Hearing loss may be a risk factor for a huge public health problem: Falls. A study led by Frank Lin, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that people with a 25-decibel hearing loss, classified as mild, were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling. Every additional 10-decibels of hearing loss increased the chances of falling by 1.4 fold. If you or a family member are concerned about hearing loss, visit NexGenHearing.com to take a free online hearing test.
Community News
Gambling to Relieve Stress?
Covid-19’s second wave crashed hard onto our shores. Although public health orders restricted our holiday festivities, our credit card bills may be starting to pile up. During these times, online gambling can become attractive to people seeking to relieve stress or to alleviate financial burdens. This could potentially place us in a position to gamble beyond our means, especially when left to our own devices and seeking comfort. If you or someone you love is struggling with a gambling issue, please call 1-888-795-6111. Or go to https://bit.ly/3nxYiFV to directly send a message. A Gambling Outreach Support worker will contact you within 24 hours.
Retirement Haven
Today’s active seniors are looking to get the most out of their retirement. When weighing the options for senior living, consider how much the senior living industry has grown in the last five years. Independent living has become a retirement haven for seniors who want flexibility and peace of mind. It is designed for the independent senior with an active lifestyle who wants to simplify their worries of home maintenance, commuting, safety, social isolation, and health. Senior living in an independent living community is designed to streamline your life to give you the time to do the things you want to do.
Fear of Falls Causes Unsafe Behaviour
Someone who is fearful of falls, may start to avoid everyday activities by staying home and doing less. This lack of activity leads to the loss of strength, reduced muscle tone, and loss of coordination and balance. This deterioration of your physical being increases the risk of falling and, when a fall does occur, the fear is further heightened. Turn your fear of falling into positive actions: remain active, exercise regularly, use assistive devices such as walkers or grab bars, wear sensible shoes and consider participating in a group session with others who are anxious about falling
How to Improve Your Memory
Internal strategies are things we ‘do inside our brain’ to remember things. This includes paying attention by focusing on what is being said and reducing any background distractions. Another method is organizing information in small chunks of five or six ‘bits’ of information together. Making visual pictures is an effective strategy to remember things. ‘A picture is worth 1,000 words.’ We remember pictures and images better than words. Thinking of a picture activates the right hemisphere of the brain; just thinking of a word uses mainly your left brain.
Community Profile: Gardens at Qualicum Beach
The Gardens at Qualicum Beach offers boutique retirement living in the picturesque beauty of Qualicum Beach in the heart of town with shopping, golfing, dining and beaches nearby. Unlimited access to scheduled life enrichment programs in recreation, leisure, social arts, entertainment and fitness allows you to participate in as much as you want or to take quiet time for yourself. Their resident-focused philosophy and personalized care and support, provides a loving, caring environment that help you feel at home. With three levels of care to choose from including Independent Living, Assisted Living and Residential Care, they can help you live a life of choice.
Holidays After a Loved One has Passed
The first holiday season after losing a loved one can be a very difficult time. It is important to acknowledge that things are going to be different and the holidays will never be the same as they once were. But they needn’t be endured alone. Hold your memories of loved ones close and connect with other people during these cold winter days. There will be opportunities to make the holidays meaningful; be open to the change and accept it for what it is – a new opportunity to create stronger family bonds and traditions.
Online Gambling Support
When the weather grows cooler, rainier, and drearier, we tend to retreat into our homes and apartments. The coronavirus seems to be gaining ground as we have now been hit with the second wave of Covid-19. As Christmas, Hanukkah and other seasonal holidays grow closer, online gambling becomes an attractive companion for the internet-savvy. When people gamble out of boredom, loneliness, or the desire to make money, the risks of gambling beyond their financial or temporal boundaries increase. If you or someone you love is struggling, please go to https://bit.ly/3nxYiFV directly. A Gambling Outreach Support worker will contact you within 24 hours.
Choosing a Mental Health Practitioner
Mental health practitioners in BC range in knowledge, expertise and experience. When seeking assistance, this range of ability can make it difficult to understand a practitioner’s level of competence. This is why regulation of this profession is so important. To better protect the public, a proposal has been put forward to BC government to form a regulatory body of Counselling Therapists. This is similar to how other provinces have done it. Meanwhile, when looking for assistance, it is important to research the mental health professionals. Discuss their level of education, experience, certifications/registrations and to what associations and/or colleges they belong.
Winter Falls
‘Tis the season for freezing temperatures and slippery conditions that can lead to falls, falls that can result in serious injuries. In addition to obvious hazardous environmental conditions, the winter months bring with them unique characteristics and combinations of conditions that contribute to a higher risk of falling. Hypothermia, vitamin D deficiencies, and bringing winter risks indoors is among them. Work to help prevent winter falls by wearing foot wear that provides a good grip, dressing warmly – try layering your clothes, talk to your doctor about vitamin D supplements, and clean up any puddles from any weather you’ve tracked inside your home.
Gift Ideas for Someone Special
Give the gift of wellbeing to your loved ones this Christmas. *Unique diffusers for rooms and the car with essential oils humidify and purify the air you breathe. Depending on the essential oils used, can provide a variety of health benefits including detoxification, respiratory, calming/sleep, and mood-boosting. *Local Raw Honey and Beeswax Candles that are non-toxic to burn *Himalayan Salt Lamps in various shapes and sizes * Clean Incense, Chocolates, Body lotions and so much more!! Come in and find that certain something special. We are always happy to help. Have a safe and happy winter season.
