According to HealthLinkBC, nearly 1 out of every 4 Canadian adults report some degree of hearing loss or hearing disability. The prevalence of hearing loss rises with age. When hearing loss remains un-treated in older adults, they may experience a significant reduction in quality of life and are at risk of poorer long-term health outcomes. Adults with un-treated hearing loss may become withdrawn and socially isolated and are at an increased risk of cognitive decline.They are also at greater risk of falling which increases with the severity of the hearing loss.
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Keep Your Will Updated!
Even if you know you need to update your Will, it’s easy to find yourself letting your documents collect dust on the shelf. The good news is, going through major changes in your life, such as marriage or the birth of a child, doesn’t necessarily invalidate your will. The bottom line is: If your Will isn’t up-to-date, your end-of-life wishes may not be fulfilled in the way you would have liked. Your wishes may also have changed since you wrote your will. To avoid these pitfalls and the costs associated with updating your will, contact us today to order your free Legal Will Guide.
Use Cold and Heat for Pain
Heat and cold therapy can be an effective and inexpensive way to relieve pain from a variety of conditions such as arthritis, pulled muscles, inflammation and swelling. Cold therapy is best for bruised or swollen joints and tendons; it improves nerve activity and blood flow. Use ice packs and a bag of ice cubes with a little cool water for acute injuries/pain, inflammation and swelling. Heat therapy improves blood flow, circulation and soothes muscles and joints and increases their flexibility. Use heat packs and pads for muscle pain, tension and stiffness. Take care, your body will thank you!
Visiting the Nursing Home
Now that you may visit your loved ones in the nursing home again, here are some things to keep in mind. Respect the resident’s privacy. Knock before you enter the room and step out into the hall when personal care is being provided. Be warm in your interactions and use a gentle touch. Keep the conversation positive and refrain from arguing, especially if visiting a person with dementia. Don’t bring food or beverages unless you check with the staff first. Don’t stay too long. Look for cues that your loved one may be getting tired or stressed.
The Right Amount of Sleep
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults and 7-8 hours for older adults. Individual requirements for adults may vary however, consistently sleeping fewer than six hours or ten or more hours a night can have health risks. One of the best ways to train our body to sleep well is to get into a regular routine. To get your body into a regular rhythm, aim to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even on weekends and days off. Wake up refreshed every morning.
Reluctant to Accept Help?
It can be very difficult to accept help. Seniors often think that accepting help means losing their independence. It is as if by accepting help, they are telling the world that they are no longer able to live independently. Installing a medical alarm system can actually increase your independence and reduce the risks of living alone or being left alone in your home. In fact, with a locally monitored system, you may be able to remain in your own home, comforted by the fact that if something should happen, help is just a button push away.
Staying Active, Really?!
The old saying “If you don’t use it you lose it” has some truth to it. If you are active, you are doing yourself a huge favor to stave off falls, increase independence and help prevent illness like a stroke, diabetes type 2 and osteoporosis. But what if you don’t like to exercise? Find something that you do like to do! Walking with a friend, dancing, biking and even mowing the lawn counts. Start slow and enjoy it. Comfort Keepers can help you stay active and get your life back on track.
Early Signs of Dementia
Some forgetfulness is a normal part of growing older, but it’s important to be aware of memory changes as they can be a sign of a serious problem. Along with memory changes, sudden changes to your loved one’s personality, such as paranoia and aggression, are often early signs of Dementia. For some, another early sign of dementia is having changes in vision. Your loved one may have trouble reading or seeing the differences in color. Other changes may include problems with speech and writing, poor judgment, having trouble with finances, withdrawal from social activities, and carelessness. Early diagnosis can assist you in getting help for your loved one.
What’s the Human Body-Field?
While traditional healthcare has primarily focused on physiology, we are now seeing that energy and information control biology. In fact, frontier science proves that there is a regulating field of energy and information that operates in the physical body at the subcellular level. At NES Health, they call this the Human Body-Field (HBF), and they have researched its functions and structures for more than 30 years. In that time, they have discovered that the root causes of physical problems are distortions and blockages in the body-field, which serves as a master control system for all physiological function.
Help for Smelly Feet
Do you have bromodosis? Smelly feet is a very common medical condition from buildup of sweat resulting in bacteria growth on the skin. Your feet have more sweat glands than any other part of your body with naturally occurring bacteria to help break down sweat. Bad odor forms when bacteria and sweat are allowed to build up. Some simple tips to prevent bromodosis include washing your feet at least once a day and alternating between two pairs of shoes. Choose well-fitting socks like Voxx socks made with antimicrobial fibers to wick away moisture to help keep your feet dry and sweet smelling all day.
AJ Pedal Wheelchair
Whether your mobility has been impacted by Parkinson’s, MS, a stroke, or knee or hip trouble, the AJ Pedal Wheelchair is designed to get you moving again. Like a bike, it’s powered by you – so you can reconnect with your body, rebuild muscle tone and improve your cardiovascular system. Designed to maneuver in tight spaces like narrow halls and doorways, the AJ rides easily into elevators, buildings and shopping centres. More robust than a wheelchair, the AJ allows you to pedal through parks, along sidewalks and even ride public transit. One-handed, dual hydraulic brakes allow you to stop quickly with just a gentle squeeze of the brake handle. The comfort-ride shock and pneumatic tires keep you comfortable and confidently in control. Each AJ is hand built in Victoria, BC, using the highest grade aluminum and other durable materials for a safe and sturdy ride.
