Chronic stress is harmful to people of all ages, but its impact on older adults can be particularly severe, increasing the risk of age-related diseases, hastening cognitive decline and even triggering falls. Stressors that are common amongst the elderly include: loss of control, personal loss, declining health, financial worries, personal safety and loss of independence. To reduce stress, get regular exercise, eat balanced meals to ensure the mind and body are properly fueled and ask for help. Talking with a trusted family member, friend or healthcare professional, at the very least, releases pent-up stress and may even lead to a solution.

As many may agree, wealth is about having money and possessions (our net worth). However, you may have also heard that ‘money cannot buy happiness’. By shifting the concept of wealth to “Wellth”, we shift the priority from finding the tangible/objective (wealth) to the internally realized/subjective (wellth), which leads to greater wellness and health for individual and for our community. By emphasizing “Real” we highlight that it is in the here-and-now, not focused on the future or past. Building wellness and health today is what really makes us wealthy, which supports our idea of “Real Wellth” and why it needs to be a priority.

As we get older, health conditions, mobility limitations or lack of energy can keep us from being as socially active as we once were. A diminishing social life might happen gradually as close friends experience the same conditions and family members grow busy. We may not notice how long it has been since we last spent time with a friend! Isolation has many physical and emotional health risks. Especially if you live by yourself, staying socially active is critical to enjoying a healthy lifestyle. Volunteer at a local organization, join a senior living community or find a group that focuses on similar interests.

Our brain is the most amazing part of our body. It comes up with creative ways to express our thoughts and emotions, coordinates movements, stores our most precious childhood memories, and solves the Sunday crossword. But it’s easy to take these powers for granted. As we age, our brain needs more activity to keep it young. Learning to play a game or music increases brain stimulation. In-depth reading stimulates the brain to think, focus and analyze. Research studies indicate reading just 30 minutes a day boosts memory because it uses many parts of the brain. It is believed reading fiction enhances brain connectivity and function.

Tiny silver batteries are the unsung heroes behind hearing aids, but as technology advances, they are set to become a thing of the past. Rechargeable hearing aid technology is changing the game as they are convenient, easy to use and environmentally friendly. Popular among consumers for their comfort, versatility and ease of use, hearing aids are simply placed into their own recharging unit at bedtime. Visit one of our hearing clinics and talk with a qualified hearing healthcare professional about rechargeable hearing aids to see if they are right for you.

Many people believe that dentures last forever but the reality
is that they need to be serviced regularly and replaced about
every five years. Wearing the same dentures for more than five
years without having them checked can result in; softening of
the gums, painful and irritated gums, accelerated bone loss,
more laborious chewing and difficult digestion and a crumpled
mouth. It can also lead to headaches, ear aches, neck pain and
joint problems as well as a whole host of other issues. Regular
consultation with your denturist to have your dentures checked
and cleaned may prevent problems in the future.

Building on the concept of “Real Wellth”, the common themes that emerge as we look at what “health” means in today’s society explain how health is complex, multifaceted, a function of both individual and community/society. Health is more than a lack of disease, both a process and a resource, and health can be gained and/or lost. Understanding what “health” means and then proactively focusing on building both personal and community health perpetuates more health for everyone. Pay attention to your health, engage in healthy living, and make it a priority!