If you have a parent who is in hospital, lives in a retirement home or in a long-term care facility, you may be asking yourself, “would Mom or Dad be safer staying at home with me temporarily?” Families across the country are struggling with this dilemma. Given the challenges of preventing disease transmission, some experts are recommending that seniors who can stay elsewhere should do so. If you want to bring a senior parent home temporarily but you’re worried about how you’ll provide the level of care they need, consider home health care services.
The Gift of Gratitude & Reflection
As we move into the darkest and shortest day of the year on December 21st, we enter a month of reflection and appreciation for what we have and who we have in our lives. Creating a gratitude list, sending notes of thanks and appreciation, taking inventory of the significant moments of our past year in review. Taking the time to reflect, sets the stage and allows us to better figure out where we want to put our energy and move towards the new year to come.
The Buddy System
If you’ve ever suffered an injury to one area, only to have another suddenly start acting up as well, you’re not alone! Let’s say for instance, that your shoulder doesn’t move fully into flexion on its own, but you’re completely unaware because your back always helps out by going into a little bit of extension – but then you hurt your back… Now your back can’t lend that movement to your arm, and suddenly, not only does your back hurt, but your shoulder isn’t moving well! Are you interested to know how your body parts are working together? We can work together in person or virtually to explore your unique movement puzzle!
Ask The Expert
Q: I’m worried about my blood sugar over the holidays – should I be worried about my eyes?
A: Assuming that you’re diabetic, then of course your eyes will need basic routine checkups; we commonly check for diabetic eye problems like retinal bleeding or severe changes in focus. This sounds like a more general concern about your health, and you may need to talk to your physician or dietician about more specific concerns about your blood sugar control.
Improving Our Immune System
A strong immune system equips the body with the defenses necessary to fight infectious diseases and cancers and assists in recovering from illness. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there is no time like the present to work on improving yours. A brief increase in body temperature during and directly following exercise may prevent bacteria from growing and may also help the body fight infection. Exercise helps regulate the autonomic nervous system which is responsible for regulating body temperature. Moderate exercise has been shown to bolster the function of certain components of the human immune system-such as natural killer cells, circulating T-and B-lymphocytes, and cells of the monocyte-macrophage system- thereby possibly decreasing the incidence of some infections.
What is a Carrier Oil?
Carrier Oils are essential in your aromatherapy toolkit. This term refers to a wide range of different solutions such as coconut, sweet almond, or grapeseed oil. It is not recommended to put essential oils directly on the skin, so they must be mixed with a carrier oil in order to ensure your safety (and the essential oil’s benefits) when used topically. As an alternative to a simple oil, our Moisturizing Base Cream also ensures safe application. 1% dilution would be 7 drops per 30 ml of carrier oil or cream. The Base Cream is fully customizable, allowing you to choose which scents and properties best suit your individual needs.
The Golden Rule – A Model of Self-Care
The Golden Rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The presumption of this rule implies that you look after yourself FIRST with the highest level of respect and care and then you treat ALL others in the same way. How do you honour your personal time? How do you fill your cup of nutriment first? Do you plan for time daily and weekly to lovingly meet your needs for rejuvenation? How can you implement this in your life and how can you lovingly enforce it with your family?
Clean Eating: Simple Vegan Eggnog
Ingredients: 1 15-ounce can coconut milk (400 ml), 1/2 cup raw cashews, 1/4 cup water, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon. Directions: Soak the cashews overnight or for at least 1 hour. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve the eggnog chilled, so keep it in the fridge for at least 1 or 2 hours. Enjoy the Holiday Season!
Music and Dementia
The effects of dementia are devastating to individuals and their families. Researchers are keen to find ways to ease its symptoms and restore abilities and memory. Studies on music and dementia have shown promising findings. Did you know that the area of the brain associated with musical memory tends to be least affected by dementia? Music therapy may help reduce cognitive decline while improving the memory of people with dementia. In one study, test subjects performed better on memory tests when they listened to music. It has also been found that the emotional content of music can bring back emotional memories.
Support Available 24/7
Covid 19 continues to disrupt our routines. BC casinos and gaming centres remain closed as per public health order closures. Consequently, online gambling platforms have experienced an increase in play. This shift may worsen risk factors including social isolation and increased substance use as well as an increase in use of credit to gamble. The Responsible & Problem Gambling Program remains committed to serving the people of BC 24/7. Our support services include outreach, education, and counselling services by phone, text, web chat, or in person, all of which are FREE of charge. We’re here for you, should gambling take a harmful turn.
Shoulder Pain Relief
To eliminate the pain of frozen shoulder or rotator cuff injuries and to regenerate the joint, especially with osteo-arthritic elements; acupuncture and Prolozone injection therapy are my treatment protocols. Hypoxia or the inadequacy of cellular oxygen reaching the body’s tissues causes degeneration in the ligaments. Prolozone is excellent for all forms of musculo-skeletal and joint pain including chronic neck & back pain, rotator cuff injuries, degenerative, arthritic hips,knees, degenerated discs, shoulder and elbow pain. Because in many cases Prolozone actually corrects the pathology of the disorder, there is a 75% chance for the chronic pain sufferer to becoming permanently pain free.