“Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch, which I have got a hold of for the moment; and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” George Bernard Shaw
Community News
Words to Live By
“Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.” – Orison Swett Marden
Do I Have Hearing Loss?
Unlike vision loss where people tend to promptly seek assistance by wearing glasses, hearing loss tends to be ignored, become rationalized by age or is blamed on others for not speaking clearly enough.
Hearing loss is common for many people throughout Canada. According to the Stats Canada Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS), 6% of adults over the age of 55 report limitations as a result of hearing loss and this number increases to nearly 36% of adults aged 75 and older. In total, this works out to roughly 966,000 Canadians who are willing to report awareness of hearing loss (and that’s not considering those who are possibly in denial).
Many people are simply unaware of the signs and symptoms of hearing loss, the benefits of early detection and intervention, and what resources are available. In order to reduce the likelihood of a hearing loss going undetected, being ignored, and left untreated, here is what you can watch for:
Is there a problem?: The most common signs of hearing loss are needing repetition, turning the volume up on the television, difficulty hearing on the telephone, difficulty hearing clearly, difficulty hearing in background noise, and failing to hear common household sounds like the doorbell. Schedule a hearing test: Annual hearing testing is recommended for adults over the age of 55, even if they do not suspect a hearing loss. Hearing test results are medical records and, as such, are kept on file for 7 years. These results can be used as a baseline to compare with any future hearing evaluations. The best thing is that hearing testing is complimentary and does not require a referral from your family doctor or ENT specialist. Investigate available resources: While hearing aids are often recommended to treat hearing loss, there are other helpful devices that you may not have considered. For example, amplified telephones boost the volume of incoming calls and can often be adjusted for tone and customized for your hearing loss. TV devices amplified alarm clocks and alerting systems for doorbells and smoke detectors are also available.
If you believe that your parents, grandparents, or friends are suffering from a hearing loss (see hearing loss and parents for more), the best thing you can do for them is to speak up and, if necessary, help them choose a hearing care provider to work with them on their individual needs. For more information on hearing loss and available resources, or to take a free online hearing test, visit www.mainlandhearing.com.
Contributed by Dr. Susan Marynewich, Au.D., RAUD, RHIP
Community Announcement
Leaving a Legacy
We are proud of the excellent services we provide and know that the Golden Circle holds a special place in the hearts of many. Did you know that you can provide support to the Golden Circle after you’re gone? Our Leaving a Legacy program will outlast your lifetime and touch the lives of future generations.
Many people have the desire to demonstrate their strong commitment to the Golden Circle by being provided with the opportunity to reflect that commitment in their Will. Leaving a Legacy establishes an opportunity for donors to give a gift to benefit the Golden Circle, its members, and the community; either currently or in the future and will help to ensure that the Golden Circle will be able to continue to meet the needs of the community through its programs and outreach services for a very long time.
Leaving a Legacy gifts are kept separate from regular operating funds, but can be used to cover regular and ongoing operational requirements of the Golden Circle, as well as to ensure all members of the community have affordable access to programs and services.
No gift is too small to make a difference, and we do accept designated legacy gifts. We will acknowledge that you have made a decision to provide for the Golden Circle and its support of the social health and wellness of adults in our community. It is a unique opportunity to have a “voice” in the future of the Golden Circle because a gift to Leaving a Legacy is an investment and an opportunity to be involved in the future growth of the Golden Circle; by contributing to Leaving a Legacy today, your gift will ensure that the support and information continue to be provided for a thousand tomorrows.
Wondering how to give? Participation is convenient and flexible, the choice is yours. Go to https://www.goldencircle.ca/golden-circle/leaving-a-legacy/ to download our brochure or call us at 403-343-6074 if you are interested in Leaving a Legacy.
Referred by Your Physician
Waiting for your Cancer PET/CT imaging appointment? Cancer doesn’t stop & wait with you. That’s why people choose to have PET/CT imaging done privately. Receiving these reports sooner allows for treatment to start sooner. PET/CT assists with: CANCER – detecting cancer, revealing cancer spread, confirming cancer treatment effectiveness, finding a cancer recurrence. BRAIN DISORDERS – clarifying early diagnosis of dementia, confirming possible Alzheimer’s diagnosis. HEART DISEASE – Confirming cardiac sarcoidosis presence/recurrence. If you have been referred by your physician for a PET/CT scan and are waiting for your appointment it may be time to ask your oncologist, urologist, or GP to make a referral to INITIO Medical. Initiomedical.ca
Needing Orthopedic Surgery?
Are you at your wits end? Are you in pain and tired of waiting for knee, hip, or spine surgery? ONZ Spine specializes in more than 10 years of assisting thousands of individuals in traveling to Germany for orthopedic surgery. Have you been told you are too young for knee or hip replacement? Dr Wolfram Steens at ONZ Spine in Germany can do up to 4 knee and hip replacements in a person’s lifetime, staring at a young age, if necessary, thanks to their state-of-the-art technology. Newly available to Canadian patients is knee cartilage replacement – with use of technology not yet available in Canada.
Men and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, a disease that renders bones porous and frail, causes over 30,000 hip fractures annually in Canada. While most people associate osteoporosis with women, around 25% of these fractures occur in men. To help prevent osteoporosis, make sure to exercise regularly, suited to your health. This will encourage bone cell renewal. If you can’t get enough nutrients from your food, you may require a dietary supplement such as calcium and vitamin D, which are crucial for bone health. Speak to your Central Alberta Co-op Pharmacist for more information.
Daily Routine Important for Seniors
People are afraid of the unknown. If an older adult is losing control over their physical abilities, independence, or cognitive abilities, their world gets filled with more and more unknowns. Establishing routine is extremely important for seniors. A daily routine offers a level of stability that individuals often enjoy, as it allows them to settle into a schedule they understand. Doing the same basic activities like eating, dressing, and bathing at the same time every day is known to improve sleep quality. A predictable routine also helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
Safe in the Sun
Make the most out of the outdoors while you relax in the sun, free of buzzing n biting bugs (& the diseases they carry), and concerns of regrettable-scorched skin. Research revealed an incredible 84% of sunscreen products are harmful to consumers. Choose biodegradable sunscreens with natural minerals like zinc and avoid synthetic chemicals that can cause health concerns. Too much sun? Aloe vera & lavender can soothe & accelerate healing. Studies found that lemon eucalyptus essential oil, used in natural outdoor sprays, can be more effective at warding off mosquitoes than DEET. Prepared, you can have the best summer ever!
Happy Men’s Health Month
June is Canadian Men’s Health Month, a time to inspire men and their families to live healthier lifestyles. It’s important for the men in our lives to make healthy changes that will lower their risk of chronic disease and help them live with less stress. Many of the most common health conditions affecting men are often preventable with the right lifestyle changes. This could include improving their diet or eating habits, getting more exercise, finding healthier ways to manage stress, and drinking less alcohol. Let this month be the start of a healthier you and/or a healthier loved one!
Referred by Your Physician
Waiting for your Cancer PET/CT imaging appointment? Cancer doesn’t stop & wait with you. That’s why people choose to have PET/CT imaging done privately. Receiving these reports sooner allows for treatment to start sooner. PET/CT assists with: CANCER – detecting cancer, revealing cancer spread, confirming cancer treatment effectiveness, finding a cancer recurrence. BRAIN DISORDERS – clarifying early diagnosis of dementia, confirming possible Alzheimer’s diagnosis. HEART DISEASE – Confirming cardiac sarcoidosis presence/recurrence. If you have been referred by your physician for a PET/CT scan and are waiting for your appointment it may be time to ask your oncologist, urologist, or GP to make a referral to INITIO Medical. Initiomedical.ca
