Brella Society allows individuals to stay engaged in the community even if it is from the comfort of their own home. We offer programs that stimulate individual’s cognition, provide emotional support, food security and have them engaged in physical activities. Our priority is the well-being of the seniors in our community; therefore, we take initiative in advocating for them and assisting them in navigating support. Please visit brellasociety.ca for more information and events.
Community News
Tech Buddies
Our Tech Buddies Program is currently in high demand! Individuals requiring assistance using their technological communication devices are set up with one-on-one sessions with professional volunteers. The sessions are tailored to help clients achieve their personal goals when using their device. Sessions are offered in our Community Services office as well as libraries within South Surrey/White Rock. Please contact Isaiah Clemente at [email protected] or 604-531-9400 ext. 220 to book an appointment.
Words to Live By
We wish you and your family a joyful, bright, healthy, prosperous and happiest new year ahead! Happy 2023!
Healthy Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients: 1 ½ cup almond flour (packed), 2 tbsp maple syrup, 3 tbsp melted coconut oil. Optional: ¼ tsp salt, ½ tsp vanilla extract, ½ tsp almond extract. Directions: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a medium-size mixing bowl, add all the ingredients. Squeeze the dough with your hands to bring ingredients together. If too wet, you can add more almond flour. Scoop the dough with a measuring tablespoon and roll it into a ball. Use a fork to flatten each cookie. The thinner, the crispier they will be. Bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly golden and slightly hard on top.
What is Holistic Dentistry?
In holistic dentistry, the mouth is viewed as an integral part of the digestive tract, which is crucial to overall health. A holistic dentistry practitioner takes time to educate patients on key nutrients for systemic and emotional health, the importance of restful oxygenated sleep and proper digestion, and the dangers of infected teeth and gum inflammation. Specialized technology is used in holistic dentistry, such as PRF, ozone, lasers and CBCT imaging, to properly diagnose and manage disease. In addition, only biocompatible materials are used, as opposed to ‘tolerable’ ones such as BPA-free composites, zirconia, and no amalgam silver fillings.
Holidays with Dementia
Many older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia enjoy and want to be included in holiday festivities. However, the added activities could cause increased agitation and confusion, unpredictable behavior, or mood swings. To create a stress-free, happy holiday season, try to scale things back and modify activities so they’ll feel calm and safe. Focus on a few of the most meaningful traditions. Ask which activities they value most. That could mean trimming the Christmas tree, lighting the menorah, singing songs, or baking special holiday treats. Even if your older adult might not remember these holiday activities later, the warm feelings they’ll have is a different kind of memory their body will carry for a while.
Mobile Sports Betting
Mobile sports betting is becoming normalized in our society. Advertisements abound, as do apps and opportunities to play. Unlike traditional parlay betting on 2-3 games and waiting for the outcome of a game, modern sports betting is usually done on a phone app that includes single games, in-game, and prop betting options. These micro-bet opportunities and early cash-out features mimic day trading behaviours and language. If your play is based on emotions and reactions with little time to reflect before you place that bet, it might lead to problematic gambling. Take a break. Tap out. Avoid bet regret.
Happy Holidays for Everyone
Holidays are an exciting time for many people. For others, the added activities could cause increased agitation and confusion, unpredictable behaviour or mood swings. This is often the case for older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Here are a few tips for including everyone in holiday festivities. *Create a stress-free, holiday season by scaling things back and modifying activities so that everyone feels calm and safe. *Focus on a few of the most meaningful traditions. *Ask which activities people value most. This could be trimming a Christmas tree, lighting a menorah, singing songs or baking special holiday treats.
What Causes Hearing Loss?
We know that 60% of Canadians aged 19-79 experience hearing health issues including hearing loss and/or tinnitus, but what causes it?
For some, they were born with congenital conditions resulting in hearing impairment, while others experience a delayed onset of hearing loss caused by aging, health factors and their environment.
The Different Types of Hearing Loss
There are three types of hearing loss including conductive, sensorineural, and mixed.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is when there is something blocking sound from passing through the outer ear or middle ear. It could be caused by an ear infection, earwax or fluid in the ear. If loud noises sound muffled and soft sounds are hard to hear, this may be what you are experiencing.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss means there is a loss of hearing in the inner ear or auditory nerve. It can be caused by loud noises, diseases or aging. Children are prone to this type of hearing loss due to congenital conditions, trauma during childbirth, head injuries or infections, and it is often permanent, but hearing aids can help.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is when a person has both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, which may be caused by injury, infection or inherited condition. It is likely that specific treatment may be needed for both types.
Knowing the type of hearing loss a person is experiencing can help determine the cause and best treatment method.
Factors That Can Influence Hearing Loss
Loud Noises
If a sound is too loud or lasts too long, it can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. Hair cells in the ear are sensory receptor cells, and they are responsible for converting mechanical stimuli evoked by sound into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain. In basic terms, loud noises can overwork these cells and cause them to die, and because there is a finite number of hair cells, damage to them is irreversible.
Because noise-induced hearing loss is a leading work-related condition, it’s important to protect your ears as much as possible if you’re often in a loud environment. Sound levels that are 85 decibels (dbA) and higher are considered dangerous if an individual is exposed for over 15 minutes.
If you’re listening to music through headphones at maximum volume, it is likely to be in the dangerous range. In addition, concerts, sirens and fireworks are often above this threshold. We recommend using ear plugs if you know you’ll be in a loud environment for extra protection.
Age
A natural byproduct of aging is hearing loss, which is known as presbycusis. This can begin as early as 30 years old, and often occurs in both ears. Because it is a gradual process, most people don’t notice it at first. Age-related hearing loss may present as having difficulty hearing clearly, especially when there is background noise.
Presbycusis is caused by changes that occur in our ears as we age. While it is most common for the inner ear to change, the middle ear may also change. Degeneration within the ear impacts the nerve pathways to the brain, which results in hearing loss. Furthermore, the medical issues that arise with age may increase one’s chances of presbycusis.
Health Factors
There are a variety of health factors that can impact one’s hearing, such as infections, diseases and trauma. Otosclerosis, for example, is a disease that causes the middle ear bone to be unable to move.
If the middle ear bone cannot vibrate, the ear cannot properly signal the brain. Another disease that causes hearing loss is Ménière disease, which is when there is build-up of fluid in the chambers of the inner ear. Furthermore, developing an acoustic neuroma, a type of brain tumor, also causes hearing loss.
In addition to health factors that arise within the body, a physical head injury could impact an individual’s hearing. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often a cause for hearing loss due to damage to the eardrum or middle ear. Alternatively, a TBI may cause damage to the part of the brain that processes sound.
Ototoxic Medications
There are some medicines that can cause hearing loss. Some examples of these ototoxic medications include some chemotherapy drugs, some aminoglycoside antibiotics, loop diuretics, and high levels of aspirin.
Ototoxic hearing loss can occur in individuals with normal hearing or individuals who already have hearing loss. The first sign of ototoxic hearing loss is tinnitus, but it can develop into loss of balance and complete hearing loss. When ototoxic medications are removed, hearing loss may be reversed, however, damage may be permanent, especially if the dose was high or long-term. It’s possible that you may be experiencing a hearing loss emergency, so it is important to contact your physician if you are concerned.
Congenital Condition
Hearing loss is the most common congenital condition in Canada. Three out of every 1,000 babies are born severely deaf, and another three out of 1,000 have serious hearing loss, according to Caring for Kids.
Some babies have a genetic syndrome that causes hearing loss, such as Waardenburg syndrome, Alport syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, Usher syndrome, Down syndrome or Crouzon syndrome. While all of these are caused by different things, they all have the symptom of hearing loss.
Babies with a low birth rate are likely to have sensorineural hearing loss caused by their ears not being fully developed, and babies in utero exposed to alcohol and drugs may experience hearing impairment. In addition, premature babies may also be at risk of hearing loss later in life.
The most common factor for hearing loss in babies is anoxia, which occurs when there is a deficiency of oxygen in the body or brain.
Suspect Hearing Loss?
If you think you may be experiencing hearing loss, it’s important to find a good audiologist to run some tests. Living with untreated hearing loss can lead to mental fatigue, poor emotional wellbeing and dangerous falls.
With 60% of adult Canadians experiencing a hearing health problem, according to Statistics Canada, you are not on this journey alone.
The hearing professionals at NexGen Hearing are here to support you on your journey to better hearing and improved quality of life. They are passionate, dedicated and experienced.
At NexGen Hearing, appointments, hearing aid supplies and minor repairs are free of charge because every patient is valued and welcomed for as long as they need.
There are over 45 clinics in the BC Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Book an appointment at the one closest to you online or by phone at 1-877-606-6671 today.
Profile: Literacy Now Cowichan
Since 2007, Literacy Now Cowichan has worked on many fronts to increase the visibility of literacy issues within the Cowichan Region. Pathways to Learning, the community adult literacy program, has helped almost 1,000 residents of the Cowichan Valley achieve their learning goals. A core group of 25 highly trained and dedicated volunteers provide hundreds of hours of tutoring each month. This community adult literacy program is funded completely with grants and donations and is provided free of charge to valley residents. If you or someone you know is struggling with reading or numeracy, contact us. No referral is required.
New Holiday Traditions
This month may be the first time for get-togethers after a long time and there may be loved ones who are no longer with us. The first holiday season after losing a loved one can be a very difficult time. Acknowledge that things are going to be different and the holidays will never be the same as they once were. Hold your memories of loved ones close and connect with other people during these cold winter days. There will be opportunities to make the holidays meaningful; be open to the change and accept it for what it is – a new opportunity to create stronger family bonds and traditions.
