Are you single on Valentine’s Day? Although it is only a day, it is representative of where your love life is at. Finding yourself single can be very isolating in today’s couples’ oriented society. People often start out with online dating and become increasingly frustrated and disappointed with the games and lack of accountability. As a professional matchmaker with over 25 years of experience, I have facilitated thousands of successful love connections that are still going strong many years later. As a matter of fact, I just received a call from a couple I matched 23 years ago. They called to thank me and let me know I enabled them to live a life of love.
Community News
Product Review: Kyäni Sunrise™
Energize your body, boost mental clarity, promote vitality with an energy drink that’s actually GOOD for you! Kyäni Sunrise™ is carefully designed for all ages, to provide the body with the essential vitamins, trace minerals and antioxidants it needs to flourish. A natural, healthy way to help your energy soar while fighting free radicals and inflammation. Featuring superfoods like the wild Alaskan Blueberry, Mangosteen, Ashwaganda and over 20 other powerful natural ingredients packed in a 1 oz pouch, Kyäni Sunrise™ IS the perfect way to start your day!
Structured Water
Science proves waters responsible for longevity. Dr. Marcel Vogel (Father of Structured Water Science) calls it ‘liquid crystal’ completely compatible with instant cell wall entry & exit. Natural Action Technologies Structuring Devices mimic nature, transforming any water energetically by double vortexing, creating a 6 molecule cluster, an easy uptake into each cell’s aquaporin channel. “Water inside your cells is absolutely critical for health”, Dr. Mercola. Suzanne Forcese. SunriseStructuredWellness.com
Community Event
February 23. Coldest Night of the Year! Fundraiser Walk. For the last 45 years Main Street Project has provided a safe place for people in Winnipeg living with addictions, homelessness, and mental illness. Plans are now well underway to redevelop that 36,000 square foot space into a modern, properly equipped, round-the-clock shelter, detox centre and treatment facility. Walk by yourself, join a team or start a team at CNOY.org/location/Winnipeg
Balance: Don’t Lose It!
How’s your balance? Those slippery Winter-peg icy sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots can make it very challenging to stay on two feet!
Our ability to balance depends on many things. Think of uneven terrain like a hiking path or a street curb, or an unsteady or moving surface like travelling on a moving bus. It also matters if we are anticipating something that might knock us over, or if it takes us by surprise. Our body has not one, but three systems contributing to our ability to balance:
- Vision – we can see if we are falling! If our surroundings are all suddenly tilting or going in the same direction, it alerts us.
- Vestibular (inner ear) – complex structures deep in our ear canals detect changes like rotation, acceleration, head position, and our relationship to gravity.
- Proprioception (in muscles and joints) – our ability to know what position our bodies are in. Without looking, we know if our arm is up or down…or bent or straight.
Balance is like most skills: if we don’t use it…we lose it! As we get older it is very common for balance decrease. And so, falling is more common in elderly populations. But this does not have to be the case!
A physiotherapy balance assessment can identify areas that need practice. A personalized balance program takes only minutes out of your day, can help you use your balance…so you don’t lose your balance!!
If you want to improve your balance and minimize your risk of falls, talk to your physio!
Erin Blaine, MPT
Physiotherapist | Prairie Trail Physiotherapy
When a Senior Loved One Has a Gambling Problem
Gambling is a huge industry in Canada. Casino gambling is more popular than ever.
Seniors enjoy bingo, racetrack betting—and especially, casino gambling. Retirement-aged consumers are an especially desirable demographic for the gaming industry because they fill the floors during off-peak hours. Casinos market to them aggressively, offering discounted meals, ‘Golden Oldies’ entertainment shows, and complimentary shuttle service.
For many seniors, gambling is harmless entertainment. They hop on the casino shuttle, socialize with others and casino staff, bet a few dollars and take advantage of senior discounts on meals, drinks and perhaps a show. They’ve set aside part of their entertainment budget for gambling, and they stop when they reach their limit. However, some older adults develop a gambling problem that seriously impacts their financial well-being.
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling—also referred to as gambling addiction, pathological gambling or a gambling disorder—happens when a person becomes obsessed with gambling and has an uncontrollable urge to keep gambling. According to the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, “For the problem gambler, making a bet is not just about having fun or winning money. Gambling becomes an emotional response to change the way they feel.” In addition, warns the NCPG, a person might have a gambling problem if they are:
- Bragging about gambling, exaggerating wins and minimizing losses
- Restless and irritable when not gambling
- Gambling in hopes of winning back what they have lost
- Borrowing money for gambling
- Lying to hide time spent gambling or unpaid debts
- Doing something illegal to get money for gambling
- Jeopardizing a significant relationship or job by gambling
Why are seniors at higher risk?
The NCPG explains that boredom, isolation, depression and cognitive impairment affect judgment and make it harder for senior gamblers to stick to their limit. Seniors on a fixed income—who can little afford to gamble away their money—might hope that they will strike it rich and improve their financial situation. In addition to the signs above, family may notice that their loved one has withdrawn from the activities they used to enjoy. Possessions may have disappeared from their loved one’s home, and their loved one is vague about what happened. A senior may be neglecting their personal needs—food, medical care, or exercise. And here’s a sign experts often cite as a red flag: Seniors with a gambling addiction show little interest in the buffet, entertainment or social aspects of a casino trip, instead heading straight for their “lucky machine” and settling in.
What can family do?
The first step is to review the warning signs of problem gambling to get a better picture of whether your loved one has a problem. You can’t step in merely because you don’t approve of gambling, or you think Mom should spend her entertainment money somewhere else.
The next step is to determine whether there are medical reasons behind the problem. Gerontologists say problem gambling might be a sign that a senior is dealing with early Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive impairment that impairs judgment and impulse control. The side effects of some medications also can make a senior more susceptible to compulsive gambling. For example, certain drugs prescribed to control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease have been linked to impulse control—including pathological gambling. Urge your loved one to be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out or diagnose these problems.
Having a conversation about problem gambling can be very difficult. Your loved one may resist talking about it and may insist that there isn’t a problem. Assure them that you have their best interests in mind, and that you want to help, not judge. Encourage your loved one to talk to a professional. Treatment is available for gambling addiction and includes support groups, psychotherapy and sometimes medication. Consider bringing in a geriatric care manager (also called an aging life care specialist) to mediate the conversation and to help you locate treatment resources. Talk to your loved one’s financial manager, or consult an elder law attorney. Sometimes, if a senior is no longer able to manage their money, families must take a larger role. (Read “Stepping In, Stepping Up: Legal Issues for Family Caregivers” in the August 2016 issue of the Caring Right at Home newsletter to learn more. A poll in that issue found that many Caring Right at Home readers have held a durable power of attorney or guardianship for a senior loved one at some point.)
Not every gambling habit rises to the level of addiction. A senior who goes to the casino several times a week to stave off boredom and loneliness might find even more mental stimulation and companionship through a senior recreation program, volunteer service, events at their faith community, or taking a class. Help your loved one locate appropriate activities in the area. If your loved one has become isolated due to mobility challenges, consider hiring home care to provide companionship and transportation. Even computer games can be a substitute for folks who enjoy relaxing with a machine—and as a bonus, these games offer far more mental stimulation and brain exercise than a slot machine.
Take Control Of Your Health!
The beginning of the year is a great time to think about your health and investigate ways of improving it. One of the most effective things that you can do is to get tested nutritionally. For example, Contact Reflex Analysis nutritional testing will determine if you are lacking specific nutrients that could be causing or contributing to an unwanted health condition. If a weakness or deficiency is found, specialized nutritional formulations can be taken to correct the affected areas, so your health can improve naturally. Let 2019 be the year that you take control of your health and well-being.
Celebrate Every Step Forward
The new calendar year potentially heralds thoughts of resolutions and new beginnings. For some, this feels inspiring, and for others, overwhelming. We may make plans for eating healthier, exercising more, or improving our relationships, but eventually our momentum may wane. Instead of feeling proud that we were inspired and motivated, and maybe made steps toward our intention, we may judge ourselves for “failing” or being “weak-willed”. Challenge yourself by resolving this new calendar year to celebrate each and every small, medium, or large step that you take toward becoming the best you! Happy 2019!
Product Review: RC Essential Oil
This time of year brings new memories and resolutions, but sometimes may also bring discomfort to your respiratory system.
RC Essential Oil blends the scents of cypress, spruce and eucalyptus to provide a refreshing aroma to the air in any office or home. RC promotes a restful sleep when diffused in a bedroom. It also provides an invigorating experience when added to a bath or shower. When applied to the throat or chest RC also promotes a refreshing respiratory experience.
Purify Your Home
Here in Canada, due to our colder climate, we tend to seal our homes and buildings with deadly precision. We use the term “deadly” because there is a possibility of over 1500 invisible and potentially toxic substances contaminating your air space right now, Isn’t it time you took control over what you’re breathing? With active purification technologies such as ionization, UV light and Activated Oxygen; we can now effectively remove smoke, odours, allergens, bacteria and viruses! Purifiers such as the pureAir 500C are effective solutions that have a whisper quiet fan when running.
Staying Social as a Senior
As we get older, health conditions, mobility limitations or a lack of energy can keep us from being as socially active as we once were. A diminishing social life might happen gradually as close friends experience the same conditions and family members grow busy. We may not even notice how long it has been since we last spent time with a friend! Isolation has many physical and emotional health risks. Especially if you live by yourself, staying socially active is critical to enjoying a healthy lifestyle. Volunteer at a local organization, join a senior living community or find a group that focuses on similar interests (e.g., knitting, water aerobics, cooking). Get back to living your best life!
