Community News
Eating a Balanced Diet

To maintain our health, we need to consume foods that provide us with essential nutrients that our bodies can’t produce themselves. This means we need to eat a balanced diet that includes both macronutrients and micronutrients. People’s nutrient needs can vary based on their age, physical activity level, and sex. Macronutrients include fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and some minerals, and our bodies need these in large quantities daily for growth, energy, and maintenance. Micronutrients include vitamins and trace minerals, and our bodies need them to metabolize macronutrients. Micronutrients are usually required in smaller amounts – from milligrams to micrograms.

Sowing Seeds Indoors

It’s time to shake off the winter blues and brighten your spirit by bringing a little greenery into your home. Make it feel like spring by starting some seeds indoors. Here are some tips to make your indoor garden a success: 1) Choose easy seeds like tomato, lettuce, marigold, and cosmos. 2) Choose containers with good drainage – these can even be recycled plastic food containers. 3) Follow instructions on the seed packets so you know when and how to plant your seeds. 4) Place containers in a warm, bright location and keep the soil moist.

Look for Local at Sobeys

De Luca’s Specialty Foods is a local family company that has been sourcing out local quality products since 1969 and distributing them to chains and independent stores and restaurants in Western Canada. Shape Foods is one of those products. Shape Foods is the leading producer of premium organic flax meal, which is rich in protein and fibre, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Their flax comes straight from the Canadian Prairies in Brandon, Manitoba. With Shape Foods’ selection of flax products, getting enough protein, fibre, and omega-3s from the ultimate superfood is easy, simple, and delicious! Pick up a bag of Shape Flax Meal the next time you stop in at Sobeys.

Raising Funds to Support Healthcare

The Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation has a mission to raise funds to support healthcare needs in the community. All donations made to the Foundation are used to purchase equipment and support programming in our hospital. There are numerous ways you can donate: • In memory of a loved one • In honour of someone special • To give thanks for care received • In celebration of a special event • Through Planned Giving in your estate/will • Through corporate philanthropy • By hosting a fundraiser. Whether you direct your giving to the area of greatest need, to a specific area or for long term investment, you can be sure that your donation is making a difference in the community. All donations in excess of $1,000 cumulative will be included on the BRHC Foundation Donor Wall. For more info, or to make a donation see our website.

Medical Alert Service

Victoria Lifeline is a service that is provided by Brandon Seniors for Seniors. An easy-to-use HomeSafe medical alert service connects you to our trained Lifeline Response Associate at the touch of a button. Call 204-571-2053 for more information or to sign up.

Getting a Better Night’s Sleep

In a recent survey, 30 percent of older adults reported being dissatisfied with their sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, here are a few tips to get you back on track: 1) Maintain a sleep schedule and go to bed at the same time each night. 2) Don’t use bedtime as worry time – an anxious mind will have trouble falling asleep so try some deep breathing exercises or reading a few pages of a book to help you relax. 3) Consider the benefits of daily exercise. A study from Northwestern University showed that adults aged 55+ who exercised 4 times a week for 30 minutes a day dramatically improved their sleep quality!

Prevent and Treat Iron Deficiency

1.85 million Canadians suffer from iron deficiency*.
To ensure that you aren’t one of those, speak to your healthcare provider to ensure that you are meeting your iron needs. Iron is found in specific food sources, however if you are not meeting your iron requirements, iron supplements are available. There’s a once daily dosing option with the highest amount of elemental heme iron, and better gastrointestinal tolerability available. You no longer have to suffer from the well-known side effects of iron supplements or take 2-3 capsules a day. Cheers to the Power of One.

HEMAFORTE 1™ can be purchased at www.hemaforte.ca
or your local pharmacy. Please give your pharmacist the product codes McKesson #146492 and #146497.

*5% of Canadians have iron deficiency, as per Statistics Canada reports. Statistics Canada. Iron Sufficiency of Canadians. Catalogue no. 82-003-XPE Health Reports, Vol. 23, no. 4. December 2012.

HEMAFORTE 1, Seaford Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Dementia Online Support Groups

Being diagnosed with dementia raises uncertainty, fears, and unknowns. The Alzheimer Society is a place to turn for a community of services, support and experts that can help ease some of these concerns. One way to feel connected is through our weekly virtual support groups both for people living with dementia and for their care partners. It’s a great way to connect, interact with and learn from others in a safe environment where you can share, laugh, and help each other through mutual understanding. Learn more about our support groups and other programs on our website at Alzheimer.mb.ca.

Avoiding Cheilitis from Dentures

People who wear dentures can sometimes experience an infection of the mouth called cheilitis, which can cause painful inflammation and cracks at the corners of the mouth. This is often due to an overgrowth of yeast from dentures that fit improperly. Yeast is always present in our mouths, but certain issues can cause it to accumulate and cause infections like cheilitis. It’s important to visit your denturist regularly (at least once a year) so they can make any necessary adjustments to refit your dentures. Be sure to clean your dentures daily and chew on both sides to maintain proper fit.

Out to Lunch

Join us at Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. for our “Out to Lunch” get together, every Friday at noon. Only $10.00 for members and $12.00 for non-members for a delicious home cooked meal. Please call 204-571-2053 to book a spot because right now we are limited in our capacity.