senate and received Royal Assent in June 2021, came into force in August 2021. The legislation allows provinces and territories to conduct and manage single-event betting on any sporting event except horse racing. In November, the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) announced that BC residents had placed more than $25 million in single-event sports bets within two months of the legalization. If you run into trouble, support is available. (https://bit.ly/3OJU3Um )
