“Tea and toast syndrome” refers to malnutrition in seniors when a lack of desire or inability to prepare and/or eat proper meals results in them relying on simpler meals like tea and toast. Seniors who skip meals almost daily, have gained/lost more than 10 pounds in the past six months, take medications, have dental issues, or have a disability can be at risk for malnutrition. Some common signs to watch for include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, memory issues, digestive issues, a weak immune system, muscle weakness, and anemia. There are support services available to help seniors eat well and regularly!
Community News
Bringing Health and Wellness Information to You
What were you doing four years ago? Wellnessnews Central Vancouver Island published its first newsletter in March 2017. This issue is the start of our 5th year of bringing health and wellness information to our communities. Like for so many other businesses, the past year has been a challenge. We met the challenge by continuing to print and finding new ways of distributing the printed newsletter and by going online. The WellnessHUB brings not only all the newsletters to you; it brings you an expanded wealth of local health and wellness information from experts in your community.
Drug Free Pain Relief
Did you know that lack of stability and balance account for a large portion of foot and back pain issues? Today, wellness consumers want products to enhance their quality of life and are asking for natural, safe solutions for more energy, pain relief and enhanced mobility. VoxxLife socks and insoles with HPT optimize the user’s stability and balance at the nervous system level and provide relief from aches and pains with drug free proven technology. Voxx Human Performance Technology (HPT) is based on 45 Years of research in Neuromuscular Science, Chiropractic Neurology and Reflexology.
Spring into Spring!
Steer yourself from the winter doldrums to warmer days and healthier, happier selves! *Get up with the sun and create a morning routine with meditation, stretches and exercise. *Increase your fruit and veggies intake; eat fruit in the morning and add more green vegetables at dinner. *Get a good pair of runners and do what you enjoy, just get outside and move! *For longevity, stress, weight management, mental health and overall wellbeing, establish a bedtime routine; shut off screens, wind-down, and get 7-8 hours of Zzzs. Stock up on your daily or specialty wellness supplements to help you achieve your health goals and keep you feeling your best!
Make Your Home Safer
Things you can do to make your home safer and reduce the risk of falling:
Remove tripping hazards like clutter, small throw rugs • Keep items you use the most easily accessible • Improve lighting to ensure you can see your path when walking, especially at night • Install grab bars in the bathroom and ensure your home has handrails on all staircases • Wear non-slip shoes both inside and outside of the house • Get a Home Safety Assessment if you are at risk of falling; an Occupational Therapist can help to advise you on making your home safer.
Think Outside Your Bubble
What is the NEW NORM? Is everyone in my bubble being safe? Can we shop in our COVID-19 bubble beside other bubbles and be safe? There is so much information out there, helpful and unhelpful, that may drive ourselves headfirst into further stress and seclusion. It’s time to go outside and let your bubble breath, that’s right, take off that mask and breathe in some fresh island air this month. We may find clarity in heading back to the outdoors. Ground yourself in the outdoors and find some quiescence in your mind.
Helping Seniors Eat Healthy
Seniors need to get adequate nutrients from their meals to help them reduce the risk of serious health conditions, stabilize their mood, and maintain their mental health. Retirement communities help meet seniors’ nutrition needs by providing meals that are low in saturated fats and have moderate amounts of unsaturated fat, which promotes a stable body mass index (BMI) and metabolism. Healthy portion sizes support a healthy weight for older adults by preventing excessive calorie intake. If you or a loved one have questions about proper nutrition and eating habits for seniors, reach out to your care provider or retirement community.
Share Love with an Online Obituary
An online obituary allows a family more opportunities to share about their loved one. Photos, special moments and a life story are centralized in the guestbook and allows for digital condolences. It can also act as a permanent memorial that the family can revisit to re-read the messages left by family members and friends. Online stories can be read around the world and will be seen by loved ones near and far. When posting your message of sympathy and support, try to share something that the family may not know and appreciate learning. A funny story from your times together can bring surprising comfort.
Spend Family Time Enjoying Nature
It is well known that nature and fresh air is a tonic for the soul. Reconnecting with nature is good for our physical and mental health. Living on Vancouver Island, we are lucky to have some of the world’s best nature in our own back yard. Strathcona Provincial Park, designated in 1911, is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia. Located 25 minutes west of Courtenay and just steps away from Mount Washington Alpine Village, it is a mountain wilderness that offers an incomparable nature experience. Summer activities include hiking, zip lining, mountain biking, swimming and relaxing while soaking in the natural beauty.
Meet the Pharmacists
Neel and Rupal Tanna are the Remedy’s Rx pharmacists at Duncan Pharmacy and also in Crofton. Their personalized service includes; *Everyday 20% discount for seniors, *Free prescription delivery, *Immunizations services because even during Covid, these are important to keep you and your family healthy, *Medication Reviews to explain each of your medications in detail, *Blister packaging for easier management of medications, *Compliance packaging with instruction labels in larger print or translated into icons to make them easier to follow, *Advice on natural supplements. As Remedy’s Rx pharmacists, they believe in providing in the best possible pharmacy care.
Making Brain Injury VISIBLE
People with disabilities and illnesses want to do more than recover functioning; they want to build a life of meaning and engagement, according to Carruthers & Deyell Hood (2007). Cowichan Brain Injury Society (CBIS) uses a recreation therapist (RT) in the rehabilitation journey for individuals with concussions, brain injury, and strokes. Using an interactive digital cognitive assessment to understand the survivor’s neurofunction, the RT gains unique insights allowing for the creation of more targeted treatment plans. 85% of brain injuries are classified as mild to moderate. CBIS makes the invisible effects of brain injuries VISIBLE together. To learn more, contact us.
