People are afraid of the unknown. If an older adult is losing control over their physical abilities, independence, or cognitive abilities, their world gets filled with more and more unknowns. Establishing routine is extremely important for seniors. A daily routine offers a level of stability that individuals often enjoy, as it allows them to settle into a schedule they understand. Doing the same basic activities like eating, dressing, and bathing at the same time every day is known to improve sleep quality. A predictable routine also helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
Community News
A Balanced Outlook on Life
Many circumstances in life are beyond our control. Experts claim that our stresses most often have to do with how we interact with ourselves, our world, and others. Many people even take medications to help them cope with problematic situations. Luckily there is a drug free and effective treatment. It is called cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). CBT explores and addresses what lies beneath the surface and equips you with skills to take control of what you have control over – your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Being in control helps you manage life’s challenging situations in ways that are realistic, balanced and healthy for mind and body.
With Grace and Ease
Welcome each day with grace and ease. Grace is the state we are in when we are doing nothing, just being who we are at our best. Not pushing or making it happen, instead allowing and in that which is ready to be received. Who we encounter and what we experience throughout the day is not always in our control, but how we approach and take it in is our choice. When we meet life with frustration and resentment, the energies boomerang back and a viscous circle incurs as the energies get trapped. When we raise our own internal vibration, shifting to meet that of grace and ease, it gives us hope, connects us to our humanity and makes us more generous and loving beings. Allowing life to run smoother, welcoming in small gifts of connection along the way.
Tendon Injuries?
Tendinopathies are one of the most common injuries individuals seek treatment for (i.e. tennis elbow, achilles tendinopathy). They can be debilitating and ongoing as they tend not to improve with time and rest. Research is mixed on the best treatment for tendinopathies, however, one trend emerging is the that rehab programs should be focused on improving the capacity of the muscle and tendon to manage load. This means, in addition to hands-on therapy, a progressive tendon loading exercise program is key to full recovery. Physiotherapy can help break the negative cycle of these overuse injuries and prevent recurrence.
Suffering From Peripheral Arterial Disease?
PAD or Peripheral Arterial Disease is the narrowing of the arteries in the legs. The narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) can limit blood flow and eventually block blood to the legs. If blood flow to legs is limited or blocked it can cause pain with walking or eventually at rest, skin discoloration, loss of hair growth, numbness, and even amputation of a toe or lower limb. Individuals with the following would be at greater risk of PAD: ≥ 65 years of age, Diabetes, Smokers, High Blood Pressure, History of heart disease and/or stroke.
Senior Moving Tips
You’ve decided that you are going to move to a smaller space. Start by making decisions about things that will be moved to your new home, including the essentials and the sentimental or special things that bring joy to your home. Dependent upon space, maintaining, at least in part, the sentimental pieces is the key to this puzzle. The process of downsizing is not to rob people of loved items, rather, to honour those items in a way that matches the physical space you have. Packing, moving, unpacking, and setting up the new home are the remaining Phase 1 steps. Stay tuned to next month’s article for Phase 2!
World Alzheimer’s Month
Worldwide, an astounding 50 million are diagnosed with dementia and over 23,000 of them live in Manitoba. Having a globally coordinated World Alzheimer’s Month sends a strong message to governments and policy makers, alerting them to the fact that dementia is a serious health issue that will have overwhelming implications on services and health systems around the world as the population grows older. We’ll be wearing blue on World Alzheimer’s Day, September 21st to show our support. Will you? Make sure to post your photos to social media, tag us and use the hashtag #goblueforalz.
Mindful Eating
To be a smart eater, you need to take a more considered approach to what is on your plate. Some health advisors suggest Mindful Eating. This involves eating slowly without distraction and learning how to distinguish between actual hunger and non-hunger triggers. Since it takes roughly 20 minutes for the brain to get the message from your stomach that you are full, eating quickly means there is more chance of unnecessary food being consumed. Mindful eating is based on appreciating your food and understanding the link between how you consume it and how it contributes to your well-being.
Releasing What No Longer Serves You
Having the courage to let go of what is no longer needed or serves you in your life helps make the space for something new to emerge, even if you can not see it yet. Our expectations, worries and fears of what’s to come keep us bound from fully living in the present moment and enjoying the process, appreciating what we do have. Our world as we know it is changing at a rapid pace. Important to declutter and let go from the inside out so we can find an inner freedom, lighten the load and bring our best versions of ourselves to make our world a more loving place to be.
The Little Things That Matter
Often in life, the most meaningful moments are the moments spent with those who teach you something, with those who share laughs with you, and with those who support you no matter what. And within those moments, it’s the little things that become the most significant and valuable. Professional caregivers can be there for you, when you need a little extra hand around the house or someone to accompany you on your outings. Caregivers can help with the day-to-day tasks, so you have time to enjoy the little things in life, while remaining safe and independent in your own home.
A Good Night’s Sleep – Naturally!
A good night’s sleep does not come from a bottle because sleeping pills are not able to create natural, good quality, deep and refreshing sleep.
You may have already tried various strategies to manage sleeping problems or taking one or more medications to help you fall asleep or stay asleep. Interestingly, people who take sleeping pills are very often dissatisfied with their sleep despite taking one or more sleeping pills. On top of that, sleeping pills have longterm consequences. If you want deep, refreshing sleep, take a fresh approach. The research and medical community rank Cognitive behaviour therapy for sleep, which involves no remedies, the most effective and safest strategy. Happy zzzz!
