Fit 55+ Online Fitness Class– November 4, 11, 18, 25
Virtual Caregiver Support Group – November 9 & 23 from 1:30 – 3 PM
Tuesday In-Person Caregiver Support Group – November 9 & 23 from 12:30 – 2 PM
Thursday In-Person Caregiver Support Group – November 1, 15, 29 from 12:30 – 2 PM
Please Visit Online to see any upcoming events at [brellasociety.ca/online-events]
Community News
Start Changing Lives Now
We are meeting a need in the community, and we can’t do it without you. Please give generously and make a difference in the quality of life for our seniors. Your donation will go a long way to continue providing just the right programs and services and help people reconnect with the community in a safe way. Every $100 donated provides an hour of services to three older adults and caregivers.
Ways to donate:
Online: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/36058/donation
Mail: 15008 26 Ave. Surrey, B.C. V4P 3H5
By Phone: 604-531-2502 Ext. 209
Better at Home Services
Better at Home supports seniors by meeting their non-medical needs. By providing assistance with these simple, day-to-day tasks, Better at Home assures seniors continue to live independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities. Services vary from community to community but may include the following:
• Friendly Visiting
• Transportation
• Light Housekeeping
• Grocery Shopping
To find out more about the services, please contact Elizabeth at 604-536-9348.
Fresh and Lively
Our Meal Programs across Surrey and White Rock offer older adults community lunches where they can enjoy a hot nutritious meal in a group setting. The Meal Program provides the opportunity for seniors to meet new friends and to engage in socialization. Over 3,000 meals served each year and countless friendships made. Come join us for some great food, excellent entertainment, and an opportunity to meet new people! If you would like to learn more about our Community Lunches or would like to register, contact 604-531-9400 x. 201 or Email: Elizabeth Sundvall [email protected]
Social Prescribing
Social prescribing is a way for local agencies to refer people to a Seniors Community Connector. Seniors Community Connectors give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They connect people to community resources and services for practical and emotional support. Your Community Connector will work with you to develop wellness goals and will provide ongoing support that meets your individual needs and enables you to achieve your goals. Your Community Connector can support you to gain information, advice, guidance, support, as well as assisting you to access a range of services that meet your needs. For more information, contact our Seniors Community Connector, Janice, at [email protected] or call 604-531-9400 ext. 204.
Join Today!
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.
Ask The Expert
Q: My daughter gets eye infections all the time with her contact lenses. How can we prevent this? A: She should get herself assessed for this and consider wearing her glasses more often. The risk of infection goes down with: reducing wearing time; replacing the contact lenses more often; keeping the hands clean, and using more effective cleaning solutions and more breathable contact lenses.
The Gift of Wellness
Instead of gifting more material things this holiday season, why not give the gift of healing and wellness? A gift card for SALT Wellness Centre makes the perfect gift for your family, friends, and co-workers. A unique, alternative healing centre featuring Flotation therapy and British Columbia’s first dry SALT therapy bed. Offering both wet and dry SALT therapy, SALT has two sensory reduction float tanks, a float therapy room, a dry salt bed and dry salt room, an infrared sauna, an ionic detox foot bath, counselling and somatic trauma therapy, as well as both relaxation massage and Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) services. Take advantage of our first time and package discounts we offer. Have extended health benefits? We offer direct billing for RMT services!
Healthy Play Guidelines
As we head into the holiday season and emerge from Covid restrictions, our gambling habits may have been stretched beyond our usual boundaries. Gambling or sports betting to make money is always dangerous, as is gambling to escape our day-to-day preoccupations. If you are not sure if your gambling habits fall within healthy playing guidelines, check Canada’s Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines at GamblingGuideLines.ca. Using the 1-4-2 formula can help contextualize your play: No more than 1% of your income, a Maximum of 4 days per month and Only 2 types of gameplay. If you’re unsure, check out the self-assessment tool.
Do Hearing Aids Hurt?
Hearing aids are highly valuable for people who have hearing loss, but it can be an overwhelming process to find the right fit. One of the most important things to know before you begin the search for your new device is that they should feel natural on your ears.
Finding the right fit can take some time, but there is support available for your journey and the results will be life-changing.
Should Hearing Aids Hurt Your Ears?
The short answer is no, hearing aids shouldn’t hurt your ears. Hearing aids should be comfortable. They are designed to improve your quality of life, so there should be no discomfort or pain associated with them.
The best way to ensure your hearing aids are comfortable is by getting them fitted by an audiologist or RHIP. They will conduct several tests and assessments to confirm your hearing aids are the correct size, structure, and type.
There are four types of hearing aids including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-canal (ITC), in-the-ear (ITE), and receiver-in-canal (RIC). All of them have their unique benefits, so meeting with a professional to discuss which one is right for you is the key to finding the perfect fit.
If your hearing aids aren’t fitted properly, they can cause discomfort.
Getting Used to Your Hearing Aids
Although it may take some time to get used to your hearing aids, wearing them should never cause you pain. It’s important to take it slow when you’re adjusting to new hearing aids. We suggest wearing your new hearing aids for about four hours a day. Sometimes people dive right in and wear their new hearing aids for 14 hours straight, but this can cause irritation to your skin.
Allow the skin around your hearing aid to adjust to the device. It can take up to a week to get accustomed to the feeling of your new hearing aids, but taking breaks will help ease the process.
If you have previously worn hearing aids and are trying out a new pair, another option is to alternate between the new and old pairs throughout the day. With regular care and maintenance, your hearing aids can last five years or more, so it is a good idea to prepare yourself appropriately.
Every hearing aid feels a little different, so giving yourself the time to get used to something new is important.
What Could Be Causing Pain?
Sometimes hearing aids feel perfect when they’re being fitted, but they don’t feel right after you’ve left the hearing clinic. It is likely that all they need is a slight adjustment.
If you notice a specific area where your hearing aids are rubbing and causing discomfort, you should see a professional to make any necessary changes. Sometimes it takes a little bit of extra work to get the perfect fit, and that’s okay.
Another potential cause for pain is that the hearing aids simply aren’t placed properly. A misplaced hearing aid can cause pain because of pressure in unwanted areas. Consider practicing how to place and remove it, as demonstrated by your hearing professional during your fitting appointment.
You could also be feeling some pain if you’re not cleaning your hearing aid properly. Following the cleaning instructions for your specific model will decrease your chances of getting an ear infection, bacterial growth, and irritation. These issues are extremely painful but avoidable with proper sanitization and maintenance.
If you’ve developed a rash, it’s possible you have an allergy to the materials of the hearing aid. These allergies are rare, but a hearing aid specialist will be able to provide you with alternative options to ensure you are using the device that’s right for you.
Finding Comfort With Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing aids should be completely comfortable. Audiologists and hearing professionals at NexGen Hearing are passionate, dedicated and experienced, and they’re here to help you find the perfect fit.
NexGen Hearing offers free hearing tests and hearing aid consultations, hearing aid fittings and sales. To book an appointment at one of our 45+ clinics in the BC Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, click here or call 1-877-606-6671.
Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease
Here are a few tips: *Incorporate light exercise into their daily routine. This improves cardiovascular health, prevents muscle loss, and can improve sleep and bathroom habits. Daily walks are one of the easiest ways to add exercise. There is evidence that regular physical activity can lead to improvement in cognitive function. *Practice good sleep hygiene. Many Alzheimer’s patients have a disrupted circadian rhythm which can lead to sleep disorders and changes in behaviour. *Try music therapy. Playing your loved one’s favourite song can evoke a strong response or memory. Music can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and help your loved one better express their emotions.
