Community News
Health Fun Facts

You don’t actually breathe through both nostrils at the same time.
Human noses can remember 50,000 different scents.
Humans share 60% of their DNA with bananas.

Product Review: Orange TKO

Orange TKO is a natural, concentrated citrus product that is very effective and versatile, smells great, and costs less to use thanks to its powerful cleaning abilities. It’s a fantastic natural alternative for all of your cleaning needs, including removing stains and odours. Our homes are filled with hidden toxins found in kitchen and bathroom cleaners, bleach, ammonia, carpet shampoos, and more. These toxins are often absorbed through our skin and lungs as we “clean”. Kick the chemicals out of your home, along with the toxic residues and hazardous fumes, and see what the power of nature can do.

Meet Your Coach – Brian Mitchell-Walker

Making an important change in your life can be easier with the help of a coach. Brian of BeMindfullyWell is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited coach who partners with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Brian is past president of the ICF-Prairie Chapter, a non-profit association that raises the profile of executive, leadership and life coaching in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Chapter is hosting a Prism Awards Gala on October 19 in Regina to celebrate the impact coaching is making within organizations. The Prism Award program has honoured businesses and organizations with coaching programs that fulfill rigorous professional standards, address key strategic goals, shape organizational culture, and yield discernible and measurable positive impacts. If you are looking for this positive impact on your life – look for an Accredited ICF Coach.

Business Profile: Automobility Medical

Automobility was started in Regina in 1989 by Peter & Janis Hillcoff a Regina family that had spent many years working with people with disabilities. Peter was also one of the founders that created the Sarcan recycling program which provided new employment for people with disabilities, while helping our environment. The Hillcoffs, along with their daughters and grandchildren own and operate Automobility today. The staff have been with the company for many years and are a part of the Automobility family. We are the Canadian distributor for many great US & Canadian companies including Merits Health and Catnapper Lift Chairs and we buy and sell in volume so we can offer better products and prices to our customers!

Benefits of Retirement Home Living

There are many reasons why moving into a retirement residence can be a positive change. With plenty of healthy lifestyle options such as a fitness room, community gardens, a theatre room, a nail & hair salon, and an in-house culinary team, retirement residences can help maintain not just physical health, but also mental and emotional health, since there are plenty of opportunities for socializing within the community. Large studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom private suites often allow some familiar home furnishings for additional comfort and customization. Residents have their independence and privacy but can also access support and transportation when needed. All our properties have adapted and are safely living together and supporting one another’s health and good spirits.

A Gift for Your Family

Making final arrangements ahead of time is a wise and considerate decision. This guarantees that your wishes are observed and spares your family from undue pressure at a time of great emotional stress. Having final plans in place is a blessing when passing is anticipated. With an unexpected death, they are even more important. An unexpected death can bring overwhelming grief, guilt and anger. These feelings can make it very difficult to plan an end-of-life service that respects the wishes of a loved one. Preplanning is a special gift to give your family. We can help.

My Parent Has Alzheimer’s

Caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease can be a stressful experience. Here are a few effective tips: *Create a safe environment. Everyday objects, furniture, and utensils have the potential to increase your loved one’s risk of injury. *Talk to your loved one’s doctor. He can let you know exactly what to expect. *Build a daily routine. Routines can help your loved one feel in control. *Provide a healthy diet. Eating a diet containing leafy greens, oily fish, and limited saturated fats has been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 53%. We can help.

Too Much Screen Time

A 2019 report from Common Sense Media into media use by US tweens and teens stated: *8- to 12-year-olds in the US used screens recreationally for an average of 4.44 hours per day – excluding time spent online for schoolwork. This is twice the recommended healthy exposure. *8- to 12-year-olds from high ­income families spent 1 hour 50 minutes ˂ low-­income families. *Gaming accounts for (31%) of all screen time among 8- to 12-years-olds; (46%) play mobile games daily (in 2015 it was 27%); (24%) play console video games daily. On average, an hour and a half per day are spent gaming. citation: intenta.digital

Benefits of Pet Therapy

Pet therapy is a great form of compassionate care that has been popularized over the years, primarily on school campuses and across communities. The research on pet therapy’s effect on our aging population is remarkable. Pet therapy has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety. By providing connection and comfort through animals, pet therapy is extremely beneficial for feelings of stress and anxiety. Some studies even show positive results on mental functioning through pet therapy. Playing with animals is also a fun way to increase mobility as we age.

Cognitive Functions Decline with Age

Cognitive decline is a fact. Another fact is that there are exercises that you can do to combat this decline. Cognitive Therapy Exercises can help you think faster, focus better and remember more. You can build happy neurons for healthy aging. Happy Neuron Pro has nine categories for executive functions: *Verbal Memory, *Visual Memory, *Verbal and Visual Memory, *Spatial Memory, *Visual and Spatial Abilities, *Visual Attention, *Processing Speed and *Auditory. There are 45 exercises that are uniquely designed to be engaging and relevant so that you can practice skills and learn strategies to overcome cognitive obstacles and decline. Contact us to find out more.

Medical Emergency Hearing Loss

There are many causes of sensorineural hearing loss, including noise exposure, aging, exposure to ototoxic medication, head trauma and illness. Typically hearing loss declines gradually over time, however in cases of sporadic hearing loss it is important to seek immediate assessment to ensure the best treatment plan is established.

With the help of Oksana Melnichuk, a Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner (RHIP) at NexGen Hearing, we have compiled a list of symptoms that could suggest the need for urgent medical intervention.

1. Sudden Hearing Loss

A Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) occurs when there is a significant decline in hearing over a 72 hour window. This condition commonly affects only one ear and may present independent of other symptoms or in combination with a feeling of aural fullness, tinnitus and/or dizziness. A sudden decline in hearing requires immediate medical intervention to ensure treatment can be provided in a timely manner. Treatment should be received within 48 hours of the onset of a SSHL. An untreated SSHL can significantly impact an individual’s communication abilities and quality of life.

2. Fluctuating hearing loss

Fluctuating hearing loss can occur as a result of several different conditions, such as Ménière’s disease (MD), autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), head trauma, and/or ototoxic medications. It can occur in individuals with normal hearing or individuals who already present with hearing loss. The fluctuation may be noted in one ear or both and may occur on an irregular basis. It is important to contact your physician if you notice hearing fluctuations to establish the cause and treatment plan.

3. Tinnitus

Tinnitus is not a condition itself, but rather a symptom of another condition. Causes of tinnitus can range from prolonged exposure to loud sounds, aging, injuries to the head and neck, certain medications and/or other medical conditions such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease to name a few. Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears; however, it can also be described as buzzing, hissing, chirping, whistling, etc. The sound can be intermittent or continuous and can vary in loudness. While there is no cure for tinnitus, some individuals find the perception of tinnitus can be reduced with the use of external masking devices. Medical treatment should be sought if tinnitus leads to an increase in stress, sleep disturbances, is pulsatile, and/or perceived in one ear only.

4. Ear discharge

The discharge of earwax from the ear canal is a normal occurrence, however if blood or fluid is noted medical intervention should be obtained as it may be indicative of a more serious medical condition, such as infection, trauma to the ear canal, middle ear space and/or skull bone and/or swimmer’s ear. If left untreated discharge from the ear can lead to reduced hearing abilities, discomfort and/or damage to the structures of the middle ear.

The staff at NexGen Hearing are dedicated to working alongside other health care professionals to ensure all patients receive timely access to care, information, and assistive technology.

If you or a loved one is currently or has experienced one or more of the above symptoms, please contact your local NexGen Hearing during business hours and advise you need an urgent diagnostic hearing assessment. If it is outside of normal business hours, please visit the Hospital Emergency Room for urgent assessment.