To start, you will meet with a Hearing Care professional and a thorough history will be taken. An inspection of your ears will take place to confirm good ear health. You will be asked to respond to tones in a sound treated room. The tones tested are specific and range from the low to high frequencies that are important for hearing speech. You will undergo word testing to measure your communication abilities and how you hear speech in quiet and in noisy situations. Results are recorded to guide the Hearing Care Professional in forming a treatment plan if hearing loss is present.
Community News
The Power of Smell
Smell is amazing. It is far more than just a sniff or a whiff of something. Smell is the most primal of all of our senses and is the only one embedded in the limbic brain. The limbic brain is our emotional brain and in the end EVERYTHING boils down to how we FEEL. Our ability to smell has the ability to alter mood and behaviour. Changing how we feel changes behaviour. Instead of striving for a scent free environment, get rid of synthetic scents and toxins. Replace them with the smells of nature to improve mood and motivation. Viva our sense of smell!
Take Care of YOU During the Holidays
The holidays can be a time of happiness and a time of high stress. We stress over meal preparation, finding the perfect gift, and traveling home. It’s important during this season to take some time for ourselves to rest and reflect on the year we have had. Increased stress levels reduce our immune systems, making us more susceptible to colds and flus. Rest, drink lots of water, eat healthy, get exercise, and take care of any aches and pains by seeing your local physiotherapist, massage therapist or chiropractor. You are important so take care of you too. Happy Holidays!
Keeping Busy In the Winter
Winter can be chilly and uninviting. As the days grow short and cold, excursions become tricky in the ice and cold. If there is nothing to do, evenings become long. Take this time to explore new things; read a new author; stretch your mind with a brain game; perhaps you prefer a puzzle; or you can learning an instrument! A home-care service can facilitate you or your loved one staying at home safely. They will get you to errands, help cook a lovely meal or just engage in some good old conversation; whatever is needed
Community Profile – Nanaimo Lifeline
Helping seniors and others since 1987, Nanaimo Lifeline has been providing service to people in the communities of Central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, for over 30 years. Nanaimo Lifeline is a Social Enterprise of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation. Proceeds from Nanaimo Lifeline support the health care needs of our community. Medically at risk individuals and people with disabilities are able to live independently with the help of Lifeline. Family caregivers, friends and neighbours experience improved peace of mind knowing a loved one has access to help 24 hours a day at the push of a button.
Easy Steps to Protect Your Ears and Hearing
Proper ear care will protect your hearing and the effectiveness of your hearing aids. The best way to clean your ears is not to clean them. Your ears are self-cleaning. Cotton swabs and ear candles can damage your ear drum, which can lead to conductive hearing loss. See your hearing healthcare professional if you are experiencing excessive wax buildup. Protect your ears if you work or live in a noisy environment. Your ears are sensitive, and experiencing sounds above 85 decibels can damage your hearing—permanently. Wear protective earmuffs or earplugs if you know you’re going to be exposed to loud noises.
Treatment For Chronic Pain
Patients ask “How Does Prolozone Work?” because they want to explain to others why their chronic pain has improved significantly. Prolozone is a connective tissue injection therapy of collagen producing natural substances and ozone gas which can reconstruct damaged or weakened connective tissue in and around joints. The technique causes repair & tightening of the lax structures, partially torn connective tissue, ligaments and halts the pain/inflammation cycle. This allows for better circulation, increase blood flow carrying nutrition, hydration to the damaged tissues. Prolozone therapy offers a non-surgical, ligament reconstruction option and is a permanent treatment for chronic pain.
Support Locals This Christmas
For more than 50 years, the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program has been creating the magic of Christmas. The program provides a gift for children and youth so there is something special for them under the tree on Christmas morning. Adults receive local grocery store gift cards so they may choose food that is meaningful to them. To support the program, find an SOS Angel Tree in a local business, or attend a local event that benefits the program. Drop off a new, unwrapped gift or monetary donation to the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville or donate online.
Community Profile – The Laundry Fairy
Are you tired of endless laundry? Do you wish your dirty clothes could magically appear washed and folded? The Laundry Fairy can do that for you. Your time is valuable so don’t waste it doing laundry. Simply schedule the Laundry Fairy’s pick-up and drop-off time and they will do your laundry for you. They pick it up, wash, dry and fold it, and then deliver it back to you the next day at your scheduled convenience. FREE pick up and drop off is available in Nanaimo and Lantzville with 24 hour turn around, 7 days a week.
Denture Care When Travelling
You want your smile to look its best no matter where you are, and having an organized plan for denture care can ensure that it will. Choose your meals and beverages carefully, bring along your own ‘denture friendly’ snacks for flights and long drives, pack the right cleaning products and tools, and remember to stick to your daily routine for the best results. Be proactive by taking the time to see your denturist before you travel. He can ensure your denture fits properly and is functioning as it should, which can help you avoid bigger problems while away from home.
Little Things Caregivers Can Do For Seniors
Often in life, the most meaningful moments are the moments spent with those who teach you something, with those who share laughs with you, and with those who support you no matter what. And within those moments, it’s the little things that become the most significant and valuable. Professional caregivers can be there for you, when you need a little extra hand around the house or someone to accompany you on your outings. Caregivers can help with the day-to-day tasks, so you have time to enjoy the little things in life, while remaining safe and independent in your own home.
