Eating right plays a major part in a senior’s quality of life. Some important dietary factors that should be considered include: Sodium – OK in moderation, as long as the foods are high-quality. Fats – Monitor saturated and trans fatty acids, and lean more towards monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (like omega-3s). Carbohydrates – Spread carbohydrates throughout the day to manage blood sugar. Protein – Increase protein intake to maintain muscle mass. Fibre – Eat plenty of fibre and drink plenty of water. Sugar – Consume in moderation. Vitamin D – Consider taking a daily vitamin D3 supplement if sun exposure and dairy intake are limited.
Community News
Float Therapy for Overall Well-being
Floatation therapy is known to induce the theta state; a state of consciousness characterized by deep relaxation, meditation and enhanced creativity. The theta state is associated with a range of benefits, including *reduced stress and anxiety levels, *improved creativity and *enhanced mental clarity. During floatation therapy, the brain waves slow down to theta frequency, allowing individuals to access this state and experience its benefits. Individuals can connect with their subconscious mind, which can lead to deeper insights and self-awareness. This can help identify and address sources of stress and anxiety, leading to greater overall well-being.
Move for Mentoring – Make a Difference
Feeling stuck? Need some motivation? Join us in Move for Mentoring and show local children that goals can be achieved! Choose any goal to move towards and share it on our website – or team up to have a BIG impact. Take on our Three-Week Challenge and get free access to classes and resources on fitness, goal-setting, mental health, financial planning and more. Register today – the first $15,000 raised will be matched by Peninsula Co-op. Feel good about making a difference for young people in our community while focusing on your wellness.
Puzzles for a Strong Mind
Puzzling is a mental workout that stimulates both sides of the brain. Studies have shown that jigsaw puzzles can help improve visual-spatial reasoning, short-term memory and problem-solving skills, as well as reduce the rate of cognitive decline and dementia. It can help improve your mood by boosting dopamine production. Puzzling helps reinforce connections between brain cells, improving mental speed and thought processes. Engaging yourself in puzzle-making can serve as an exercise in mindfulness and help relieve stress. Puzzles are a great way to exercise the small muscles in fingers and eyes especially for those with arthritis or who have experienced a stroke.
Suffering From Indigestion?
Heavy meals can put a strain on your gallbladder and liver, especially if you are already under stress. In Chinese Medicine, these two organs are associated with emotions such as anger and frustration. How can you love and care for your liver and gallbladder? Avoid heavy, fatty and fried foods. Have routines to de-stress and healthy outlets for feelings of anger, irritation or fury. Love yourself and avoid self-criticism. Eating bitter foods such as radishes, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and dandelion greens or drinking dandelion tea can support bile production and help cleanse your liver and gallbladder.
Keep Betting in Perspective
March Madness (NCAA Basketball) is one of the biggest sports betting events across North America. According to a study at AmericanGaming.org reported on 888Gambler.org, in 2019, 47M Americans gambled on March Madness, with an estimated $8.5B wagered. More than 40M participants filled in over 149M brackets, with 18M Americans wagering about $3.9B on sportsbooks alone. And these are strictly American statistics. In Canada, online sports betting was recently legalized (August 2021), however, 3rd party apps abound, offering sports betting enthusiasts many opportunities and types of gambling. Keep sports betting fun and in perspective. Don’t let a game you can’t control, control you.
The Journey to Better Hearing
Recognizing the signs of hearing loss in yourself can be difficult, and taking steps to address hearing loss can be even harder. Many individuals with hearing loss delay treatment 7-10 years and are often not sure how to seek assistance. With the right steps, creating a treatment plan can be simple.
Don’t Wait – Have Your Hearing Assessed
Once you start to notice signs of hearing loss, the first step is to obtain a hearing assessment. You can do this by contacting a local hearing health professional or obtaining a referral from your primary care physician.
During the hearing assessment, the clinician will determine your lifestyle and communication needs as well as the type and degree of hearing loss present. If a medical condition is identified a referral will be made to the appropriate health professional.
Hearing Aid Selection & Fitting
If hearing aids are recommended, the clinician will work with you to find the right product that will meet your hearing and lifestyle needs. A trial period with the chosen hearing aid is an important part of the process, as it provides you time to adjust to the hearing aids so you are able to assess the benefit accurately. It can sometimes take multiple visits to the clinic to have the hearing aids adjusted. It is important to establish a trusted relationship with your hearing health professional as hearing aids require ongoing maintenance and at a minimum should be checked annually.
NexGen Hearing offers free hearing tests and hearing aid consultations, hearing aid fittings, leasing options and sales. Book an appointment at one of our 45+ clinics in the BC Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island by clicking here or calling 1-877-606-6671
Natural Pain Relief
Do you know that lack of stability and balance accounts for a large portion of foot, leg and back pain issues? Today, wellness consumers want products to enhance their quality of life and are asking for natural, safe solutions for more energy, pain relief and enhanced mobility. VoxxLife socks and insoles with HPT optimize the user’s stability and balance at the nervous system level and provide relief from aches and pains with drug-free proven technology. Voxx Human Performance Technology (HPT) is based on 45 Years of research in Neuromuscular Science, Chiropractic Neurology and Reflexology.
Online Health and Wellness Resource
Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® invites you to check out the WellnessHub, your online Health and Wellness resource for Vancouver Island. The WellnessHub features hundreds of local business and practitioners offering services and products. In addition, there are hundreds of health tips, articles and podcasts on a variety of topics. It is easy to search, access and share information. While you are checking out the WellnessHub, don’t forget to subscribe to receive a monthly email letting you know about events and the monthly contest. You can also read the digital version of our five island editons of the newsletter.
Nutritional Needs for Seniors
As you age, your nutritional needs change, which is why it’s important to adjust your diet accordingly to improve the way you think and feel. Eating a diet that is high in fibre and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes promotes a healthy digestive tract, prevents constipation and maintains healthy body weight. Antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries, cabbage, beans, and spinach help to fight against free radicals and boost immune function. Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, walnuts and flaxseeds help improve cognitive function. Following a well-balanced diet is crucial to leading a long, happy and healthy life.
Maintain Health and Wellness
It is important to stay on top of your health and wellness as you age, as various health risks become more prevalent. Taking preventive measures is key to staying healthy and avoiding major health issues. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure seniors have access to additional help with everyday tasks. This can help them avoid feeling overwhelmed and isolated and can also make it much easier for them to maintain healthy routines. Age should not be a barrier to leading a healthy and active lifestyle. With the right help and support, seniors can still enjoy life to its fullest potential.
