Community News
Matchmaking Testimonial

“I joined Camelot Introductions and found the love of my life! If it wasn’t for Lianne’s persistence, and her innate ability for matching people, then I would still be floundering. On-line dating was a waste of my time. Camelot was exactly what I was looking for – a professional service dedicated to matching people with similar interests and dreams. Getting married in November – I’ve never been happier! Thanks Lianne!”
~Brian. Camelot Introductions, CamelotIntroductions.com

Financial Fitness

Many of us have multiple income streams from side businesses or part-time/seasonal jobs. It’s important that we track multiple income streams properly to ensure we don’t end up with a large bill at tax time. One way to do this is to use a spreadsheet that includes the following categories: Employer, Gross Income, Income Tax, CPP, EI, and Net Income for each stream of income. Total all streams so that you can calculate the total earnings, tax, CPP, and EI deducted so far. Then determine what the actual deductions should be based on the combined income. The Canada Revenue Agency has a Payroll Deductions online calculator that is useful for this (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/bsnss/pdoc-eng.html). A qualified accountant can also help with any questions you might have.
Brian Denysuik, CREDITAID.ca

Communication Tips for Dementia

1. Set a positive mood. Use warm facial expressions and tone of voice to help convey your message and show your feelings of affection.
2. Listen with your ears, eyes, and heart. Be patient in waiting for your loved one’s reply. Watch for nonverbal cues and respond appropriately.
3. Remember the good ol’ days. Reminiscing is a soothing activity. Many people with dementia may not remember what happened 30 minutes ago, but they can clearly recall their lives 30 years earlier.
4. Laugh a little or a lot! Use humour whenever possible. People with dementia tend to retain their social skills and are usually delighted to laugh along with you.
Alevtina (Alia) Tuhari, Reliable Home Care Agency Inc., ReliableHomeCare.ca

Leggings for Chronic Illness

If you live with a chronic illness that causes pain, sensitivity, bloating, swelling, or nausea, it’s not always possible to throw on a pair of jeans or slacks. Many types of pants are made with coarse material and have seams that can dig into your skin and waistbands that can press into your stomach.
Leggings and yoga pants can be tight and uncomfortable for some; however, for many others in the chronic illness community, they may be the only types of pants that are bearable some days. Finding the perfect pair of leggings involves the right material, length, shape, thickness, snugness, elasticity… it all depends on what feels best to you. Shelley Harcus, She’s Got Leggs, ShesGotLeggs.com

Medication-Related Falls among Seniors

According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits among Canadian seniors. Between 20% and 30% of adults 65 and older have at least one fall per year. Medications are increasingly being recognized as contributors to falls, and common problematic medications include opioids, sedatives, anti-depressants, cardiac medications, and hypoglycemic agents such as insulin. It is important that seniors and their caregivers are aware of possible side effects of medications, and that correct dosages are given and any negative drug interactions are avoided. A pharmacist can assist in determining how and when to use medications to help avoid injury from falls.Source used: https://www.ismp-canada.org/download/safetyBulletins/2015/ISMPCSB2015-12_Falls.pdf. Care at Home Pharmacy, CareAtHomePharmacy.ca

Lose Weight & Still Enjoy Wine!

Research suggests people who follow a Mediterranean diet lose 52% more weight than the standard low-fat diet because it isn’t just a fad or limited list of foods. It’s a lifestyle based on a balanced approach to your meals, which focuses on produce, healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, fish, and even some red wine. Committing to losing weight for three months using the Mediterranean diet as a base, along with three booster products and three lifestyle changes, guarantees results. And there is no meal skipping! Look and feel great for all of your holiday parties and events!
Valdine – Modere, Valdine.ca

Beat Illness with Naturopathic Approaches

1. Hydrate. Water, water with lemon or frozen fruit, caffeine-free herbal teas, and soups.
2. Eat lots of fruits and veggies, healthy fats and adequate protein, fibre, and minimal simple sugars.
3. Get enough sleep so healing can occur.
4. Practice good hygiene through frequent hand washing, and for sinuses, use a Neti pot.
5. Get moderate to vigorous exercise 30-60 minutes a day.
6. Sweat. Go to a sauna or have a bath with Epsom salts.
7. Meditate. Use breathing exercises to relax the mind and decrease cortisol that contributes to the stress response.
8. Practice self-care to manage stress through dancing, yoga, or time spent with loved ones.
9. Use supplements to boost the immune system if your lifestyle isn’t as healthy as it should be. Dr. Ana Cvitko, ND, Healthy by Nature, DrAnaCvitkoND.com

What to Ask an HVAC Company

Before selecting an HVAC company to work in your home, there are a number of factors you need to take into consideration. Heating, cooling, and hot water systems are critical for your family’s well-being and should be given an appropriate amount of attention. Here are five questions you should ask before you hire someone.
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? How much experience do you have? Can you supply references? Do you offer warranties and guarantees? What do you charge?
4 Seasons Heating, Cooling & Electrical., ServiceMyHome.ca

Natural Product Review: pureWash Pro

Are you still using detergent to wash your clothes? There’s a healthier, safer, and smarter way to do laundry. The secret is activated oxygen. PureWash Pro transforms ordinary water into a powerful cleaning agent by adding dissolved oxygen, giving you clean clothes while killing up to 99.9% of pathogens, mold, and bacteria. Used by hotels and hospitals for years, this amazing and affordable cleaning and disinfecting technology is now available for home use. Get your clothes clean without the need for soap or bleach, using only cold water. The oxidizing technology helps relax fabrics, so your clothes stay wrinkle-free without using fabric softener. Ideal for anyone with skin sensitivities, this is a product that everyone should use. Protect the environment, your clothes, and your washer. PureWash Pro pays for itself in months, saving you hundreds of dollars on hot water costs and laundry products. See the PureWash Pro at Aviva Natural Health Solutions, AvivaHealth.com

Book Club:

The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
by Chip Heath, Dan Heath
Many of the defining moments in our lives are the result of accident or luck—but why would we leave our most meaningful, memorable moments to chance when we can create them? The Power of Moments shows us how to be the author of richer experiences.