One of the most underreported crimes in Canada is elder abuse. As of 2016 over 700,000 reports of abuse were recorded. Some abuse is invisible like neglect, psychological abuse and abuse of finances. The people most vulnerable are those who live in social isolation or suffer serious health conditions. And when it comes to physical abuse, data from statistics Canada shows 60% of senior domestic violence victims are female. Warning signs for elder abuse include: Anxiety or fearfulness about someone the elderly individual should trust. Dehydration, poor nutrition, or poor hygiene. Speak to your loved ones about elder abuse and learn more about the resources available to help victims in your community.
Community News
Choosing a Health Advocate
One of the most important steps in a senior’s life is to choose the right health advocate.
Your advocate could be your family member or your friend; someone you can trust with your health concerns. The advocate will play a very important role in your healthcare plans in the future.
For example, they can go with you to a doctor, the lab, your pharmacy, or the hospital.
It is very important to name an advocate before you need one, and you can decide the limits of their authority.
You can find more information, videos, and a “My Patient Advocate Agreement” form at www.safetoask.ca
Using Over The Counter Medications Safely
Over the counter medications can treat many conditions and make you feel better but not all of them may be appropriate for you! For example, certain OTC medications may not be recommended if a patient has high blood pressure or if they’re pregnant. Certain OTC medications may also interact with other prescription meds that a patient has. If a healthcare professional has told you that the OTC medication is safe to use, also make sure you are following the directions properly! Contact your pharmacist to find out if you can safely use your OTC medications of if you have any other health related questions!
Meet the Practitioner
Denturist Maggie Makaruk DD, has practiced at Anna’s Denture Clinic for the last 18 years. Anna’s Denture Clinic is a boutique denture clinic that has been serving the community for over 30 years. Maggie personally customizes your treatment plan for your particular needs and requirements. She gives her complete attention to detail to ensure the best fit and aesthetic, so that your dentures meet or exceed all your expectations and you’ll have that perfect smile! Maggie makes herself available to answer any and all questions to make you comfortable during the treatment and well beyond.
Suffering From Heel Pain?
Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by repetitive overstretching of the ligaments that support the arch. Having proper supportive footwear, along with gel heel insoles, will help with your symptoms and make walking more tolerable. Be sure to roll the arch of your foot first thing in the morning and wear slippers on hardwood and laminate flooring at home to cushion the heel and avoid further inflammation. Pain relieving modalities such as ultrasound, acupuncture, and shockwave therapy, along with appropriate stretches and exercises, can also help reduce pain and inflammation and get you healing the proper way.
Benefits of Blue Light-Blocking Glasses
Exposure to artificial light at the wrong times of day is one of the largest often-overlooked health risks of living in the 21st century. Blocking blue light serves an important biological purpose, helping to regulate your internal clock to control sleep patterns and other body functions; avoiding blue light at night is crucial to protecting your health. One of the least expensive and simplest ways to protect your body’s internal rhythm, and thereby support healthy sleep and a lowered risk of many chronic diseases, is to wear blue-light-blocking glasses at night.
What You Don’t Hear
When someone has moderate hearing loss they will hear relatively well if you are talking to them face to face in a quiet environment. They will not hear well if you are walking away from them, in a different room, or if noise is present. People with hearing loss may be unaware of the extent of it: that’s where loved ones come in. Family members who have grown frustrated with them not being able to hear are the ones to prompt them to get a hearing test. Encourage them to have their hearing tested, you will be doing them and yourself a big favour in the long run.
Book Club
Hack Your Anxiety: How to Make Anxiety Work for You in Life, Love, and All That You Do. What if anxiety is not a monster to be tamed, but a resource to be tapped? In this revolutionary book, Dr. Alicia Clark recognizes anxiety as the unsung hero in the path to success and happiness. It can become the motivating force that will lead to a better you, and The Anxiety Advantage aims to restore anxiety to its rightful place as a positive resource. Reclaim your anxiety as a powerful energy source, ad bring yourself peace, growth and success.
Benefits of a Removable Partial Denture
A removable partial denture (RPD) replaces one or more missing teeth. Your denturist will personally design an RPD to help limit movement (tipping and migrating) of your natural teeth. The design will also provide even contact between teeth to allow for better grinding/chewing of your food for easier digestion. Metal partials are preferred, as they are structurally superior, thinner, and more hygienic than an acrylic partial. By replacing any missing natural teeth with an RPD, a natural appearance and speech clarity is restored, along with the ability to chew more efficiently.
Exercise for SAD
SAD stands for Seasonal Affected Disorder, which is mainly attributed to the reduction in sunlight hours in winter and is your body’s reaction to the changes in season. With SAD you might feel sluggish or moody, have a loss of appetite, and even lose interest in activities you normally love. One way to combat these feelings and the wintertime blues is to get your body moving! Exercise, even light exercise, has been shown to improve mood and energy through increased blood flow and the release of certain endorphins, as well as improve sleep and alertness, and reduce anxiety and stress.
When You’re Missing Teeth
Missing teeth due to an accident, genetics, disease, and other reasons can cause patients to experience various problems. People’s confidence can decrease from having teeth missing from their smile because they feel more self-conscious and insecure. Missing teeth can also cause people to chew differently, which may mean they are not breaking up food properly. This can result in choking problems, digestive problems, and issues with their jaw. Infections can develop in those who are missing teeth if bacteria collect in those areas, and speech can also be negatively affected. The good news is that the right dentures can eliminate these problems.
