Did you know that you can have cardiovascular disease without experiencing any symptoms? Many people are not diagnosed until the condition worsens to the point where they have angina, stroke, or heart failure: that’s why it is important to start taking steps towards a healthy heart and arteries today. A good screening test for early signs of disease is Digital Pulsewave Analysis (DPA). This Health Canada approved, non-invasive method will show you how your cardiovascular system is working. This information can then be used to devise a specific program to improve your cardiovascular health before symptoms occur.
Community News
Flowers and Their Meanings
Flowers are a great Valentine’s Day gift and can be very personal, as each flower and colour has a specific meaning. Some examples include: 1) Roses – pink is for poetic romance, red is for love and passion, and yellow is for friendship. 2) Peonies – symbolize prosperity and romance. 3) Carnations – red symbolizes love and admiration. 4) Tulips – red is for true love and white is for forgiveness. 5) Orchids – purple symbolizes admiration and respect. 6) Gerbera Daisies – symbolize happiness. 7) Gardenias – symbolize purity and love. 8) Irises – yellow is for passion. 9) Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily) – symbolizes friendship and devotion.
Tips for Staying Mentally Sharp
While many of us are spending more time at home, and possibly watching more television, it’s important to remember that your brain needs to stay in shape too! As we get older, the brain starts to experience normal age-related declines just like every other part of the body. So here are a few tips to improve your mental fitness: Learn something new – the brain is a learning machine and needs to be continually challenged to stay sharp. Incorporate some skill-based games like chess, sudoku, or crossword puzzles into your routine and try to exercise more – fit people have fit brains!
Hearing Loss and Heart Disease
It might come as a surprise, but there is a connection between heart health and hearing. Both rely on blood flow, so heart problems that cause plaque buildup in the arteries and restrict blood flow can potentially damage ears. Nerves in the ears can also be damaged by poor circulation. Studies have shown that the better someone’s cardiovascular health, the better their hearing tends to be. It’s important that older adults eat a healthy, balanced diet; get regular exercise; quit smoking and have their hearing tested every two years, to help maintain a healthy heart, and therefore healthy ears.
Smart Eating Tips
Eating right plays a major part in a senior’s quality of life. Some important dietary factors that should be considered include: Sodium – OK in moderation, as long as the foods are high-quality. Fats – Monitor saturated and trans fatty acids, and lean more towards monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (like omega-3s). Carbohydrates – Spread carbohydrates throughout the day to manage blood sugar. Protein – Increase protein intake to maintain muscle mass. Fibre – Eat plenty of fibre and drink plenty of water. Sugar – Consume in moderation. Vitamin D – Consider taking a daily vitamin D3 supplement if sun exposure and dairy intake are limited.
Local WellnessBOX Winner!
Congratulations to Gayle Erlendson the winner of our January Local WellnessBox. A prize package worth over $700 filled by Local Businesses from Hashtag Balance, Yourstyle Financial, San Vito Coffee House, Christina Norris Salon and Soy Harvest Candles. Subscribe to WellnessNEWS.ca & ManitobaWellnessHUB.ca for your chance to win! Thank you for supporting LOCAL.
Who We Are
Archwood 55 Plus is a community-based non-profit, charitable organization offering lunches, art and fitness classes, social activities, bus trips and other services to adults ages 55 and older living in the Winnipeg area. Our goal is to encourage graceful aging and empower older adults to lead healthy and active lives while socializing with their peers.
Volunteer Opportunities
We currently run our club with one staff member, in addition to our class instructors, so we are extremely grateful and reliant on our member volunteers to help us with running our programs. We are always looking for talented individuals that can share their crafty side for new programming as we develop more activities. Interested in giving back? Whatever your skill or your age, we can find a place for you. To find out how you can help, call 204-416-1067 or email us at [email protected]. Remember we are a club of people that look out for each other, and volunteering is an important way to give back!
Virtual Programming
Archwood 55 Plus conducted class registration on January 5 and 6th. We opted to pivot back to on-line activities with Zoom classes for Yoga, Low Impact Cardio and Line Dancing. We will revert back to on-site programming for all of our classes when it is prudent. We are adding in a number of Zoom lectures such as Managing the Winter Blues by CMHA on Feb 22 at 1 PM.
Please check our website or call us at 204-416-1067 for details. The situation is quite dynamic so please keep checking to as we add programming.
Bathing Comfortably and Safely
Many seniors prefer to age in place in the comfort of their own home, which allows them to maintain dignity and independence. Having a safe home is crucial to ensuring that aging in place is successful, and that can often involve making some adjustments to the home environment. Safety in the bathroom is especially important, as getting in and out of a regular tub can be difficult. Luckily, there are many affordable adjustments and products that can help with bathroom safety, including fold-up bath seats and hand-held showers, bathtub conversions to reduce height, and grab bars for added stability.
Community Support
You are not alone – we are here to help. The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba is your first link to a community of support and resources for those living with dementia and their families. On our website, you’ll find easy access to knowledge, services, programs and information for every phase of your journey. Take the first step and reach out today – we have staff ready to provide a listening ear. We can help you navigate your dementia diagnosis. Discover more at Alzheimer.mb.ca or call us at 204-943-6622 or 1-800-378-6699.
