Community News
Spring Nutrition for Seniors

Spring brings with it a crop of nutrient-rich superfoods that are especially beneficial for older adults. As you age, it’s vital to eat healthy foods to maintain weight, manage and prevent diabetes and boost brain health. Spring is a great time to swap out processed foods that lack nutritional value for fresh fruits and vegetables. Some spring super-foods that are perfect for seniors to enjoy include artichokes, leaks, asparagus, green peas, watercress, strawberries and spinach. These springtime favourites are packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants needed to live a healthy lifestyle.

Tick and Heartworm Season is Here

There are several kinds of ticks crawling around Manitoba, including the Deer Tick which is responsible for transmitting Lyme Disease. Symptoms of Lyme Disease include fever, sore joints, lethargy, and a loss of appetite. Ticks tend to latch on in areas with less fur such as ears, eyes, groin, underbelly and paw pads. Make sure you are performing thorough full body checks for ticks on a regular basis. Heartworm is transmitted by infected mosquitos. Symptoms may include mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue, and weight loss. Consult your veterinarian for the best preventative measures and medications for your pets.

Put a Spring in Your Step!

Spring has sprung, the snow has melted, birds are returning, everything is waking up and becoming alive once again. How about you? Now is the time for healthy change, time to renew and start fresh. Start by ditching the old unhealthy habits and trying something different, like getting outside and moving towards a positive goal and away from the dead weight of your addiction. You are greater than your addiction and can change if you are willing to put in the work. Reach out for support and come alive in news ways this season! Healthy change starts now!

Seniors Conquering Anxiety Together

As we age, anxiety becomes more common, influenced by economic uncertainties, climate changes, misinformation, and the pandemic’s aftermath. Seniors face worries about financial stability, health, and isolation. Fear of life change, along with concerns about dependence and loss, looms large. Addressing these anxieties entails fostering connections. Through meaningful connections within retirement living facilities, they find support, companionship, and resilience, mitigating anxiety’s grip and fostering a fulfilling sense of community and belonging.

Signs of Too Much Screen Time

Our eyes are not designed to focus on digital devices that are 1 to 3 feet away for extended periods of time. Concentrating in front of a computer can slow your blink rate by a third, which dries the surface of the eyes. Common symptoms of too much screen time include tired, dry, red eyes; headaches; loss of concentration; and trouble remembering what was read. If it’s possible, reduce your screen time and apply the 20-20-20 rule: take a break every 20 minutes and look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. We recommend blue light filters as well as ocular lubricants to ease eye strain symptoms.

Disability Tax Benefits

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit aiding individuals with physical or mental impairments in reducing income tax. It extends to those supporting disabled individuals or their spouses. Applicable at federal and provincial levels, the DTC aims to level the tax playing field between those with and without disabilities. Individuals facing additional costs related to medical care, food, housing, transportation, and personal assistance services can find financial relief by claiming the DTC on their tax return. Moreover, DTC eligibility opens doors to complementary government programs, such as the Registered Disability Savings Plan, Child Disability Benefit, Canada Worker’s Benefit Disability Supplement, and Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit.

Avoid Injury This Spring

Spring means two things: yard work and stiff, sore muscles. Stretching to prepare muscles for strenuous activities that have not been done since fall is very important. Simple things like doing arm circles, shrugging your shoulders, and touching your toes should be done before and after activity. If you do over-exert and your neck, shoulder, arm, or back pain is not going away within a week, there are natural alternatives that can help. Options such as Biofeedback, designed nutritional formulations, or NIR Therapy will reduce inflammation and stimulate muscle repair to help you recover quickly and get back to enjoying spring.

Keep Living Your Best Life

A good retirement residence is not just a convenient place to live, it’s an environment in which you can pursue your passions, thrive and continue living with purpose. It may be daunting to think about moving into a retirement home, but have you considered how your life might improve by making this change? Meet a new network of friends, build new relationships, and take part in activities you once enjoyed, or commit to learning something new! Leave the worrying behind when it comes to home maintenance, meal preparation and your own safety – and have us do it for you!

Grass-Fed Beef Benefits

Understanding grass-fed, grass-finished, and grain-fed beef reveals significant advantages. Grass-fed and grass-finished beef offer numerous benefits: 1: Fewer Calories: Switching to grass-fed beef can save calories yearly due to lower fat content. 2: Supports Healthy Blood Sugar: CLA in grass-fed beef aids insulin sensitivity, promoting better blood sugar control. 3: Electrolytes: Grass-fed beef replenishes essential electrolytes, crucial during dietary changes. 4. Healthy Fats: Grass-fed beef offers six times more omega–3 fatty acids than grain-fed, reducing inflammation and improving mental health.

Clean Ducts, Healthy Homes

Regular duct cleaning offers several key benefits. Firstly, it diminishes dirt and debris buildup, reducing the need for constant cleaning and preventing potential pest infestations. Secondly, it lowers the levels of toxins like mold, mildew, and bacteria, ensuring a healthier living environment. For individuals with allergies or asthma, clean ducts can alleviate symptoms by minimizing allergen circulation. Additionally, maintaining ducts prolongs the life of your HVAC system, saving on potential replacements and reducing monthly electricity costs by optimizing system efficiency. Routine cleaning also lowers the risk of fire hazards associated with debris accumulation in ducts.