Community News
Essential Summer Home Care

Home care during the summer months is essential to ensure comfort, safety, and well-being. High temperatures can pose risks, particularly for the elderly and those with chronic conditions. Home care professionals help manage hydration, ensure air conditioning is functioning, and monitor for heat-related illnesses like heatstroke. They can also assist with daily activities, reducing the risk of accidents due to heat-induced fatigue. Additionally, home care provides companionship, which can mitigate the isolation often felt during long summer days. Overall, professional care supports a healthier, safer, and more enjoyable summer season for vulnerable individuals.

Beat the Summer Heat

Summer is here, bringing the heat! Stay safe by preventing these heat-related issues: 1) Dehydration – drink more water and electrolytes to avoid weakness, headache, and fainting. 2) Heat stroke – cool down with shade/AC and water, seek medical help for body temperatures of 40°C or higher, fast pulse, and hot, dry skin. 3) Heat exhaustion – rest in shade/AC and drink fluids to counteract heavy sweating, weakness, and nausea. 4) Heat syncope – lie down with feet up and drink water if you faint due to high temperatures. Senior residences offer air-conditioned spaces, safe outdoor areas, and social activities, enhancing comfort and well-being.

Beat the Summer Heat

Summer is here, bringing the heat! Stay safe by preventing these heat-related issues: 1) Dehydration – drink more water and electrolytes to avoid weakness, headache, and fainting. 2) Heat stroke – cool down with shade/AC and water, seek medical help for body temperatures of 40°C or higher, fast pulse, and hot, dry skin. 3) Heat exhaustion – rest in shade/AC and drink fluids to counteract heavy sweating, weakness, and nausea. 4) Heat syncope – lie down with feet up and drink water if you faint due to high temperatures. Senior residences offer air-conditioned spaces, safe outdoor areas, and social activities, enhancing comfort and well-being.

Getting Enough Magnesium?

The composition of what we eat and the quality of our foods has drastically changed over the past hundred years, and this has made it difficult for even the most health-conscious Canadians to get enough magnesium. Magnesium is involved in many processes throughout the body. Overstimulating these processes will result in an increase in our magnesium requirements. For instance, when we suffer from high stress, our body produces a hormone protein called cortisol. Producing and regulating this hormone means spending and excreting more magnesium. Not all magnesium supplements work the same in your body, reach out to our integrative medicine pharmacists’ to discuss which one is right for you!

Clean Up Your AIR!

You Are What You Breathe!
You breathe 2,000 gallons of air daily. According to the EPA, 68% of diseases are linked to indoor air pollution. Recent studies show improving air quality with air filter technology may reduce Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Protect yourself from indoor pollutants like allergens, asbestos, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, lead, mold, pesticides, radon, and wildfire smoke. Surgically Clean Air is trusted by the medical and dental industry, assisted living facilities and schools across North America . JADE™2.0, is now available for in-home use and features multi-stage filtration capturing over 99.9% of airborne particles. Visit Wellnessnews.ca for brochure and research links. John Petrunia | [email protected] | 604.356.1024 Surgically Clean Air®.

Summer Safety Tips

Follow these tips to stay healthy and well this summer: *Stay Hydrated: Drink 8 or more glasses of water per day. *Know the Side Effects of Medications: side effects may include drowsiness or sun sensitivity. * Stay Cool: Use A/C, stay indoors, and go swimming. * Wear light, loose-fitting clothing. Wear breathable clothing and light colours that reflect the sun. * Have Emergency Contacts: Have a list of people to call in case of an emergency. * Know the Weather Forecast: Plan your days according to the weather. We wish you a happy and safe summer.

Drink Up to Stay Hydrated

Summer is here and so is the heat! At this time of year, dehydration can become a serious health issue for anyone and especially seniors. Many seniors are chronically dehydrated so hot weather is especially dangerous. Dehydration can result in symptoms such as confusion, sluggishness, fainting or worse. It is extremely important to drink plenty of water and eat foods with a high water content such as cucumbers and watermelon. If you find water boring, add juices or cut-up fruit to your glass for a refreshing summer drink. Have fun, stay safe and drink up this summer!

Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke

Heat exhaustion can occur if the body loses an excess amount of fluid through sweating and does not have it replenished. As your body becomes dehydrated, it begins to overheat and you may start to feel faint, dizzy, and lightheaded. If left untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition. At this stage, your temperature rises to a dangerous level and you may no longer sweat due to extreme dehydration. A person suffering from heat stroke may be in a state of confusion and disorientation. If you suspect someone is experiencing a heat stroke, press their Lifeline Personal Help button or call 911, get them out of the heat, and apply cold compresses on the body to lower body temperature quickly.

Hearing Aids & Summer

As temperatures rise, it’s important to understand how to take care of your hearing aids. Beware of Heat! Avoid putting your hearing aids in places that attract heat quickly – like the glove compartment or console in your car. Stay Away from Moisture! Remember to take your hearing aids out before swimming or if you’re caught in the rain. Keep ‘em Clean! Warm, humid weather creates a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. You can use a soft, damp cloth to wipe away dirt and debris from your hearing aids. Follow these simple tips and get outside to enjoy the warm weather.

7 Days of Self-Care

Self-care refers to any activity we do purposefully to take care of ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. On July 24 each year, people celebrate Self-Care Day – but any time is a great time to start practicing self-care. Why not try seven days of self-care to create new, healthy habits? Day 1: Unplug from technology for the day. Day 2: Declutter your physical space and mind. Day 3: Nourish yourself with food, water, sleep, and exercise. Day 4: Create something with your hands. Day 5: Listen to your feelings. Day 6: Express yourself to others. Day 7: Explore something new!

10 Things that Happen When You Quit Smoking

According to Cancer.org, after only 8 hours of your last cigarette, the oxygen levels in your blood increase. After 12 hours, your carbon monoxide blood levels drop to normal. After 2 days of not smoking, you’ll have heightened senses of smell and taste. 3 days later, your bronchial tubes relax and breathing may feel less labored than before. During the first 9 months smoke free, your shortness of breath will improve, and the tiny cilia hairs in your lungs will regain function, allowing your body to clean your lungs. After 1 full year, your risk of heart disease is about half compared with a smoker. After 15 years of being smoke-free, your risk of a heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.