Ingredients:
4 large eggs, free range
1 medium avocado
2 tbsp real mayonnaise
1 tbsp each fresh dill and chives, finely chopped
Juice of ½ lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Dash smoked paprika
Romaine lettuce leaves, for serving
Preparation:
1. Hard boil eggs with your preferred cooking method, then cool, peel, and chop cooked eggs.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, mash pitted avocado with mayonnaise, herbs, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Add chopped eggs to avocado mixture and toss to combine. Serve egg salad immediately, wrapped in lettuce leaves, or chill and then serve the same day.
Community News
When a Senior Loved One Has a Gambling Problem
Gambling is a huge industry in Canada. Casino gambling is more popular than ever.
Seniors enjoy bingo, racetrack betting—and especially, casino gambling. Retirement-aged consumers are an especially desirable demographic for the gaming industry because they fill the floors during off-peak hours. Casinos market to them aggressively, offering discounted meals, ‘Golden Oldies’ entertainment shows, and complimentary shuttle service.
For many seniors, gambling is harmless entertainment. They hop on the casino shuttle, socialize with others and casino staff, bet a few dollars and take advantage of senior discounts on meals, drinks and perhaps a show. They’ve set aside part of their entertainment budget for gambling, and they stop when they reach their limit. However, some older adults develop a gambling problem that seriously impacts their financial well-being.
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling—also referred to as gambling addiction, pathological gambling or a gambling disorder—happens when a person becomes obsessed with gambling and has an uncontrollable urge to keep gambling. According to the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, “For the problem gambler, making a bet is not just about having fun or winning money. Gambling becomes an emotional response to change the way they feel.” In addition, warns the NCPG, a person might have a gambling problem if they are:
- Bragging about gambling, exaggerating wins and minimizing losses
- Restless and irritable when not gambling
- Gambling in hopes of winning back what they have lost
- Borrowing money for gambling
- Lying to hide time spent gambling or unpaid debts
- Doing something illegal to get money for gambling
- Jeopardizing a significant relationship or job by gambling
Why are seniors at higher risk?
The NCPG explains that boredom, isolation, depression and cognitive impairment affect judgment and make it harder for senior gamblers to stick to their limit. Seniors on a fixed income—who can little afford to gamble away their money—might hope that they will strike it rich and improve their financial situation. In addition to the signs above, family may notice that their loved one has withdrawn from the activities they used to enjoy. Possessions may have disappeared from their loved one’s home, and their loved one is vague about what happened. A senior may be neglecting their personal needs—food, medical care, or exercise. And here’s a sign experts often cite as a red flag: Seniors with a gambling addiction show little interest in the buffet, entertainment or social aspects of a casino trip, instead heading straight for their “lucky machine” and settling in.
What can family do?
The first step is to review the warning signs of problem gambling to get a better picture of whether your loved one has a problem. You can’t step in merely because you don’t approve of gambling, or you think Mom should spend her entertainment money somewhere else.
The next step is to determine whether there are medical reasons behind the problem. Gerontologists say problem gambling might be a sign that a senior is dealing with early Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive impairment that impairs judgment and impulse control. The side effects of some medications also can make a senior more susceptible to compulsive gambling. For example, certain drugs prescribed to control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease have been linked to impulse control—including pathological gambling. Urge your loved one to be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out or diagnose these problems.
Having a conversation about problem gambling can be very difficult. Your loved one may resist talking about it and may insist that there isn’t a problem. Assure them that you have their best interests in mind, and that you want to help, not judge. Encourage your loved one to talk to a professional. Treatment is available for gambling addiction and includes support groups, psychotherapy and sometimes medication. Consider bringing in a geriatric care manager (also called an aging life care specialist) to mediate the conversation and to help you locate treatment resources. Talk to your loved one’s financial manager, or consult an elder law attorney. Sometimes, if a senior is no longer able to manage their money, families must take a larger role. (Read “Stepping In, Stepping Up: Legal Issues for Family Caregivers” in the August 2016 issue of the Caring Right at Home newsletter to learn more. A poll in that issue found that many Caring Right at Home readers have held a durable power of attorney or guardianship for a senior loved one at some point.)
Not every gambling habit rises to the level of addiction. A senior who goes to the casino several times a week to stave off boredom and loneliness might find even more mental stimulation and companionship through a senior recreation program, volunteer service, events at their faith community, or taking a class. Help your loved one locate appropriate activities in the area. If your loved one has become isolated due to mobility challenges, consider hiring home care to provide companionship and transportation. Even computer games can be a substitute for folks who enjoy relaxing with a machine—and as a bonus, these games offer far more mental stimulation and brain exercise than a slot machine.
Product Review: Clean9
Clean9 is like a tune-up for your body. Everyone routinely takes their car in for service, but when was the last time that you did the same for your body? The Clean9 Program will help you to look and feel better by eliminating stored toxins from your body, allowing you to feel lighter and more energized as you take control of your appetite and see your body begin to change. This proven cleansing system will put you in the best position to attain optimal health, cleanse your body, and build a slimmer, leaner you.
Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental health is an issue that impacts every workplace in Canada. The workplace can contribute positively or negatively to a person’s mental health. Employers and employees both benefit from a psychologically healthy workplace, as it can contribute to better employee engagement and morale, reduced absenteeism, and increased employee recruitment and retention. Some simple ways to create a psychologically healthy workplace include: 1. Promote work-life balance. 2. Have conflict resolution practices in place. 3. Help employees successfully manage workloads. 4. Encourage and model respectful behaviours. 5. Allow for employee participation and decision-making. 6. Clearly define role expectations and duties.
New Year, New Love
Is one of your New Years’ Resolutions to find a loving, meaningful relationship? In a world with more than 7.28 billion people, finding love should be an easy task. As humans, we tend to complicate things, especially when our emotions are imprinted by our relationship history. If the methods you have used in the past to find love have not worked for you, then it is time to change things up. It’s a new year, why not try something different? A professional matchmaker handpicks potential partners who are screened and presented to you one by one. Their intentions have been determined and many of the important compatibility factors have already been established.
Purify Your Home
Here in Canada, due to our colder climate, we tend to seal our homes and buildings with deadly precision. We use the term “deadly” because there is a possibility of over 1500 invisible and potentially toxic substances contaminating your air space right now, Isn’t it time you took control over what you’re breathing? With active purification technologies such as ionization, UV light and Activated Oxygen; we can now effectively remove smoke, odours, allergens, bacteria and viruses! Purifiers such as the pureAir 500C are effective solutions that have a whisper quiet fan when running.
Product Review: Women’s Sage Blend
Are you menopausal and experiencing hot flashes, hormone unbalance, mood unbalance, irritation, and low energy? Beneficial for unwanted menopausal symptoms, the Women’s Sage Blend contains the essential oils of clary sage, lemon, geranium, cypress, peppermint and chamomile. Add 4-5 drops of Women’s Sage blend to your diffuser at night or 4 drops to 1oz of coconut oil and massage on your neck, chest and feet both morning and night. During the day, apply 1 drop to your Aromatherapy Necklace or Lava Bead Bracelet. Essential oils are one way to manage symptoms and as a bonus: you’ll smell great!
Learn to Master Self-Compassion
’Tis the season for New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not try something a bit different? Commit yourself to the cultivation of self-compassion. Research demonstrates a strong link between self-compassion, health, and wellness. Indeed, many experts believe it to be fundamental to good mental health. Cultivate self-compassion through a positive daily mantra. Write a kind letter to yourself at the end of each week, by taking the perspective of a loving friend. Once you’ve mastered self-compassion, turn your attention to others. Showing compassion for others is a surefire way to create happiness in your life.
Getting Motivated to Exercise!
Motivation to get up off that couch can be challenging at times, especially when we are exhausted from life’s everyday challenges. Try finding some extrinsic motivators to help you get out the door to the gym or for a walk, such as treating yourself to a massage or getting your nails done once you’ve stuck with it for x number of sessions. Perhaps a contest to give you a jumpstart or grabbing a buddy for some accountability? Extrinsic motivators like those can be great until it becomes a habit and therefore an “intrinsic” motivator in and of itself.
Make Social Interaction a Priority
Maintaining relationships and spending time with others is essential to our emotional and mental well-being. It can help prevent depression, which affects 20% of the population over 70 years of age. Plan regular get-togethers with friends, such as a weekly lunch date or coffee with another senior or loved one. Scheduling social interactions gives us something to look forward to on a regular basis. For those who are truly adventurous, you can enjoy new experiences and meet new people by signing up for travel tours, book clubs, and much more at your local community centre.
Healthy Resolutions For The Whole Family
January is about new resolutions! It is important to help our little ones with resolutions too and be a role model. As we go to the gym, we should look to see what gyms and fitness centers are available for our young ones. Some places start classes as young as six months! You can never be too young to begin a healthy lifestyle. When we get our children active early in life, it becomes part of a routine. Having a healthy lifestyle for our children by attending regular classes makes it easy for children to keep active as they become older. So keep our children healthy and active and see what is available for babies to adolescence in the new year!
