Community News
Importance of a Medication Review

Are you managing several prescriptions? Do you know how they interact with each other? Are they providing you with the maximum benefit? These are a few questions that can be answered through a personalized medication review with your Central Alberta Co-op pharmacist. They will review your medical and health history, explain the importance of each medication, and answer any questions you may have. They are your wellness resource and advocate, if you have ANY questions or concerns with your medications, connect with your Central Alberta Co-op pharmacy and schedule a medical review today.

What’s Keeping You Up?

Restorative sleep brings optimal health. Does your mind run all night? Does the need to urinate keep you up? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are three types of insomnia. The first relates to the heart where your mind can’t turn off at night, the second is due to liver yang rising and not properly shunting the blood. The third relates to the kidney in which one wakes several times in the night and feels unrested when morning comes. A customized treatment plan is created in TCM depending on your symptoms and situation.

Stop the Emotional Spin Cycle

Do you feel like you are in an emotional spin cycle? This emotional spin cycle can occur when we get caught up in never-ending fears and worries, or get stuck going over and over problems, or issues without being able to clearly think it through or resolve it. All of this causes stress. You can let go of fear and worry and be peaceful and calm. You can regain your clarity and confidence, see other options and perspectives, enabling you to resolve problems and issues. It is possible to stop the spin cycle, with emotional wellness and Tapping.

Be Mindful not Mind-Full

Thanks to the web and social media today, we’re exposed to more than most grandparents were exposed to in a lifetime. It’s no wonder we get overwhelmed at times. The best way to manage a full mind, is to practice mindfulness. Being mindful allows our brains to process information, be present, and enjoy the moment. Here are three tips. One: take five minutes before getting out of the car before or after work to just BE. Two: practice the 5/5 rule by noticing five things about each of your senses once a day. Three: Stop multi-tasking at least once a day.

Making Informed and Caring Decisions

Q: My siblings and I are concerned about where my elderly father should live. How do we work through our different opinions? A: Well-meaning relatives may disagree with one another or with the aging person about where they should live and the level of care they require. Lawyers work with the family and excellent resources within the community to help ensure that the legal needs of vulnerable people and those who care about them are met. This work can also include discussions about financial circumstances, concerns, and estate planning.

Foot Facts: Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are growths that usually appear on the heels or other weight-bearing areas of your feet. This pressure may also cause plantar warts to grow inward beneath a hard, thick callus. Plantar warts are caused by HPV. The virus enters your body through tiny cuts, breaks or other weak spots on the bottom of your feet. Plantar warts can be treated with over the counter treatments but if these are not effective, there are several other options available, including laser treatment. If you need help with a plantar wart contact your Podiatrist today.

Let’s Talk & Take Action

Our harsh Alberta winters takes its toll on us. Frigid weather combined with reduced sunshine can create a depressing environment that limits our physical and mental potential. Physical and mental health are very interconnected, with each aspect suffering when the other is out of sync. Embrace Bell’s Let’s Talk principles in your life – language matters, educate yourself, be kind, listen and ask and simply talk about it. We believe in an integrated approach to health and wellness by providing resources and practitioners that can help your journey towards physical and mental wellness.

Importance of a Will

Drafting a will is one of your most important responsibilities in life. It reduces the burden on your loved ones to deal with your estate financial matters. A will provides you with the authority to decide several things: who your personal representative (executor) will be to administer your estate; who your beneficiaries will be and what assets they will receive; as well as create trusts for children with disabilities, spouses, or aging parents. A will should not be considered a once-in-a-lifetime event but rather should reflect your current situation and be updated throughout your life as your circumstances change.

Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline

Researchers have found that even the earliest stage of hearing loss – when hearing is still considered normal (0-25dB) – is linked to cognitive decline. Most people with hearing loss believe they can go about their lives just fine without treatment, and maybe some can, but hearing loss is not benign. It has been linked to social isolation, depression, cognitive decline, diabetes, dementia, and other health problems. Hearing loss should be treated, and the earlier, the better. Studies show hearing aids can slow cognitive decline in older people with age-related hearing loss.

Words to Live By

“We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

Words to Live By

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent van Gogh