Community News
November Brain Teasers

.1 When you have me, you immediately feel like sharing me. But, if you do share me, you do not have me. 2. What can you hold without ever touching or using your hands? 3. What can be seen once in a minute, twice in a moment, and never in a thousand years? Give me food, and I will live; give me water, and I will die. What am I?

Words to Live By

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou

Laughter is the Best Medicine

A man walks into a doctor’s office. He has a cucumber up his nose, a carrot in his left ear, and a banana in his right ear. “What’s the matter with me?” he asks the doctor. The doctor replies, “You’re not eating properly.”

How Do I Convince My Spouse to Get a Hearing Test?

In all my years as a hearing health care professional, this is one of the most common and difficult questions to answer. The vast majority of people living with hearing loss are either unaware of their hearing difficulties or do not fully realize the extent of their hearing loss. The number one reason prompting people to get their hearing checked is family members who have grown frustrated living with someone who has hearing loss. Unfortunately, there are many husbands and wives who resist and persist! It’s often a very sensitive topic for retired couples spending so much time together.

When someone has mild-to-moderate hearing loss, typically they will hear relatively well if you are talking to them face-to-face in a quiet environment but will not hear well if you are walking away from them, are in a different room, or if there is some other noise that is interfering with your voice. The hearing-impaired individual will quite often say, “How can I hear you when you’re talking into the fridge?” or “How can you expect to be heard when you talk so softly?” Repeatedly asking others to “please say it again” is a strong indicator that some form of hearing loss exists.

Unfortunately, trying to convince someone that the reason they keep asking people to repeat themselves is because their hearing ability is at fault can seem impossible at times. Don’t give up! It can take a few years for people to accept the fact that their hearing is deteriorating, and they need hearing aids. People may find it difficult in part due to the lingering stigma that wearing hearing aids is effectively admitting you’re “getting old”. Ironically, the symptoms of hearing loss become more prominent and obvious when hearing aids are not used, drawing people to that precise conclusion. Today’s technology allows for the discreet use of hearing aids.

What I suggest is to lovingly explain to your husband or wife that you are growing increasingly frustrated with having to repeat yourself as frequently as you are. Then, let them know that for a one-week period, you are going to notate every time you need to repeat yourself. I would also set the volume on the TV to a certain level, and then track the number of times they need to increase the volume so they can comfortably hear. After 7 days, discuss the results, and gently encourage them to get a hearing assessment, even if it is just to get a baseline of their hearing. You may be fearful that you are nagging them, but you will be doing yourself and them a big favour in the long run.

When they are finally ready to come in for a complimentary hearing assessment, the hearing health professionals at NexGen Hearing will be ready to answer any question or concerns they may have. Learn more or book an appointment today by vising  https://www.nexgenhearing.com/relationships/

Community Announcement

People on limited income find it difficult to engage in a social life either for themselves or their children because of the costs. Having limited social connectedness effects one’s mental health and begins a spiral effect that is difficult to stop and get out of. Staying in touch with people isn’t just good for your spirit it is a contributing factor to your overall health and well-being.
As we get older social connectedness is an important factor in maintaining physical and mental health. Being with people boosts the immune system. Studies with the Yale Medical Group suggest that people who keep up with social interaction and maintain close friendships live longer on average than those who are isolated from others. That is why a Meals on Wheels program is more than just delivering a meal. It is a time when a person connects with the Meals on Wheels recipient. In some cases, they are the only human face they see in a day.
There is a saying that goes like this “To the world you are only one person but to one person you are the world”. This is that situation. That is why as a community we need to acknowledge people when we walk down the sidewalk and encounter someone. Acknowledging a person’s existence could make or break a person’s day. We do not know how that day is going for someone. It may be a bad day and just by you saying Hi could make all the difference in the world. That is just a small piece of what we can do to help people be socially connected.
According to the Yale Medical Group socially connected older adults have lower blood pressure, decreased risk of depression, and potentially a lessened risk of Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and some cancers. Social interaction also keeps the brain active.
Senior Centres and Drop Ins play an important role in the “social connectedness” piece of a person’s life. It is a natural place for people to gather, make new friends, learn new skills, and break bread together. The Mengagement project has been working hard at creating social opportunities for men go gather and I would say that this pilot project is successful. The Program Committee also looks at what it is that we can do here at the Golden Circle to bring people together to have fun. For two years we asked people what brings you to the Golden Circle and they stated the comradery.
Humans are social mammals, so we do better with people around us. One of our volunteers gave me a calendar with sayings and this one stood out for me regarding our human relationships, “We are each of us Angels with only one wing and can only fly embracing each other”. We are all interdependent. I challenge you to be that person that can make a difference in someone’s life. Let someone know that they matter.

Monica Morrison
Executive Director
Golden Circle Resource Centre

Better Omegas?

Omega-3 is an incredibly beneficial fatty acid that helps support brain and heart health, and assists many people with battling inflammation and aiding in recovery. Omega-3 products can supplement your food intake of this fatty acid, but not all products are created equal. It’s best to find clinical grade omega-3’s that are esterified and monoglyceride rich (high absorption that your body can put to work). When looking for an omega-3 product (beyond sardines and fatty fish in your diet), be sure to speak with a professional so that purchasing a premium product gets you the results you’re looking for.

Making Informed and Caring Decisions

Q: My siblings and I are concerned about where my elderly father should live. How do we work through our different opinions? A: Well-meaning relatives may disagree with one another or with the aging person about where they should live and the level of care they require. Lawyers work with the family and excellent resources within the community to help ensure that the legal needs of vulnerable people and those who care about them are met. This work can also include discussions about financial circumstances, concerns, and estate planning.

Local Community Spotlight

Three Robins Active Living Community in Red Deer offers the convenience of aging-in-place amenities and supportive living services, all while maintaining an active adult lifestyle community. Our 89-suite active adult apartment building is a pet-friendly retirement community designed with care and convenience in mind. Our third-party a-la carte supported services include lunch/supper service, transportation/ride share service, housekeeping Service, flat linen service, homecare, and medication assistance. Amenities include an entry lounge, bistro/café, demonstration kitchen, multipurpose room, woodwork/craft room and a fitness room. At Three Robins, we offer an optional 24-hour emergency response program, in addition to our video surveillance system. Tours are available by appointment. ThreeRobins.ca/red-deer Like us on Facebook: ThreeRobinsRD

Keep Living Your Best Life

A good retirement residence is not just a convenient place to live, it’s an environment in which you can pursue your passions, thrive and continue living with purpose. It may be daunting to think about moving into a retirement home, but have you considered how your life might improve by making this change? Meet a new network of friends, build new relationships, and take part in activities you once enjoyed, or commit to learning something new! Leave the worrying behind when it comes to home maintenance, meal preparation and your own safety – and have us do it for you!