Fall is a wonderful season for seniors to focus on wellness while enjoying the beauty of autumn. Taking walks among colorful leaves offers fresh air and light exercise, while seasonal recipes like hearty soups and roasted vegetables provide warmth and nourishment. As days grow cooler, gentle indoor activities such as stretching, yoga, or crafting can keep the body and mind active. Seniors can also embrace social opportunities by attending local harvest festivals, joining clubs, or volunteering in the community. Preparing the home for colder months and supporting immune health ensures a safe, vibrant, and enjoyable autumn season.
Community News
How Smoking Weakens the Immune System
Smoking harms the immune system by exposing the body to thousands of toxic chemicals that damage cells and reduce their ability to fight infections. It lowers levels of protective antioxidants, like vitamin C, and weakens immune cells such as white blood cells, making it harder to defend against viruses and bacteria. Smokers are more prone to illnesses like pneumonia, flu, and respiratory infections, and wounds or injuries often take longer to heal. Over time, smoking can also trigger chronic inflammation, which further disrupts immune balance. Quitting smoking allows the immune system to gradually recover and function more effectively.
Did You Know?
Did you know? Arthritis isn’t just one disease—it actually refers to over 100 different types of joint conditions, each affecting the body in unique ways.
Clean Eating Recipe
Sweet Potato Brownies. Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8” baking dish with parchment. Cook sweet potatoes until soft, cool and puree. In a bowl, mix sweet potato puree, ½ cup peanut butter, ⅓ cup maple syrup, 2 eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth. In another bowl, combine ⅔ cup whole wheat flour, ½ cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt. Stir dry ingredients into wet, then fold in ⅔ cup chocolate chips. Spread batter in dish and bake 20-25 minutes until set.
Book Club:
The Holistic Rheumatoid Arthritis Guide: Take Control, Find Relief and Thrive. By Dr. Ananta Subedi, MD, MPH. A step-by-step guide to reversing inflammation, easing joint pain, and embracing a healthier, vibrant life. Whether you’re struggling with symptoms, or searching for a natural and effective approach to relief pain from rheumatoid arthritis, this book delivers what you need.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
There’s a new machine down at the gym today. I used it for an hour and felt sick, it’s great though, got everything, KitKats, M&Ms, Snickers, the lot!
Support for Dementia Journey
Hearing the words, “you have dementia,” can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate your next steps alone. This World Alzheimer’s Month, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba encourages you to increase your understanding of dementia and the supports available to you through its First Link® Dementia Helpline, education sessions, community programming, support groups and more. When you connect with the Society, their caring staff of experts will listen to your experience and welcome you into a community of support. Discover your path forward today. Learn more by visiting
Is Arthritis Preventable?
You can’t always prevent arthritis, but there are a few healthy habits you can practice to reduce your risk. One thing you can do is consume more fish. Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy polyunsaturated fat. Omega-3s have several health benefits, and they can reduce inflammation in the body, lowering your arthritis risk. You should also focus on exercise, which not only takes the stress of excess weight off your joints, but also strengthens the muscles around the joints. Try your best to avoid injury. When you injure your joints, you can damage the cartilage and cause it to wear out more quickly.
Denture Tips for Arthritis Patients
Arthritis can make managing daily tasks, like maintaining dentures, more challenging. The condition often affects the hands, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced dexterity, which can complicate handling and cleaning dentures. For individuals with severe arthritis, inserting and removing dentures can become difficult, impacting oral health and overall well-being. Adaptive tools, such as denture brushes with enlarged handles or specialized grips, can make the process easier. Additionally, regular denture check-ups are crucial to ensure a proper fit, as ill-fitting dentures can exacerbate discomfort. With proper care and the right tools, individuals with arthritis can maintain their dentures and oral health effectively.
Caring for the Caregiver
Caring for the caregiver is caring for the patient. GSHSW supports both. Like fitting your oxygen mask first, caregivers must protect their own health to effectively support loved ones. Dementia’s toll isn’t limited to patients—family caregivers often face isolation, stress, and burnout. As the disease progresses, these challenges grow. Though dementia patients benefit from remaining at home with loved ones, the burden on caregivers can become overwhelming. Many eventually make the difficult decision to seek long-term care, often just when the patient’s need for familiarity peaks. Supporting caregivers is essential to sustaining compassionate, effective dementia care.
Understanding Histamine Intolerance
Frequent headaches, flushing, digestive upset, or allergy-like symptoms without a clear cause may point to histamine intolerance. Histamine is a natural compound involved in immunity, digestion, and nerve signaling. It’s found in certain foods and produced by the body, then broken down by enzymes like DAO and HNMT. When histamine builds up faster than it’s cleared, symptoms occur. Common signs include headaches, rashes, nasal congestion, bloating, diarrhea, and anxiety. Causes may include low DAO activity, gut imbalances (like SIBO), mold exposure, or high-histamine foods such as aged cheeses, fermented products, alcohol, and processed meats. Identifying triggers and supporting healthy histamine metabolism—often with diet and gut support—can bring significant relief.
