Wouldn’t it be nice to have meals prepared for you, be free from chores and have the company of others while enjoying organized activities? If the response is yes, then Independent Living might be what you are looking for. Independent Living can offer wonderful support and services in a safe and secure residence. Most people who live in Independent Living get to enjoy the privacy of having their own apartment, and the perk of daily activities, nutritional meals prepared in-house and served in a dining room, weekly housekeeping, and an emergency response system for your safety and security. Dawn Stocks, Site Manager, LaRosaGardens.ca
Community News
What Diet to Choose?
In the 1830s Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham touted a vegetarian diet that excluded spices, condiments and alcohol. There was the grapefruit diet of the 1930s, the cabbage-soup diet of the 1950s and at the turn of the 20th century, American President William Howard Taft adopted a diet of low fat, low calorie, after he got stuck in a White House bathtub! It also became fashionable to chew food until liquefied, sometimes up to 722 times before swallowing! In the 1960s housewife, and ‘Weight Watchers’ originator Jean Nidetch, began weekly support meetings after struggling with her cookie addiction. What most of these diets had in common was the idea that to lose weight you should eat fewer calories. However, this doesn’t account for the specific dietary needs of the dieter. Your best bet is to find a diet that works for you, not the diet that works for your neighbour!
Light the Weigh Wellness Centre, LightWeighWellness.com
A Neighbour Who Cares
We recently received a phone call at the office. The conversation went like this:
Caller: Do you have a service where you call seniors everyday?
Reply: Yes, we do it is called “Friendly Phones”.
Caller: What is the cost for this program?
Reply: It is a Free Service.
Caller: Can anyone get on the list?
Reply: Yes, you just have to come into our office.
Caller: I have an elderly neighbour, who lives alone and would benefit from having a Friendly Phone Call.
Reply: Great please come into the office. It is such a thoughtful and kind act to ensure that your elderly neighbour is safe and cared for.
Shortly thereafter, two men walked in to sign up. Do you know someone?
Sarah Davidge, SouthCowichanCommunityPolicing.ca
Fall Prevention Tips
Falls in the home are all too common. By making a few modifications to slippery floors, poor lighting, loose rugs, electrical cords and clutter, you can prevent dangerous situations. Visit each room in your home. Then look at the space objectively and ask: Is this safe? Are there objects or items that present a fall risk? If so, think about the many ways to create a safer home: wear non slip socks or slippers, use night lights in dark hallways, remove throw rugs, keep electrical cords safely hidden behind furniture and organize your projects so they are off the floor and out of walkways.
Denise Metcalfe, ED, ComoxValleyLifeline.com
Healthy Lifestyle Reboot
The Christmas season can be hard on our resolve to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We tend to overeat, indulge in sweets and drink a little more alcohol than normal. Let’s face it, the holidays puts a strain on us and our body’s natural ability to fight toxins. To help your body recover from the holidays, eat healthy foods loaded with antioxidants, phytochemicals and valuable nutrients. These will detox your system and help you feel refreshed for the start of a new year. You may also want to consider adding supplements. Your local health food store can help you chose the best ones for you.
Sherry Andrews, Owner, Essential Remedies, EssentialRemedies.ca
Teaching Gambling Sense to Children
Gambling in the 21st Century has become a sophisticated, and in some cases, a more subtle wagering activity. The Responsible & Problem Gambling Program and the Centre for Addictions Research have partnered to create lesson plans for the BC’s new K-12 curriculum. Teachings include themes such as: 1 Every human society appears to have accepted gambling in some form; 2 Gambling can be fun but can also lead to significant harm; 3 As humans, we need to learn how to manage gambling and; 4 We can learn how to control gambling by examining the different ways people have thought about it, engaging in critical self-reflection and listening to each other.
Karen Hlady, Community Engagement & Prevention Service Provider, BCResponsibleGambling.ca
Keep Your Home Healthy this Winter
“Close the door, you are letting in the cold air”. Our homes are built to be energy efficient and we diligently seal any cracks that may be allowing cold drafts into the house. Unfortunately, this also seals off our home from fresh air. In turn this increases the concentration of VOCs from the use of cleaning products, traditional air fresheners and scented personal products. To keep your air healthy, try unscented products, add certain indoor plants and open windows when seasonally possible. There are also a growing number of natural, scent-free air fresheners that absorb both odours and chemicals.
What is Caregiver Burn Out?
If you are a care giver of a loved one, it’s important to also take care of yourself. Signs of burn out are: withdrawal from family and friends; feeling blue, irritable and helpless; changes in sleep patterns; getting sick more often; and feelings of resentment. What can you do to support yourself? Talk to a trusted friend or co-worker; set reasonable goals; be realistic about your loved one’s disease, especially if it is a progressive disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Use respite care services when you need a break or while you are assessing care plan changes.
What not to buy for Christmas!?
A popular woman’s magazine ranked socks as the number 2 item on the list of things men definitely do not want for Christmas. What do they know? What could be better than sharing the feeling of wellbeing with someone you love? When you fill the man of your life’s Christmas stockings with the right socks, he will enjoy a gift of wearable technology that can reduce pain, increase strength and endurance and increase stability and balance for months to come. And to make sure that you are fair in your gift giving, don’t forget the women in your life. They too will thank Santa Clause for the socks.
Coping with Holiday Stress
The holiday season is a special time but for some, it can be a time of grief and sadness. Sometimes the holidays include stressful situations that lead to more time and money spent on gambling than anticipated. If you plan on gambling during the holidays, here are a couple of strategies to keep things fun and mitigate the risks: Don’t gamble alone; keep it a social activity; leave your bank cards and credit cards at home; and finally, set time and money limits and stick to them. If you feel the need for a distraction such as gambling to escape the holiday stress, look for a healthier alternative: take in a movie, go out for dinner, connect with a friend and please feel free to call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 1-888-795-6111. Our counsellors and support workers are here to help!
Holiday Wishes
With all the hustle and bustle of deadlines and meetings, we sometimes forget to take the time to reflect on the important things in our lives; our health, our family and our friends. We are grateful for these and many things that we take for granted; clean air, water from the tap and feelings of wellbeing. With Christmas just around the corner, we want to take the opportunity to wish our many readers, advertisers and friends, Peace, Happiness and Good Health this Holiday Season.
