With the vast changes in restrictions and what seems to be a never-ending pandemic, many are unable to meet the daily physical recommendations. However, there are many alternatives to staying active without attending a fitness facility. Apps like Fitbit, Strava and even your iPhone Fitness app can monitor your steps, routes, heart rate, and hourly activity to ensure you meet daily recommendations. Getting up and moving is more than enough to stay healthy and by tracking your progress, you can see the changes. The upcoming summer season should be more than enough of a reason to get outside and move!
Community News
Which Sunscreen is Best?
Summer is here! Have you been protecting yourself against sun exposure? When selecting a sunscreen, go for the “broad spectrum” protection. Sunscreens with this label protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against harmful rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. Secondly, look at the ingredients. Physical blockers (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) provide the best protection and cause less skin irritation than chemical sunscreens.
Financial Fitness
A relatively new financial offering, residential sale and leaseback (aka Sell ’n STAY) allows homeowners to leverage the equity they have built up in their home without having to leave it, since they can sell their home and lease it back. A couple of important things you should know about Sell ’n STAY include: 1) It involves fewer restrictions. Reverse mortgages often have age restrictions, while HELOC loans often have credit restrictions. Sell ’n STAY offers more flexibility. 2) It’s a good option for those who are more concerned with a stable place to live than with owning a home.
Aging At Home
Many seniors would prefer to stay at home than move into a senior care home, but there are some challenges to consider. Factors like finances, physical mobility, social network, health concerns, and safety in the home are all things to think about. If you decide to remain in your home, discuss your plans with your family or a trusted advisor. It’s important to prepare your home to ensure you can live comfortably and safely there, using various aids and tools to make things easier. In-home care can also provide much-needed day-to-day support, as well as transportation to appointments and gatherings.
Living Sustainably: But There’s More…
For decades we have been warned that not changing our wasteful ways to be better stewards of our planet would lead to dire consequences. So, we compost, recycle, lower our thermostats, buy local and more. But there’s one more thing. Your environmental stewardship does not stop when your heart does. Reconsider your end of life plans to include sustainable funeral alternatives. No embalming; local, earth-friendly caskets; no concrete grave boxes are a few examples. Richard Rosin Funeral Director Ltd., your Green Funeral provider, helps guide you in creating a funeral event that is kinder and gentler to our planet.
Natural Product Spotlight
The Raspberry Moisturizing Cream for dry and mature skin by Herbs & Butters Skincare is all-natural, vegan, biodegradable, and contains no parabens, sulfates or formaldehydes. Intelligently formulated with love by a local chemist, this lightweight moisturizing cream offers deep hydration and effectively improves the skin’s overall texture and elasticity. Raspberry seed oil helps to promote the regeneration of new skin cells, fights age spots and protects against premature aging. Other key ingredients like macadamia nut oil, sea buckthorn oil, oat protein, hemp seed oil, avocado oil, and olive oil help to effectively protect, soothe, moisturize, and nourish the skin.
Young Living – For Men
After a workout, massage the Cool Azul™ Pain Relief Cream into your skin for relief of aches and pains. Your muscles will thank you for ditching the synthetic ingredients and you can continue crushing the weights, tearing up the fairway or hiking to your highest heights. When you’re done, treat your face to Shutran™ Shave Cream and stand out from the pack. It is full of hydrating ingredients and pure essential oils that’ll give you a close shave with a great fragrance. Lastly, for a great super-charge, grab some NingXia Zyng™ for a delicious splash of hydration.
Smoking, Vaping and COVID-19
If you smoke or vape, are you at a higher risk of getting COVID-19? This is a common question, and since there is strong evidence that smoking can increase your risk of viral and bacterial infections (like colds and flus), it’s possible that it could increase your risk of getting COVID-19 as well. Smoking can weaken your body’s immune cells over time, making it harder to fight infections, and also negatively impacts your lung function. Quitting smoking with the aid of treatments like laser therapy is a good way to help limit your risk of experiencing complications from COVID-19.
Weight Loss & Dentures
It may come as a surprise to you, but when you lose weight, your clothes are not the only thing that you’ll notice become loose! Your weight loss can affect the fit and suction of your dentures, causing them to be uncomfortable. Weight loss causes changes to your entire body, including your mouth and gums. However, there is a solution: your Denturist can perform a simple procedure called a reline. A reline will “tighten up” your dentures so they fit well, create good suction, and feel comfortable again.
Alzheimer Support Programs
Even at the best of times, those living with dementia can be isolated, and right now, the challenges families face are heightened. You are not alone. The Alzheimer Society is here to help. We have locations across the province to provide you with information, education and support. We’ve pivoted to virtual programming so you can join our education sessions, Minds in Motion® program and support groups from the comfort of your own home. Contact us today to reach a reassuring ear by phone or get a quick response by email. Visit our website to find an office near you.
Hearing Loss and Brain Health
Hearing involves not only your ears but also the brain, so it’s no wonder that hearing loss can go hand in hand with thinking and memory problems. Studies are increasingly linking hearing loss to issues such as faster brain shrinkage, earlier onset of significant cognitive impairment, and up to a quintupled risk of dementia. Addressing conditions such as hearing loss, however, could help prevent a third of dementia cases worldwide, per a UK research collaborative. With hearing health and overall wellness so connected, it’s important to seek regular hearing checks and address listening difficulties early.
