Dementia is a devastating disease that only gets worse over time. While there is little research on the impact of using alternative therapies for seniors struggling with dementia, many options help with relaxation and enjoyment in the moment, and that’s always beneficial. Researchers are examining alternative therapies to see if they have any effects on seniors. Without the research to back up beneficial claims, it’s best to use therapies of your choice to give seniors with dementia a pleasant experience and harness other benefits, such as the improved mobility or increased energy that acupuncture or chiropractic can offer.
Community News
Spring Into Love
Spring is a season of clichés — birds singing, bees buzzing and people falling madly in love. The love sickness can be blamed on one very real thing. Dopamine! Dopamine is a naturally occurring chemical your brain uses to make you want things. There are other systems involved in love, but when it comes to new love, dopamine is the main culprit. The newness of spring provides an ideal context for starting a new relationship. The changing weather and sunshine energize us — especially after hibernating all winter. We’ve survived winter and now it’s time to start your search for love with the help of an experienced matchmaker.
Allergy Season Is Back
Many people suffering from head pressure, itchy eyes, and a runny or stuffy nose this allergy season will find only temporary relief, or no relief at all, from over-the-counter remedies. Alternative approaches, such as nutritional supplementation and Biofeedback focus on more than just symptomatic relief. They enable the body’s ability to remove existing allergens imbedded in the sinus tissues, thereby minimizing the histamine and inflammatory reactions. This stops the over-production of mucus that the body makes to try and push the allergens out. Take a different approach this allergy season – treat the cause, not just the symptoms.
Seniors’ Nutrition
As people age, proper nutrition can become a challenge. For example, seniors may have smaller appetites, making it difficult to eat enough to ensure good nutrition. They may also have health conditions that change their sense of taste or smell, making some foods unappealing. In addition, seniors who once cooked big, healthy meals for family can find themselves uninspired by the thought of cooking for one or two. But good nutrition is important at every stage of life. Seniors should focus on eating a variety of foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, with some whole grains and protein to help ensure they are getting the nutrients they need.
Amazing Modern Prostheses
Do you know anyone with an artificial limb? If you said no, you’re probably wrong! Modern prostheses (proper name of an artificial limb) work so effectively and can look so convincing that you might not even know someone was using one. People with prosthetic legs can often climb stairs, walk, and run as well as those using natural limbs, while prosthetic hands have advanced to the point of individual control of all five fingers. You might think prostheses look boring, but they are among the world’s truly great inventions. By creating independence, they boost optimism and dramatically improve people’s lives.
Take a Load Off
Maintaining workplace mental health is vitally important. Stats show that most people spend the majority of their waking hours at work. Using break times is one effective way to improve overall mental health and boost productivity! Oftentimes, busy schedules and looming deadlines prevent us from taking breaks when we need them most. A short time away, doing something we enjoy, helps to reduce stress and emotional exhaustion, while providing a fresh focus and the necessary energy to accomplish tasks. Stretching, walking, listening to music, and reading or watching something funny are all ways to help lighten the load.
The Benefits of Massage for Children
Kids are flexible and bounce back from injury more quickly than adults, so we don’t often think about giving them massages. But massage therapy has many benefits for children. Massage lowers stress hormones—and stress is a big problem for kids in our fast-moving, achievement-oriented society. Massage can help calm children, giving them all the benefits of reduced stress, including better sleep and a lower risk of developing the many diseases that can result from stress. Massage also helps increase range of motion and decrease tension in the muscles, helping active children recover from physical injuries more quickly and prevent future injuries.
Pets and Bee Stings
Warmer weather, blooming plants and buzzing insects can all spell trouble for your pets. If your curious pooch or pouncing feline gets stung by a bee, here’s what you can do: Scrape away the stinger if you can find it. Pulling the stinger with fingers or tweezers could rupture the poison sac allowing toxin to enter the bloodstream. If no medical history or treatments contraindicate, administer 1 mg Benadryl® per pound of your pet’s body weight and apply a cold pack for short periods at a time. If swelling is severe or if ANY breathing difficulties develop, do not delay—seek veterinary attention immediately.
The Customer-Pharmacist Relationship
It’s important to have a good relationship with your pharmacist, as they are a valuable source of information and can help you make decisions on and better understand your medications and overall health. A good rule of thumb when it comes to determining what kind of relationship you have with your pharmacist is whether you know them by their first name. Pharmacists who offer a more personal experience can provide more individualized, specific information on your prescriptions. Your pharmacist should be available to answer questions you have and to explain in detail any medications you are taking for the first time.
Learning-Related Vision Disorders
While 20/20 vision is a great start, our vision is also related to how well our eyes work together with our brain to process visual information. Many children who suffer with vision problems can go undiagnosed since learning-related vision disorders may not be revealed through a regular eye exam. Lack of eye movement control, focusing difficulties, poor visual memory, and much more can make learning seem overwhelming. Without fundamental visual skills, children may have more difficulty with reading, writing, and comprehension at school. A developmental optometrist diagnoses and provides treatment options for learning-related vision disorders.
Manitoba’s Wellness Road Trips
Within a peaceful two-hour drive from Winnipeg in Hecla Island you will find Gull Harbour Marina. Situated at the heart of Lake Winnipeg, Gull Harbour Marina offers cozy private and semi-private cabins, newly renovated guest rooms, an onsite restaurant and bar, and stunning waterfront views. Travel to one of the most beautiful spots in Manitoba to enjoy the marina, lighthouse, hiking and biking trails, beaches, and golf course or rent a Jetski or Kayak for some fun on the water. Unwind, take in the breathtaking scenery, and focus on enjoying every minute of your stay. It’s the perfect destination for your next Manitoba wellness road trip.
