Community News
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 symptoms of too much heat is swollen feet and ankles. More serious symptoms are dizziness, fainting, a change in behavior, 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 armpits, neck and groin area. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Managing Multiple Medications

If you take multiple medications, your pharmacist offers solutions that can help you manage them.*Synchronized Refill Dates – Adjusting quantities of medications to coordinate refill dates so all can be refilled at one time. *Blister packaging to arrange your medications in a weekly or monthly schedule. *Pre-Authorized Refills – Receive notifications when it is time to renew your medication. *Extension of Expired Refills – Your pharmacist may be able to renew your prescription if it expires before you can see your doctor. Consider booking a Medication Review at Medicine Shoppe Departure Bay Road in Nanaimo.

Hearing Loss in Older Adults

According to HealthLinkBC, nearly 1 out of every 4 Canadian adults report some degree of hearing loss or hearing disability. The prevalence of hearing loss rises with age. When hearing loss remains un-treated in older adults, they may experience a significant reduction in quality of life and are at risk of poorer long-term health outcomes. Adults with un-treated hearing loss may become withdrawn and socially isolated and are at an increased risk of cognitive decline.They are also at greater risk of falling which increases with the severity of the hearing loss.

Keep Your Will Updated!

Even if you know you need to update your Will, it’s easy to find yourself letting your documents collect dust on the shelf. The good news is, going through major changes in your life, such as marriage or the birth of a child, doesn’t necessarily invalidate your will. The bottom line is: If your Will isn’t up-to-date, your end-of-life wishes may not be fulfilled in the way you would have liked. Your wishes may also have changed since you wrote your will. To avoid these pitfalls and the costs associated with updating your will, contact us today to order your free Legal Will Guide.

Use Cold and Heat for Pain

Heat and cold therapy can be an effective and inexpensive way to relieve pain from a variety of conditions such as arthritis, pulled muscles, inflammation and swelling. Cold therapy is best for bruised or swollen joints and tendons; it improves nerve activity and blood flow. Use ice packs and a bag of ice cubes with a little cool water for acute injuries/pain, inflammation and swelling. Heat therapy improves blood flow, circulation and soothes muscles and joints and increases their flexibility. Use heat packs and pads for muscle pain, tension and stiffness. Take care, your body will thank you!

Visiting the Nursing Home

Now that you may visit your loved ones in the nursing home again, here are some things to keep in mind. Respect the resident’s privacy. Knock before you enter the room and step out into the hall when personal care is being provided. Be warm in your interactions and use a gentle touch. Keep the conversation positive and refrain from arguing, especially if visiting a person with dementia. Don’t bring food or beverages unless you check with the staff first. Don’t stay too long. Look for cues that your loved one may be getting tired or stressed.

The Right Amount of Sleep

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults and 7-8 hours for older adults. Individual requirements for adults may vary however, consistently sleeping fewer than six hours or ten or more hours a night can have health risks. One of the best ways to train our body to sleep well is to get into a regular routine. To get your body into a regular rhythm, aim to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even on weekends and days off. Wake up refreshed every morning.

Grinding Your Teeth?

When under stress, many people find themselves grinding their teeth or clenching their jaws. It is often something we do when we sleep. Bruxism can be caused by stress and anxiety, an abnormal bite or missing and crooked teeth, or it can be due to sleep disorders. Bruxism can lead to symptoms such as dull headache or a sore jaw. Severe grinding can lead to painful or loose teeth which can lead to fractures in your teeth. Your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth during sleep.

Online Health and Wellness Resource

Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® invites you to check out the Wellness Hub, your online Health and Wellness resource for Vancouver Island. The Wellness Hub features hundreds of local business and practitioners offering services and products. In addition, there are hundreds of health tips and articles on a variety of topics. It is easy to search, access and share information. There are currently a few events listed and we are hoping that soon it will be filled with local community event. While you are checking out the Wellness Hub, don’t forget to enter the Summer Adventure Contest. The draw date is July 31, 2021.

Impact of Re-Opened Gaming Venues

Casinos and gaming centres are opening again after a long pause of over 15 months. Are you excited? Happy? Concerned? Anxious? Are you looking to make a re-entry plan that will keep gambling fun and recreational? Would you like to connect with someone for support? Perhaps you want to assess the impact of re-opening land-based gaming venues will have on your relationship with gambling? All of us at Vigamingsupport.ca are here to help you navigate this renewed reality. Whether you are concerned about a loved one’s relationship with gambling, or your own, we are here. Support groups. One-to-One support. Counselling. Reset. Regroup. Restore.

Wear the Right Socks

Have you ever worn socks that were too tight around the calf and left an ugly red welt? Or the ones that fall down and work their way under your foot? Traditional cotton socks hold water and leave feet clammy and wet and not smelling very nice. Wearing the right socks make a difference in your day. Look for socks that have a soft touch top and an ergonomic y-heel that keeps the heel from slipping or socks that guard against blisters with moisture resistance and anti-bacterial protection. Voxxlife socks with HPT technology can also provide stability, support and increased balance.