Caregiving is an exhausting and often round-the-clock role that many of us will take on in our lifetime. How do we thrive while providing holistic supportive care to our loved ones? The answer is by caring for ourselves! The best way for both you and your loved ones to flourish is by accepting help and creating a community of support. If a friend or family member offers to give you respite, leave your guilt at the door and enjoy this time away! If you would like to have support from the experts, call Comfort Keepers today.
Community News
Words To Live By
“Do not forget what a powerful impact you have when you align with your inner truth. Trust the guidance of your inner wisdom today and act on its whispers.” Keith Macpherson
Words to Live By
“Good health is not something we can buy. However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account.” – Anne Wilson Schaef
Drink Up to Stay Hydrated
Summer is here and so is the heat! At this time of year, dehydration can become a serious health issue for anyone and especially seniors. Many seniors are chronically dehydrated so hot weather is especially dangerous. Dehydration can result in symptoms such as confusion, sluggishness, fainting or worse. It is extremely important to drink plenty of water and eat foods with a high water content such as cucumbers and watermelon. If you find water boring, add juices or cut-up fruit to your glass for a refreshing summer drink. Have fun, stay safe and drink up this summer!
Create Your Own Masterpiece
I love playing with my food so it’s a rarity that I make the exact same thing twice. If I like a recipe, I will remake it with a twist. I usually add more veggies. While playing within the guidelines of a recipe; add your favourite spice, condiment, veggie, grain or protein to make it fun. If you have allergies, learn to substitute ingredients. I like to think of cooking as making art. You can follow techniques and colour pallets that others have used but add a little creativity and you’ll have endless opportunities to make masterpieces. Learning to play with your food is the fun part.
It’s Football Season
August is the annual kick-off to football season. As one of the most wagered-on sports, with an array of betting options including parlays, prop bets, futures, teasers and straight bets, football enthusiasts can often find themselves wagering more than they intended. With fantasy pools, online wagering, mobile betting apps and more so readily available, coupled with a few drinks, many are wagering beyond their budgets. What can a person do? Set a pre-game budget. Place bets before the game, not during. Avoid in-the-moment emotional wagering. Small tips to keep it fun! Play safe!
Stay Safe in the Heat
During the warm, sunny days of summer, older adults are at an increased risk of heat-related illnesses. During extreme heat, stay indoors, stay as cool as possible and drink plenty of clear fluids. Avoid drinking alcohol and wearing tight-fitting clothing. A symptom of too much heat is swollen feet and ankles. More serious symptoms are dizziness, fainting, a change in behaviour, dry, flushed skin and a lack of perspiration. If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke, call 911 and apply cold wet cloths to the armpits, neck and groin area. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!
In-Home Care to Reduce Readmission
Readmission to the hospital after an illness or injury is a serious health issue for seniors. It is important for seniors and their loved ones to remember that in many cases, readmission is avoidable and can be prevented with a thoughtful post-hospital care plan. Consider having the following in place: *Medication assistance and management, *Discharge plan for patient and family members and *A helping hand at home. A helping hand can be family, friends or professional caregivers. For many seniors, a professional caregiver can help them overcome some of the main preventable causes of returning to the hospital.
Fall Preventation at Home
Each year, an alarming number of people over the age of 65 experience a fall. Research has shown that as many as one in four older people fall every year. Falling in their homes is a serious risk that seniors face when they are alone. Here are some tips to help prevent falls before they happen: *ensure you have adequate lighting in your home, *always take a cordless phone or cell phone with you if you are going downstairs and *try not to move around your home more than you need to after taking medication that can impair your balance.
Mental, Physical and Spiritual Oneness
Frequensea Healing Space is a new wellness center located in Nanaimo, BC. We offer a welcoming, safe space where you can come to experience the power of the Energy Enhancement System (EESystem), integrated sound healing and yoga classes, as well our cozy retail space offering crystals and wellness/meditation pieces by Moon + Mineral. Our mission is to guide you on your path of mental, physical and spiritual oneness. Our Healing Space offers rental opportunities where participants can soak up the benefits of the EESystem during workshops, seminars or healing circles in the energy room.
Your Personal Pharmacist
Do you have a personal pharmacist on your wellness team? A personal pharmacist pays close attention to your needs and provides personalized care. Whether it’s managing your diabetes, heart health or another chronic condition, they are invested in your health. Your personal pharmacist can help to make sure your medication is the right fit and introduce you to tools that make day-to-day medication management easier. With the expanded role of pharmacists, they can assess and prescribe medication for certain minor conditions that do not require a doctor’s visit. When you have a minor condition, visit your pharmacist for a free assessment.
