Falls are a real concern for older adults. The good news is that most falls are preventable. Seniors can lower their risks by changing risky behaviour, proactively managing their health, and safety proofing their homes. Talk to your primary care provider about a fall-risk evaluation. Ask yourself, if I were to fall tonight, how would I get help if I couldn’t reach the phone? A medical alert service ensures that you can access help 24/7 at the push of a button. Some services also offer automatic fall detection. It’s never too early to protect yourself before a fall. Take these precautions today to live more independently and confidently.
Community News
Time to Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet?
Here are a few tip to clean up your Medicine Cabinet and other places where medication and vitamins are stored: *Gather all medications in one place. *Check the expiry date of each item. *Set aside any medications that you no longer take or has expired. *Set aside any medication that is not in its original container or whose appearance, consistency or odour has changed. Take all discarded mediations and vitamins to your pharmacist for safe and ecological disposal. Do not throw them into the waste basket, sink or toilet. The Medicine Shoppe can help with the cleanup process and disposal.
Enjoy LIfe to the Fullest
Good hearing means being able to enjoy every moment in life. When you start experiencing hearing problems, you quickly feel you cannot enjoy all the things you care about. A hearing professional will work with you to get you back to better hearing. They can give you back the ability to enjoy your life to the fullest. Quality hearing professional are there every step of the way to identify the best solution for you. Look for a hearing centre that offers an extensive, complimentary hearing test, free follow-ups, and a wide range of innovative and discreet products. We can help.
Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist?
Dental offices follow very strict guidelines set by the BC Centre of Disease Control as well as the College of Dental Surgeons of BC. The flow within the office will be highly regulated and there will be more forms and questionnaires to answer. Staff will be wearing a greater amount of PPE and barrier equipment to ensure the patient’s safety. Most offices are also adding air filtration and viral killing UVC light technology. This is part of the layering strategies that makes dental offices safer than a public space. Dental offices can see less patients in a day so there may be minor delays getting an appointment.
We Are Here For You
The BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program continues to provide free services to citizens of British Columbia through this period. We are working to provide virtual options (telephone and videoconferencing) for the delivery of our services, including counselling and outreach support. For more information, please contact the Gambling Support Line at 1.888.795.6111 or email [email protected]. If you need to renew your VSE agreement, please contact BCLC’s Customer Support Centre at 1-866-815-0222. A BCLC Investigator will set new ‘temporary’ agreement renewal and contact you when venues are set to open to obtain your documentation.
Effects of Social Isolation
Several studies have shown social isolation can negatively affect your health. This National Institute on Aging primer notes that loneliness can lead to high blood pressure, depression, and put you at greater risk of illness. That could mean more doctor’s visits and higher health care costs. And what if you or your loved one takes a fall with no one around? Beyond the physical pain, the financial implications could be high. And then there’s the emotional toll of social isolation, which can be even more devastating. These are all things to consider when deciding whether you or your loved one spend the next chapter of life at home or in a senior living community.
Socks for Fathers’ Day
Why not give you the man in your life a gift of wellness for Fathers’ Day. Socks may not be on his wish list but VoxxLife socks are not just any sock. They have with wearable technology that works with the brain to reduce pain, increase strength and endurance and enhance stability and balance. Knee high socks with mild compression are great when standing for a long time or excess sitting. For the active walkers or runners, chose moisture wicking socks to keep the feet cool in summer. Socks are available for contactless pick-up or delivery in Central Vancouver Island or order directly from the website.
Support for Your Health
The general lockdown has had some good outcomes but also many traumatising ones. Today more than ever, we need to support our Physical, Emotional and Energetic health. Our multidisciplinary medical-therapeutic team at Naturally Healthy Clinic is now back to work. We offer both in-person and distance treatments and consultations. Most services are covered by benefits. Our Wellness team is diligent about upholding the highest standards and ready to support you on all three aspects of your health. Please check our website regularly for our events, specials, workshops and classroom and online courses. We are passionate about your Health and Happiness!
Wellness Information in Your Community
At Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living®, we continue to provide health and wellness information to our communities. In addition to our printed newsletters, Wellnessnews.ca has hundreds of searchable health articles written by local experts. Our Meetup group is FREE to join and offers workshops on a variety of health topics. Check it out at Meetup.com/Wellnessnews. Teresa Ostman hosts “Wellness Wednesday” @ 1 PM on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month on CHLY 101.7 FM radio or stream at CHLY.ca. Watch for our new online Wellness Resource Hub that will launch in the near future.
Conditions Affected by Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is connected to many other health conditions of the body. While hearing loss may not be the cause of these diseases or conditions, it is considered a risk factor for many. *Tinnitus refers to the sensation of perceiving sounds that have no external source—in other words, hearing sounds that are not there. *Meniere’s disease is a chronic inner ear disorder that causes recurring episodes of severe dizziness (vertigo), ear pressure, tinnitus and hearing loss. It typically affects only one ear, although some people experience symptoms in both ears. *Treating hearing loss aggressively can help ward off cognitive decline and dementia.
We Can Help You
We know these are challenging times for you and your loved ones and we are here to help. We provide uplifting in-home care that provides connection, purpose and hope while protecting you, our caregivers and the community. Stay at home orders in BC are changing, but it is still important for seniors and high risk populations to remain at home and limit contact with others. As a standard practice, all our caregivers are trained in infection control, and can help keep surfaces clean and disinfected, complete grocery shopping and errands, and provide companionship during these times when our clients need it most.
