There are a variety of products that help you stay mobile and safe in your home. Some of these include: STAIRLIFTS – choose from a variety of stairlifts to suit any type of stairway – straight, curved, split-level, or intermediate landing; fast in-home or virtual consultations available. POWER LIFT RECLINERS – available in a wide range of styles, colours and materials, they help the user lower into and raise from a seated position with ease. GO-GO SCOOTER® & GO CHAIR® – exceptional portability and provide a whole new level of comfort and performance with feather-touch disassembly. Visit us at MOTION™ Nanaimo to find out more.
Community News
Stay Safe This Summer
The weather is getting hot and it’s not likely to get cool again anytime soon. Make sure to drink plenty of water; it’s very easy to get dehydrated which can cause fatigue, dizziness and the potential to fall. Wear sunscreen; a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 50 is recommended and it should be re-applied every two hours while outdoors. With the heat comes smoke from wildfires; on days when you smell or see smoke, be sure to stay inside as much as possible. If you must venture outside, consider wearing a face mask. Stay cool!
Senior Summer Safety Tips
Skin cancer is one of the most common and preventable forms of cancer. Apply SPF of at least 30 to 50—every two to four hours you are outdoors or riding in a car. Routinely wearing a quality pair of sunglasses protects the eyes from cataracts, a condition common among older adults. Look for a pair with a label showing they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. As we grow older, the body doesn’t adjust to changes in temperature and humidity as quickly as in younger days. This puts seniors at higher risk for dehydration and sun-related illnesses, like heat stroke – so make sure to keep hydrated!
Words to Live By
“When meditating over a disease, I never think of finding a remedy for it, but, instead, a means of preventing it.” Louis Pasteur
Words to Live By
“There are no limits to what lies ahead of you. You will accomplish great things when you believe in the unlimited potential that exists within you.” Keith Macpherson
Sports Betting Lingo Confusion
Straight bet? Parlay? Futures? Propositions (prop bets)? Teaser? What do all these terms mean? Puck line? Money line? Run line? What’s going on? Sports betting seems to have taken on a life of its own. If you are confused, overwhelmed or seeking clarity, please reach out to VI Gaming Support. Not only are we here to support people who are negatively impacted by problematic gambling behaviour, we also offer workshops, seminars, and webinars to raise awareness about gambling in its many forms, whether it is online or in person. Contact us today to find out more.
Join the WellnessHub Today
Are you a health care practitioner? Do you have a health and wellness business? If so, you want to get a listing on the WellnessHub – Basic listings are FREE. The WellnessHub is Vancouver Island’s local online health and wellness resource. It features practitioners, businesses, health tips, a monthly contest and much more. Monthly memberships are available for people who want extra exposure. The WellnessHub is supported in print, social media, radio and more. We work with you to get your message out to your potential customers. The Hub attracts thousands of local visitors every month.
Can Your Body Relax?
Can you sit by yourself and just be? Calm your mind, meditate? Go for a leisurely walk? If the answer is “Not without difficulty”, your body could be stuck in “fight or flight”. The Autonomic Nervous System controls involuntary processes in the body including heart rate, blood pressure and digestion. It can get dysregulated with the sympathetic nervous system staying on, often times as a result of chronic stress. Sound is gaining popularity as a gentle, natural and effective way to help our bodies truly relax. Try high-quality meditative music, a sound bath or the Harmonic Egg!
Treating Heat-Related Health Problems
Summer is here and so is the heat! While many people enjoy the hot weather, it’s important to be proactive and safe when the temperature starts to rise. Some common heat-related issues include 1) Dehydration – weakness, headache and fainting. Drink more water and electrolytes. 2) Heat stroke – body temp. of 40°C or higher, fast pulse, hot and dry skin. Cool down with shade/AC and water and get medical attention. 3) Heat exhaustion – heavy sweating, weakness, nausea. Cool down with shade/AC and drink plenty of fluids. 4) Heat syncope – fainting caused by high temperatures. Lie down with your feet up and drink plenty of water.
Prevent Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Hearing is a vital sense that allows us to connect with the world around us. However, it’s easy to take it for granted. According to a report by the World Health Organization, hearing loss is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue worldwide, affecting an estimated 1.5 billion people.
There are many factors that can contribute to hearing loss. One of the leading causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noises. Loud noises are encountered everywhere in your daily routine, from the sounds of busy traffic, construction sites, concerts, listening to music and even the TV.
The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable!
Here are some steps you can take to protect your hearing from loud noises:
Wear earplugs or earmuffs:
Sounds are considered harmful when they exceed 85 dB, which is similar to the loudness of heavy traffic.
Exposure to loud noises can damage the sensory hair cells in the cochlea. The cochlea is a shell-like organ in the inner ear where sounds are converted into electrical signals. This damage can lead to both hearing loss and the development of tinnitus, which is characterized by a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears. Wearing earplugs or earmuffs can be a simple yet effective way to protect your ears.
However, it’s important to choose the right type of earplugs or earmuffs for your needs. Make sure they are comfortable to wear, fit well, and provide adequate noise reduction. If you’re not sure which type to choose, consult a hearing healthcare professional or audiologist who can recommend the best option for you.
Turn down the volume:
It’s also important to be mindful of our listening habits. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.1 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to loud music or noise through headphones or earphones.
If you’re someone who enjoys listening to music or podcasts through headphones, try to keep the volume at a reasonable level. As a general rule of thumb, if someone can hear the music coming from your headphones while standing beside you, the volume is too high! A good way to ensure that your volume is at a safe level is to use the 60/60 rule. This rule recommends listening to music at no more than 60% volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. Afterward, give your ears a break for at least 5-10 minutes to recover.
Take breaks:
If you’re exposed to loud noises for extended periods, take breaks in quieter environments to give your ears time to recover. Taking just a five-minute break every hour can significantly reduce the risk of hearing damage from loud noise exposure. So, if you’re in a loud environment for a prolonged period, try to take short breaks regularly to give your ears a chance to recover.
While hearing loss prevention is important, it’s also essential to get regular hearing tests. Many people don’t realize that hearing tests are just as important as regular physical exams or dental checkups.
Hearing tests are essential because they can detect hearing loss early on, which is crucial for effective treatment. The earlier hearing loss is detected, the better the chances are for successful treatment.
It’s worth noting that hearing loss can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Untreated hearing loss can lead to a decline in cognitive function, making it more challenging to perform daily tasks and affecting memory, attention, and decision-making skills.
Research conducted by the National Library of Medicine has demonstrated that individuals who take action to address their hearing loss at an early stage are more likely to experience positive outcomes, such as enhanced communication abilities, improved quality of life, and a lower risk of cognitive decline.
Your ears are essential to your quality of life, and we want to help you LoveYourEars by taking care of them properly.
Book a free hearing test and take the first step towards better hearing today!
Sources: World Health Organization (WHO)
Senior Health Precautions
We’ve all been inundated with reminders to get vaccinated for COVID-19 over the past few years, but don’t forget your other vaccinations! All seniors are strongly encouraged to keep up with their seasonal influenza vaccinations. It is also important to get a Tdap vaccine to protect against Whooping Cough (if you did not receive one as a child). Finally, vaccinations against shingles and pneumococcal conjugate (pneumonia) are recommended for those over 65 years of age. Always talk to your healthcare provider before getting vaccinated to ensure the right course of action for your individual health needs.
