As we age, once-easy exercises can become challenging due to changes in mobility, past injuries, or fear of injury. Walking is an excellent choice for seniors, providing various benefits from short store strolls to leisurely park outings. It *enhances mobility, *aids weight management, *boosts mental well-being, *supports heart health, *maintains strength, *fosters social engagement, and *reduces pain. Incorporating walking into daily life is a lifestyle choice that promotes healthy aging. For those concerned about walking alone, a medical alert system offers reassurance, ensuring help is available at the push of a button. Start your walking journey today for a healthier body, mind, and spirit.
Community News
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 Centre on Nutrition and Aging reports that over 5.5 million seniors are 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.
Focus on What You Want
When someone heads towards their goals rather than trying to move away or reduce something, the outcome is more positively directed. By looking for something rewarding, success has a better chance of taking place. It also helps to focus on what you want to bring into being, as opposed to dwelling on what you don’t want anymore. A positive attitude is very powerful. When you have a positive attitude, negative thoughts are much less likely to come to mind. Positive thinking can help control stress and improve health.
Proper Nutrition for Seniors
March is National Nutrition Month®. Healthy eating looks different for everyone. As we age, proper nutrition is crucial to help prevent chronic diseases, maintain a healthy weight, and enhance overall well-being. Nutrient-rich foods for seniors include *Protein: lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Seniors require more protein to maintain muscle mass. *Calcium and Vitamin D: dairy products, broccoli, kale, almonds, and fatty fish. Calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health. *Fibre: Fibre aids digestion, prevents constipation, and regulates blood sugar levels. *Water: Staying hydrated is crucial for seniors, especially those who take medications.
Profile: Pacific Pearl Dental Dental Hygiene Clinic
Pacific Pearl Dental Hygiene Clinic Inc. was founded in Ladysmith in 2019 by Ricki Weissbach. Fast forward to 2022, when she met her now-business partner, Natalie Cuthbert. It wasn’t long before they realized that they shared a passion for dental hygiene and entrepreneurship. These two women are very excited to be expanding the Pacific Pearl business, with a second office now open in Nanaimo. With 25 years of experience between Ricki and Natalie, they both strive to make their clients feel welcome and cared for. These women make dental hygiene comfortable, easily accessible, and provide a service with minimal wait times.
March is Social Work Month!
Social workers play a critical role in the health of our community by supporting individuals, groups, and families. Their goal is to ensure their clients have housing, know about benefits and resource programs they can access, and help facilitate housing and employment opportunities. For seniors, social workers work to reduce social isolation, counsel family members and friends about how to support aging loved ones, and ensure their clients receive the medical services they need. Social workers deserve a big pat on the back for all they do to support the most vulnerable members of our community.
Gaming vs Gambling
Once upon a time, gaming and gambling were separate forms of entertainment, vying for their respective market share. In today’s world, now that people of all ages have wide-ranging access to the internet and smartphones, these industries have become powerhouses within their respective worlds. How people gamble has changed. How our youth play video games has changed as well: Never-ending self-contained online worlds, rife with micro-transactions fuel increased spending to simply keep up in the game. If this all sounds foreign to you, please connect with an under-40 gaming enthusiast near you. Gaming and gambling have changed. Now, there is even more reason to make sure we are doing both responsibly.
Wellness Expo – March 23 – FREE to Attend
Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® is thrilled to present the 4th Annual Wellness Expo on March 23 at Beban Park Social Centre in Nanaimo. The Expo is FREE to attend. It will be a day to explore various approaches to health, nutrition, fitness, and overall well-being. Explore, transform, escape, and shop! You will find great fashion and products for your home that all contribute to feeling good. Check the Wellness Expo website for a list of exhibitors, health talks, and door prizes.
Do You Need Help to ‘Spring Forward’?
Are there emotions holding back the ‘Spring in Your Step’? Spring is here to bring you joy! Are your negative emotions stopping you from being joyful? The dictionary defines joy as a noun: “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” Some say that joy comes when you make peace with who you are, why you are, and how you are. Book a body-code session to release those unwanted negative emotions that are keeping you from being your best self. I can help put a spring back in your step. Are you searching for wellness talk topics? Let’s chat!
Spring Clean the Medicine Cabinet
Here are a few tips to clean up your medicine cabinet and other places where medication and vitamins are stored: Gather all medications in one place. Check the expiration date of each item. Set aside any medications that you no longer take or that have expired. Set aside any medication that is not in its original container or whose appearance, consistency, or odour has changed. Take all discarded medications and vitamins to your pharmacist for safe and ecological disposal. Do not throw them into the waste basket, sink, or toilet. The Medicine Shoppe can help with the cleanup process and disposal.
Discover the Health Benefits of Volunteering
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be difficult to carve out time to volunteer. Giving back to the community and supporting others can have greater health benefits than we realize. Volunteering helps keep you mentally stimulated while reducing stress, combating depression, and providing a sense of purpose. It can also help improve your social life and create meaningful connections. SOS has a variety of volunteer opportunities available, including helping at the thrift shop, driving residents to medical appointments, and being a mentor for local youth. Contact SOS today to find a role that fits your life and interests.
