There are many advantages to moving into a seniors’ residence while you are still active. Being able to engage in activities and socializing is just as essential as healthy eating and exercising regularly. Another benefit of being socially engaged and participating in activities is that you can make new friends with similar interests and pick up new interests along the way. Moving into Independent Living Accommodations might be just the ticket for creating a balanced lifestyle. You can feel good and enjoy your stay in a place that offers all kinds of possibilities.
Community News
Meet the Practitioner – Cari Cooper
Don’t have extended medical benefits? Meet Cari, a student therapist at the Naturally Healthy Clinic. Until she receives her full credentials, she is offering a 60 minute relaxation massage for the affordable price of $60.00 during the month of September. Cari’s current practice includes Swedish massage, myofascial release and deep tissue massage. These treatments can reduce muscle tension, decrease general aches and pains, increase sleep quality and improve total body comfort. Cari’s treatments will make you feel completely relaxed and rejuvenated. Book an appointment today.
What You Don’t Hear
When someone has moderate hearing loss they will hear relatively well if you are talking to them face to face in a quiet environment. They will not hear well if you are walking away from them, in a different room, or if noise is present. People with hearing loss may be unaware of the extent of it: that’s where loved ones come in. Family members who have grown frustrated with them not being able to hear are the ones to prompt them to get a hearing test. Encourage them to have their hearing tested, you will be doing them and yourself a big favour in the long run.
Get Your Skin Back in Shape
Skin feeling a little “Blah” after summer? Here’s how to get your skin back in shape! Use a good quality serum or moisturizer containing antioxidants like vitamins C, A, E or beta carotene. These ingredients encourage production of new skin cells, as well as preventing and repairing any damage. You find these antioxidants in many fruits and vegetables too, so eat up! Antioxidants break down free radicals leaving behind wastes and toxins to be flushed out, so drink plenty of water. Exercise to increases circulation. An Ultrasonic Squeaky Clean Facial will gently exfoliate your skin to round out your new skin care routine.
Making Decisions for Loved Ones
When you are faced with a sudden situation such as the illness of a loved one, in order to make any medical or financial decisions, you will need to have a power of attorney or representation agreement in place. A power of attorney gives the power to take care of financial and legal matters. A representation agreement can be set up to handle personal and health care matters for your loved one if they have become incapable of making decisions on their own. The time to get these set up is before they are needed. Talk to your local notary.
Laser Acupuncture for Depression
Studies have shown that low levels of serotonin are often linked to depression in individuals. These low levels can be caused by factors such as genetics, as well as a person’s environment, which may include physical and emotional trauma. Laser acupuncture using cold non-invasive lasers can stimulate the release and synthesis of serotonin, as well as the release of endorphins, both of which can improve emotional wellbeing. Laser therapy offers a comprehensive process for recovery that can be used as part of a treatment program for depression that may also include physician-prescribed medication and/or psychotherapy.
When Should I Wear My Hearing Aids?
It is important to wear hearing aids during all waking hours (with the exception of showering, swimming, and environments where hearing protection should be used). Hearing aids provide the brain with auditory input and the brain creates and reforms new neural networks. If the hearing aids are only used when needed, then these new networks are not formed nor strengthened. Occasional hearing aid use can also lead to auditory deprivation and can effect a person’s ability to understand speech. To find out more about what hearing aid best suits your lifestyle and budget, call for a Free hearing evaluation.
Keep your Hearing Sharp
Although hearing loss can be hereditary and a natural result of aging, there are proactive steps you can take to keep your hearing sharp and healthy. Your ears receive sounds, but your brain processes all the wonderful, (and maybe not so wonderful,) sounds that you hear. So, keeping your brain healthy can help to keep your hearing healthy too. Puzzles like Sudoku, crosswords, and word searches help to maintain healthy brain tissue and the neural connections necessary for processing sensory information. If you suspect that you are suffering from hearing loss, be sure to speak to a hearing professional.
When Living Alone is No Longer an Option
The phone rings and the person on the other line says, “Your mom fell and broke her hip. She needs surgery and rehab.” When she is released from rehab, you realize that she can no longer live alone. It is easy to compare the cost of basic room, board and food services. However, often there are other “hidden” fees associated with “independent” and “assisted living” facilities. These may include health care and medication related fees, fees for personal care and other treatments. All these add up! Choosing care home needs for a loved one requires knowing the full financial cost in addition to the usual “room and board.”
Joy of Eating – Senior Edition
“Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life, contributing immensely to goodwill and companionship.” Elsa Schiaparelli.
In many cultures, food has a ritual component, including the preparation of colorful, varied and nutritious meals to be enjoyed with family and friends. However, many seniors in our community embrace the ‘tea and toast’ trap. Lacking motivation to cook for themselves, seniors may revert to simple meals, often of poor nutritional value. Comfort Keepers can suggest healthy recipes, help get ingredients, cook, and provide companionship. Combatting two mammoth challenges facing seniors: isolation and malnutrition.
‘Happy Baby’ Acupuncture Points
Moms-to-be, are you aware of the ‘Happy Baby’ acupuncture point? By stimulating this particular point around the 28th week, the transmission of toxins from mother to child can be minimized. This increases the health of the baby and its resistance to disease, as well as it strengthens the mother’s immune system. Classic TCM education says that needling the “Happy Baby” point during pregnancy allows the mother to have a happy baby that sleeps through the night.
