While we all look forward to spending quality time with family and friends during the holiday season, it can be an overwhelming time for many – and even more so for people with dementia and their care partners. You are not alone. The Alzheimer Society is ready to offer support, guidance and a compassionate ear to help families navigate through difficult times.
Contact the Alzheimer Society this holiday season to speak with someone who can help guide you through your next steps by visiting alzheimer.mb.ca, emailing [email protected] or calling 204-943-6622 or 1-800-378-6699.
Community News
Healthy Peppermint Bark
Dark Chocolate Layer: 2 cups Greek yogurt; 1/2 cup maple syrup divided; 1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract; 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder. White Peppermint Layer: 2 cups Greek yogurt; 1/4 cup pure maple syrup divided; 1 tsp peppermint extract; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. For the dark chocolate layer, combine 2 cups of yogurt, cocoa powder, 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, and 1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract. Stir to combine. Spread the mixture onto lined baking sheet. Freeze 30 min. For the white layer, combine the remaining yogurt, remaining ¼ cup pure maple syrup, 1 tsp peppermint extract, and ½ tsp vanilla extract. Spread the white layer over the frozen chocolate layer, and freeze for 3-4 hours. When completely frozen, break into bite-size portions and enjoy!
Book Club: The Mountain is You
Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest
Coexisting but conflicting needs create self-sabotaging behaviors. This is why we resist efforts to change, often until they feel completely futile. But by extracting crucial insight from our most damaging habits, building emotional intelligence by better understanding our brains and bodies, releasing past experiences at a cellular level, and learning to act as our highest potential future selves, we can step out of our own way and into our potential.
Words to Live By
“Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful and joyful holiday season. Invest time for everyday wellness and create great choices for self-care and healthy living throughout 2024. Thank you for supporting Local” – Happy Holidays from the Wellnessnews Team
How Choice Makes All The Difference
“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” —Plato, quoting Aristotle. November is Men’s Health Month this month we look at how the choices we make shape our destiny. Join a group of ordinary men working towards living extraordinary lives. Your families, communities and especially yourself need you!
Coping with Senior Isolation
One of the biggest issues for seniors is that their social circles begin to shrink as the years go by. Friends, spouses, and family members move or pass away. Even those who still live close may be inaccessible due to limited mobility, especially once a senior can no longer drive safely. Age-related changes in one’s physical condition, such as hearing loss, can make it so difficult to communicate that it doesn’t seem worth the effort anymore. Local senior centers or agencies are great resources providing home-visitation services as well as community transportation and outings. Do you have a loved one who may be lonely? Try to put in more effort to spend time with them.
Disability Tax Credit for Type 1 Diabetes
The Disability Tax Credit is a program designed to help those with disabilities or their caregivers reduce the amount of income tax they pay, offsetting some of the significant medical and treatment expenses. What diabetes-related activities are covered? According to CRA, the following activities qualify in the 14-hour-per-week calculation: • Checking blood glucose levels • Preparing and administering the insulin • Calibrating necessary equipment • Testing ketones • Keeping a log book of blood glucose levels. With children, the 14-hour-per-week eligibility criteria can usually be met by combining the parent and child’s time. T1D is an expensive disease, and the disability tax credit can provide some financial relief for those who qualify.
Breathe in a Sigh of Relief
Greentech Environmental’s PureHEPA+ Air Purifier emerges as a vital ally against the rising threat of wildfire smoke and persistent odors. Amidst increasing wildfire incidents, this eco-friendly air purifier offers respite, efficiently capturing harmful smoke particles with its HEPA filtration system. What sets it apart is its ability to eliminate odors using an activated carbon filter, ensuring your space always smells fresh. Beyond its performance, PureHEPA+ embodies eco-consciousness, consuming minimal energy and featuring durable construction to minimize waste. In an era where environmental responsibility is paramount, Greentech’s PureHEPA+ supports the relationship between technology and nature, providing a breath of fresh air for a sustainable future.
Three Tips to Boost Focus
1. Practice Mindful Journaling: set aside time every day to write down how you are feeling right now, sensations you feel, and why you are feeling the way you are. Do this without judgement and be kind to yourself. 2. Practice Gratitude: every day tell a family member or colleague three things you are grateful for – your overall positivity will skyrocket after one month. 3. Try Uni-tasking. That is, focus only on one thing at a time. Want more tips? Check out our full Guide to Mindfulness at Work on our website.
Avoid Emotional Overspending
Many families are now opting for a simple, direct cremation with no funeral. Yet they keep returning to a traditional funeral home to arrange this sacred act. At Branch & Pyre Cremation Care, we are funeral home free, and offer a new, modern way to make these difficult arrangements. From the comfort of your home, you can now make this important decision from your computer, with 24 hr licensed funeral director support. You can then easily plan a memorial or Celebration of Life after. A simple cremation deserves a simple and dignified process.
Look for Local: Lupin’s Best
Locally made here in Manitoba, Lupin’s Best makes a delicious low-carb, low-sugar pizza crust for healthy eaters and diabetics alike! This is possible thanks to the Lupin bean that originates in the Mediterranean and Western Australia. One quarter of our crust contains 1 gram of sugar and 2 net carbs compared to 30 net carbs of traditional crusts along with: 3 times more plant protein than quinoa, 3 times more fiber than oats, 3 times more antioxidants than berries, 3 times more potassium than bananas, and 3 times more iron than kale! Look for Lupin’s Best at Sobeys Extra Brandon South.
