Several studies have shown social isolation can negatively affect your health. This National Institute on Aging primer notes that loneliness can lead to high blood pressure, depression, and put you at greater risk of illness. That could mean more doctor’s visits and higher health care costs. And what if you or your loved one takes a fall with no one around? Beyond the physical pain, the financial implications could be high. And then there’s the emotional toll of social isolation, which can be even more devastating. These are all things to consider when deciding whether you or your loved one spend the next chapter of life at home or in a senior living community.
Community News
Words to Live By
There are greater things to be achieved in every New Year, and each and everyone must prepare themselves to be great, not by words of the mouth, but by a lot of sacrifices. – Michael Bassey Johnson
Book Club: Regaining Who You Are
By Cindy Matychak, Spiritual Author, Advanced Life Coach, Reiki Master. You are not who you think you are. There is much more to you and your world. Each of us has come into this lifetime to expand our consciousness and find our true place. In Regaining Who You Are you will discover why you are here and what you are being asked to heal in this lifetime.
Avoid the Winter Blues
The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines suggest adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, as well as two sessions of muscle and bone strengthening activities, to achieve physical AND mental health benefits. With winter coming, and the challenges of leaving home, this can seem daunting! Your physiotherapist can tailor an exercise program designed specifically for you to do inside with minimal space (to help avoid the cold weather!), and with equipment everyone has around their home. At 30 minutes per day, the benefits of exercise are countless, while the side effects are minimal.
When a Loved One Has Dementia
Loving someone with dementia can be a challenging task, one that puts a lot of pressure on a caregiver. Here are a few simple things to keep in mind: 1. Be realistic when it comes to expectations for yourself and for your loved one. 2. Develop a routine. Those with dementia can struggle with confusion and frustration. Especially as the disease progresses, it is important to create a solid routine and schedule to provide some predictability and help keep some peace of mind. 3. Focus on nutrition. There is a strong connection between lifestyle choices such as diet and memory diseases.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are nurses with an advanced degree or doctorate who can perform most of the same skills that a physician can. NPs cannot bill for services, but the client has to cover the necessary costs. NP skills include conducting assessments, diagnosing, writing prescriptions for all medications, and performing procedures like draining abscesses, inserting IUDs, performing PAP tests, casting, reading x-rays, suturing, and performing some surgeries. NPs can also make referrals to other physicians or services, complete required government forms, admit and discharge patients to and from the hospital, prescribe medicinal marijuana, and perform medical assistance in dying (MAID).
Stress Handling With Biofeedback
Every day, we have an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts running through our minds. Considering that our minds can only handle 7-10 bits of information at a time, no wonder we start to feel overwhelmed, especially at this time of the year. Unmanaged stress contributes to many health issues, such as headaches, exhaustion, insomnia, chronic pain, and depression, to name a few. Alternative approaches such as Biofeedback testing and treatment are very effective at handling stress. It detects imbalances, or weaknesses, in the stress handling areas of the body, and in turn, stimulates the affected areas to help the mind and body process and handle stress better.
Laser Treatment for Snoring?
NightLase is a leading-edge laser procedure using energy to stimulate the tissues of the airway causing a tightening effect which helps keep your airway open, thus improving your daily sleep. Simply put, research has shown that NightLase® reduces snoring and provides an effective, non-invasive way to lessen the effects of sleep apnea WITHOUT requiring a device to be worn during sleep. This laser therapy involves no chemical treatment, and no anesthesia. It is a gentle and easy way for you and your loved ones to regain a good night’s rest.
Do You Suffer From Vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation of spinning dizziness. It is not, as many people maintain, a fear of heights. It is often associated with looking down from a great height but can refer to any temporary or ongoing spells of dizziness caused by problems in the inner ear or brain. If your Vertigo is neurologically based and not an inner ear issue, consider wearing neurological socks or insoles. These are designed to help increase balance and mobility. Perhaps they may be a good fit for you.
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.
Effectively Managing Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition and requires specific, lifelong management. It’s estimated that more than 6 million Canadians are at risk of developing diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not enough to be type 2 diabetes. Managing your health is critical to helping delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Cardio 1 Medical is a specialist clinic in Winnipeg and working together with your pharmacist they can support you in managing your diabetes effectively by reviewing any current medications, educating you about diabetes symptoms to be aware of, supporting you with healthy lifestyle changes, and offering products and tools to monitor your blood glucose.
