Many seniors enjoy gambling, whether it be bingo, racetrack betting, or casino gambling. For most, it is a harmless form of entertainment. But how do you know when a senior loved one’s gambling has become a problem? Some signs might be 1) bragging about gambling and exaggerating wins while ignoring or minimizing losses, 2) borrowing money for gambling, and 3) lying about the amount of time/money they spend gambling. Talk to your senior loved one about their problem gambling and determine what possible causes may exist. Encourage them to get help and let them know they have your support.
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Structured Water
Science proves waters responsible for longevity. Dr. Marcel Vogel (Father of Structured Water Science) calls it ‘liquid crystal’ completely compatible with instant cell wall entry & exit. Natural Action Technologies Structuring Devices mimic nature, transforming any water energetically by double vortexing, creating a 6 molecule clusters, an easy uptake into each cell’s aquaporin channel. “Water inside your cells is absolutely critical for health”, Dr. Mercola. Suzanne Forcese. SunriseStructuredWellness.com
Words to Live By
“I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
– Thomas Jefferson
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Q: Where did the hippo go to study about the brain? A: The hippocampus!
FUN FACT: The hippocampus is a region of your brain that helps form, organize, and store memory. It is the most sensitive area to stress.
Balance: Don’t Lose It!
How’s your balance? Those slippery Winter-peg icy sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots can make it very challenging to stay on two feet!
Our ability to balance depends on many things. Think of uneven terrain like a hiking path or a street curb, or an unsteady or moving surface like travelling on a moving bus. It also matters if we are anticipating something that might knock us over, or if it takes us by surprise. Our body has not one, but three systems contributing to our ability to balance:
- Vision – we can see if we are falling! If our surroundings are all suddenly tilting or going in the same direction, it alerts us.
- Vestibular (inner ear) – complex structures deep in our ear canals detect changes like rotation, acceleration, head position, and our relationship to gravity.
- Proprioception (in muscles and joints) – our ability to know what position our bodies are in. Without looking, we know if our arm is up or down…or bent or straight.
Balance is like most skills: if we don’t use it…we lose it! As we get older it is very common for balance decrease. And so, falling is more common in elderly populations. But this does not have to be the case!
A physiotherapy balance assessment can identify areas that need practice. A personalized balance program takes only minutes out of your day, can help you use your balance…so you don’t lose your balance!!
If you want to improve your balance and minimize your risk of falls, talk to your physio!
Erin Blaine, MPT
Physiotherapist | Prairie Trail Physiotherapy
When a Senior Loved One Has a Gambling Problem
Gambling is a huge industry in Canada. Casino gambling is more popular than ever.
Seniors enjoy bingo, racetrack betting—and especially, casino gambling. Retirement-aged consumers are an especially desirable demographic for the gaming industry because they fill the floors during off-peak hours. Casinos market to them aggressively, offering discounted meals, ‘Golden Oldies’ entertainment shows, and complimentary shuttle service.
For many seniors, gambling is harmless entertainment. They hop on the casino shuttle, socialize with others and casino staff, bet a few dollars and take advantage of senior discounts on meals, drinks and perhaps a show. They’ve set aside part of their entertainment budget for gambling, and they stop when they reach their limit. However, some older adults develop a gambling problem that seriously impacts their financial well-being.
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling—also referred to as gambling addiction, pathological gambling or a gambling disorder—happens when a person becomes obsessed with gambling and has an uncontrollable urge to keep gambling. According to the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, “For the problem gambler, making a bet is not just about having fun or winning money. Gambling becomes an emotional response to change the way they feel.” In addition, warns the NCPG, a person might have a gambling problem if they are:
- Bragging about gambling, exaggerating wins and minimizing losses
- Restless and irritable when not gambling
- Gambling in hopes of winning back what they have lost
- Borrowing money for gambling
- Lying to hide time spent gambling or unpaid debts
- Doing something illegal to get money for gambling
- Jeopardizing a significant relationship or job by gambling
Why are seniors at higher risk?
The NCPG explains that boredom, isolation, depression and cognitive impairment affect judgment and make it harder for senior gamblers to stick to their limit. Seniors on a fixed income—who can little afford to gamble away their money—might hope that they will strike it rich and improve their financial situation. In addition to the signs above, family may notice that their loved one has withdrawn from the activities they used to enjoy. Possessions may have disappeared from their loved one’s home, and their loved one is vague about what happened. A senior may be neglecting their personal needs—food, medical care, or exercise. And here’s a sign experts often cite as a red flag: Seniors with a gambling addiction show little interest in the buffet, entertainment or social aspects of a casino trip, instead heading straight for their “lucky machine” and settling in.
What can family do?
The first step is to review the warning signs of problem gambling to get a better picture of whether your loved one has a problem. You can’t step in merely because you don’t approve of gambling, or you think Mom should spend her entertainment money somewhere else.
The next step is to determine whether there are medical reasons behind the problem. Gerontologists say problem gambling might be a sign that a senior is dealing with early Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive impairment that impairs judgment and impulse control. The side effects of some medications also can make a senior more susceptible to compulsive gambling. For example, certain drugs prescribed to control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease have been linked to impulse control—including pathological gambling. Urge your loved one to be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out or diagnose these problems.
Having a conversation about problem gambling can be very difficult. Your loved one may resist talking about it and may insist that there isn’t a problem. Assure them that you have their best interests in mind, and that you want to help, not judge. Encourage your loved one to talk to a professional. Treatment is available for gambling addiction and includes support groups, psychotherapy and sometimes medication. Consider bringing in a geriatric care manager (also called an aging life care specialist) to mediate the conversation and to help you locate treatment resources. Talk to your loved one’s financial manager, or consult an elder law attorney. Sometimes, if a senior is no longer able to manage their money, families must take a larger role. (Read “Stepping In, Stepping Up: Legal Issues for Family Caregivers” in the August 2016 issue of the Caring Right at Home newsletter to learn more. A poll in that issue found that many Caring Right at Home readers have held a durable power of attorney or guardianship for a senior loved one at some point.)
Not every gambling habit rises to the level of addiction. A senior who goes to the casino several times a week to stave off boredom and loneliness might find even more mental stimulation and companionship through a senior recreation program, volunteer service, events at their faith community, or taking a class. Help your loved one locate appropriate activities in the area. If your loved one has become isolated due to mobility challenges, consider hiring home care to provide companionship and transportation. Even computer games can be a substitute for folks who enjoy relaxing with a machine—and as a bonus, these games offer far more mental stimulation and brain exercise than a slot machine.
Take Control Of Your Health!
The beginning of the year is a great time to think about your health and investigate ways of improving it. One of the most effective things that you can do is to get tested nutritionally. For example, Contact Reflex Analysis nutritional testing will determine if you are lacking specific nutrients that could be causing or contributing to an unwanted health condition. If a weakness or deficiency is found, specialized nutritional formulations can be taken to correct the affected areas, so your health can improve naturally. Let 2019 be the year that you take control of your health and well-being.
To Humble New Beginnings
To be humble… allows for a deep acceptance that everyone you encounter can teach us something new about apart of ourselves you might now know otherwise. It’s the lens that allows each person we meet to be seen as a Buddha, providing us with insights and teachings for our own personal wellbeing and growth. Not everyone will you choose to be connected to, but in that moment in time, when we stay open to receiving another person’s being, we welcome in our own humility and heart, knowing we are all here to support one another in our humanness. Humility is an active release of arrogance, creating an attitude of inclusivity, celebrating and embracing our own self-worth while balancing a deep knowing that everyone here on our planet is just as worthy as we are.
Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental health is an issue that impacts every workplace in Canada. The workplace can contribute positively or negatively to a person’s mental health. Employers and employees both benefit from a psychologically healthy workplace, as it can contribute to better employee engagement and morale, reduced absenteeism, and increased employee recruitment and retention. Some simple ways to create a psychologically healthy workplace include: 1. Promote work-life balance. 2. Have conflict resolution practices in place. 3. Help employees successfully manage workloads. 4. Encourage and model respectful behaviours. 5. Allow for employee participation and decision-making. 6. Clearly define role expectations and duties.
Purify Your Home
Here in Canada, due to our colder climate, we tend to seal our homes and buildings with deadly precision. We use the term “deadly” because there is a possibility of over 1500 invisible and potentially toxic substances contaminating your air space right now, Isn’t it time you took control over what you’re breathing? With active purification technologies such as ionization, UV light and Activated Oxygen; we can now effectively remove smoke, odours, allergens, bacteria and viruses! Purifiers such as the pureAir 500C are effective solutions that have a whisper quiet fan when running.
Tips for Safe Shoveling
Shoveling snow can be a great exercise to build a strong and healthy back. As with any exercise, there are a few tips to make it more enjoyable. Wear appropriate clothing–dress in layers with good footwear, headgear, and gloves for warmth. Pace yourself–heavier snowfalls can take a great deal of time to clear, so take breaks as required. Use proper form–keeping your core engaged and using your legs will lighten the load. Soreness is to be expected–but if any pain or soreness lingers for a few days, call your physiotherapist to address your needs.
