Community News
Local Spotlight: Heart to Home Meals

Heart to Home Meals delivers delicious, nutritious meals right to your door. The company’s team of experts has developed a wide-ranging menu to suit many tastes, dietary needs, and lifestyles, including high-protein, low carbohydrates and/or saturated fat, low sodium, high fibre, vegetarian, and no added sugar options. Heart to Home Meals has a useful diet coding system to help you choose meals that are right for you. Meals also come in mini versions (for smaller appetites), hearty versions (for larger appetites), as well as minced or pureed options. It’s as easy as ordering online or by phone!

Denture Health and Nutrition

Compromised oral health affects nutrition, influencing food choices and leading to potential health issues. Painful or loose teeth limit the consumption of fibrous foods, resulting in a diet high in cholesterol but low in protein, vitamins, and minerals. This imbalance may cause malnutrition, with deficiencies in essential nutrients like B12 and iron. Iron deficiency can manifest as a swollen tongue, cracked lips, ulcers, diarrhea, and weakness. Vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to inflamed mouth, burning tongue, and altered taste sensation. Even losing one tooth can disrupt bite and chewing efficiency, while multiple losses exacerbate malnutrition risks. Consider dentures to address these challenges.

Good Nutrition & Digestion = Good Health

No matter how clean, organic, and healthy you eat, if your body isn’t able to digest, absorb, and process essential nutrients properly, you are not benefitting from your efforts.
To do this, your stomach needs to fully digest, your intestines need to completely absorb, and your liver needs to properly process the food you eat.
One of the simplest ways to correct and improve any issue you may have with the digestive process is through nutritional testing.
If a weakness is found in a specific organ, nutritional supplementation can be added to your diet to improve the digestive process and in turn, help you benefit from your wise choices.

Nourishing Seniors, Building Communities

In retirement communities, mealtimes are vital for seniors, fostering socialization and delivering essential nutrients. To ensure a wholesome diet, communities prioritize well-balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Seniors, prone to health risks, must maintain good nutrition to avoid weight loss, depression, and weakened immune systems. The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging reports over 5.5 million seniors facing food insecurity. Retirement communities address nutritional challenges by providing chef-prepared communal meals. This approach ensures proper nutrition, fosters a social atmosphere, and creates a well-rounded dining experience for residents.

Disability Support Unveiled

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) stands as a non-refundable tax credit with the power to significantly reduce income tax payments, subject to approval from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It caters to individuals grappling with physical and mental disabilities, alleviating the financial burdens associated with their impairments. Eligible disabilities span vision, mobility, hearing, feeding, dressing, elimination functions, and mental capacities crucial for daily life. For a list of eligible medical conditions, refer to official resources for comprehensive information.

Searching for Your Retirement Haven?

Today’s active seniors are looking to get the most out of their retirement. When weighing the options for senior living, consider how much the senior living industry has grown in the last five years. Independent living has become a retirement haven for seniors who want flexibility and peace of mind. It is designed for the independent senior with an active lifestyle who wants to simplify their worries of home maintenance, commuting, safety, social isolation, and health. Senior living in an independent living community is designed to streamline your life to give you the time to do the things you want to do.

Blooms for Self-Love

Embrace the beauty of self-love beyond Valentine’s Day by indulging in roses throughout the year. Beyond being a symbol of romance, roses offer a daily dose of joy and self-appreciation. Treat yourself to vibrant blooms that uplift spirits and add elegance to your space. Whether it’s a single stem or a lavish bouquet, the enchanting fragrance and lush colors can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. Celebrate your own presence and resilience with a gesture that echoes love. Throughout the seasons, let the timeless allure of roses be a reminder to cherish and pamper yourself, making every day special.

Healthy Living, Pest-Free Homes

Protect your family’s health by promptly addressing pests in your home. Unwanted invaders like rodents and insects can spread diseases and trigger allergies. If you notice signs of infestation such as droppings, gnaw marks, or unusual odors, don’t hesitate to call a professional exterminator. DIY solutions may provide temporary relief, but a licensed expert can identify the root cause and implement effective, long-term solutions. Regular pest inspections and preventive measures, like sealing cracks and storing food properly, can further safeguard your home. Timely intervention by a qualified exterminator ensures a healthy, pest-free environment for your loved ones.

Eating a Heart-Healthy Diet

When combined with other healthy habits, eating a heart-healthy diet can help you control blood pressure and blood sugar levels, maintain a healthy weight, and lower cholesterol. Focus on eating fewer trans fats (fried foods), saturated fats (processed foods), high-fat meats, processed meats and cheeses, and anything high in sugar or sodium. Eat more colourful veggies and fruits; high-quality proteins (such as poultry and fatty fish); healthy fats (such as avocados, olive oil, flax seeds, raw nuts, and fish oils); high-fibre pastas, breads, or cereals made from legumes or whole grains; eggs; and dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa).

How Is Your Cardiovascular Health?

Did you know that you can have cardiovascular disease without experiencing any symptoms? Many people are not diagnosed until the condition worsens to the point where they have angina, stroke, or heart failure: that’s why it is important to start taking steps towards a healthy heart and arteries today. A good screening test for early signs of disease is Digital Pulsewave Analysis (DPA). This Health Canada-approved, non-invasive method will show you how your cardiovascular system is working. This information can then be used to devise a specific program to improve your cardiovascular health before symptoms occur. Remember, what you don’t know CAN hurt you!

Dementia 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 support groups for 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. With our wide variety of groups, offered virtually and in-person, you can share, laugh and help others who are on similar journeys as you.
Learn more about our support groups at Alzheimer.mb.ca.