Dementia prevention focuses on reducing risk factors that contribute to cognitive decline. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle plays a key role, including regular physical activity, a balanced diet (like the Mediterranean or DASH diet), and staying mentally active through learning and social engagement. Managing health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol is crucial, as they increase the risk of dementia. Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption also helps. While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, research suggests that staying physically, mentally, and socially engaged may delay or reduce the likelihood of developing cognitive impairments.
Community News
Staying Social with Hearing Loss
For someone with hearing loss, social situations are challenging. Help improve communication with them by following these simple tips: • Gain their attention before you begin talking. • Speak naturally and don’t shout. Speak distinctly, at a normal rate, using pauses to give the person time to process speech. • Keep your hands away from your face while talking. • Avoid sudden changes of topic. And if the subject changes, tell them what you are talking about now. • Seat them where they can see as many faces as possible. • Check in. If your listener is not following, convey the information again in shorter, clearer sentences.
Tips to Stay Healthy
With the change in weather comes the potential for colds, flu, and COVID! Everyone is encouraged to get their flu and COVID booster shots. Remember to sanitize regularly out in the community, especially if you are in the grocery store (the handles of the carts) and when you get back into the car. Comfort Keepers can help by doing your shopping for you, or if you get sick, we can help by just giving the care needed as you convalesce. Contact us today to set up a meeting and get a regular schedule in place for times like this. Let’s stay well this winter.
Take Care of Your Heart
Every year, more than 60,000 Canadians suffer a heart attack. A healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk. If you have cardiovascular disease, follow your treatment carefully and take medicine as prescribed. Common signs of a heart attack include *chest pain; *discomfort or pain in the neck, jaw, shoulder, back, or arm; *shortness of breath; and *dizziness. If you are having a heart attack, call 911 immediately, follow operator instructions, stop all activity, stay calm, and rest in a comfortable position while waiting for help. Ask our pharmacist for more information about heart health.
Relaxation and Self-Care
Client Testimonial: “Raindrop and endocrine treatments are a regular part of my self-care practice. They are a little break out of the busyness of life where I simply slow down and relax into my body. I feel the release and flow of stuck energy and always leave feeling more clarity and grounded. I’m beyond grateful for Jennifer’s knowledge and expertise in essential oils, her healing touch, and her loving care.” A Raindrop Technique Massage combines massage, distinctive energy approaches, intuitive wisdom, and pure essential oils. An endocrine massage is a relaxing soft touch massage using Young Living essential oils and crystals.
Fall Prevention Month
It’s fall prevention month, and that’s an extremely important one for us at Nanaimo Lifeline. 20%–30% of hospitalizations from injuries among older Canadians each year are attributed to falling. Not only that but falling is the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 0-14 months each year as well! To prevent falls, it’s important to engage in balance and strength-training exercises, avoid alcohol and substance abuse, and find out about any side effects of medications that may cause cognitive or balance impairments. And as always, eating a healthy diet contributes to strong bones and muscles. Stay safe!
Eating Healthy at Holiday Meals
Holiday and special celebration meals are amazing. The endless array of baking, casseroles, and other rich foods can make your mouth water long before the meal. Sometimes “too much of a good thing is—too much!” To stay on track with healthy eating during celebrations, plan ahead of time. Decide what you cannot live without and plan to enjoy it without guilt. Allow yourself to indulge in small portions and savour them. Be sure to include fresh vegetables and drink plenty of water during the celebration to keep hydrated. Water helps flush out the extra salt and fat that you consume.
Is Your Back Sore?
Here is a simple “exercise” you can do to help relieve back pain. All you need is a *floor, *a yoga mat or rug, and *a coffee table or couch to put your legs up on. Lie down on the mat with your calves up on the table or couch. Your knees and hips should be at a 90-degree angle; knees stacked over hips. Lie there for two to 15 minutes and let gravity do the work of putting your spine, hips, and pelvis back into a neutral position. If necessary, keep your knees stacked by using pillows to support them.
Meet the Practitioner: Chrissandra Unger
A few years ago, I was feeling burnt out, processing some past traumas, and had low energy. A lot of self-care and energy adjustments were deeply needed. I read about Biofield Tuning, which made me curious to see what it could do for me. I found an amazing practitioner, and the results were remarkable—my energy returned, and I was able to set more heart desires in motion. I self-cared and studied this method and became a Biofield Tuning practitioner. I now help people with anxiety and depression, energy renewal, fear and grief, adrenal fatigue, and more. Contact me for a free consultation.
Maintain Your Pearly Whites
We get asked this question all the time: “How often should I brush and floss my teeth?” We recommend that you brush your teeth in the morning before eating. It is best to floss and rinse after every meal to help maintain the enamel (whiteness) of the teeth. After drinking or eating acidic foods, always wait 45 minutes to brush your teeth. Acidic foods soften enamel, and if you brush too soon, it thins your enamel prematurely. Follow these tips and visit your dental hygienist regularly to help keep your teeth healthy and white.
Prevent Trips and Falls
When you think of weather-related trips or falls, you’re likely imagining a time when it’s cold and icy outside, but any time of year can be risky. When on unfamiliar terrain, seniors should take caution. Outdoor rugs, uneven sidewalks, unpaved roads, and even uneven patio stones can quickly become a safety hazard. Our tips for seniors to avoid unnecessary slips and falls include: *Keep areas well-lit and clean. *Wear comfortable, well-fitting, non-slip footwear. *Make sure glasses and walking devices are in top shape. Preventing falls reduces injuries and may help you stay in your home longer.
