While 20/20 vision is a great start, our vision is also related to how well our eyes work together with our brain to process visual information. Many children who suffer with vision problems can go undiagnosed, since learning-related vision disorders may not be revealed through a regular eye exam. Lack of eye movement control, focusing difficulties, poor visual memory, and much more can make learning seem overwhelming. Without fundamental visual skills, children may have more difficulty with reading, writing, and comprehension at school. A developmental optometrist diagnoses and provides treatment options for learning-related vision disorders.
Community News
Soup up Your Gut
Our intestines are responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from the food and liquids we consume. In order to accomplish this, the gut lining must be semi-permeable. Sometimes this lining is more porous than it should be – a condition called leaky gut – which allows undigested food to enter the bloodstream. This causes inflammation, a potential root cause of most illness and disease including mental illness. One effective way to repair the gut lining (and warm up on a cold winter day) is to drink mineral and nutrient rich bone broth made from organic beef, chicken, or fish bones.
Quit Smoking with Laser Therapy
Is quitting smoking on your ‘New Years Resolution List’? Have you tried just about everything, with little success? Laser Therapy is clinically proven to help to control cravings and withdrawal symptoms. In clinical studies, patients report a noticeable reduction in cravings, and have a higher chance of success in quitting. The benefits of quitting smoking with laser over other interventions include no medications with unpleasant side effects, no unhealthy nicotine in your system in the form of patches, and pleasant side effects of relaxation which are a result of the endorphins released in response to the laser. Start the New Year as a nonsmoker, and making smoking a habit of the past. SmartChoice Laser Centre, SmartChoiceLaser.com
Burnout Relief
When life’s stresses have us burning the candle at both ends, quite often burnout has us looking for a way out, looking for something better… anything to get us out of the hopelessness and emptiness that entraps us. Instead of choosing an expensive leave of absence, a recent client opting for Brainwave Optimization declared: “I like this better because it allows me some integrated burnout relief that supports me in the here and now, helping my brain function better so I make better choices right in the midst of the emotional and physical exhaustion. All I need sometimes is to get away from it all – this does it!” La Loba, LaLobaTraumaRelease.com
Organic vs. Conventional Produce
Did you know that a healthy diet need not be comprised of organic food only? In fact, some organically grown and produced foods confer no greater health benefits than conventionally grown options. How do you decide? A general rule of thumb is to choose organic when it comes to soft or thin-skinned fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and meats. Good conventional choices consist of most thick-skinned foods, and exceptions like kiwi, onions, cauliflower, cabbage, and asparagus. In all cases, frozen and fresh contain comparable nutrient content. When buying organic, look for the “certified organic” seal to ensure authenticity. Sean Miller, CMHA MB and Winnipeg, MBWPG.CMHA.ca
Financial Fitness
Many of us have multiple income streams from side businesses or part-time/seasonal jobs. It’s important that we track multiple income streams properly to ensure we don’t end up with a large bill at tax time. One way to do this is to use a spreadsheet that includes the following categories: Employer, Gross Income, Income Tax, CPP, EI, and Net Income for each stream of income. Total all streams so that you can calculate the total earnings, tax, CPP, and EI deducted so far. Then determine what the actual deductions should be based on the combined income. The Canada Revenue Agency has a Payroll Deductions online calculator that is useful for this (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/bsnss/pdoc-eng.html). A qualified accountant can also help with any questions you might have.
Brian Denysuik, CREDITAID.ca
Communication Tips for Dementia
1. Set a positive mood. Use warm facial expressions and tone of voice to help convey your message and show your feelings of affection.
2. Listen with your ears, eyes, and heart. Be patient in waiting for your loved one’s reply. Watch for nonverbal cues and respond appropriately.
3. Remember the good ol’ days. Reminiscing is a soothing activity. Many people with dementia may not remember what happened 30 minutes ago, but they can clearly recall their lives 30 years earlier.
4. Laugh a little or a lot! Use humour whenever possible. People with dementia tend to retain their social skills and are usually delighted to laugh along with you.
Alevtina (Alia) Tuhari, Reliable Home Care Agency Inc., ReliableHomeCare.ca
Matchmaking Testimonial
“I joined Camelot Introductions and found the love of my life! If it wasn’t for Lianne’s persistence, and her innate ability for matching people, then I would still be floundering. On-line dating was a waste of my time. Camelot was exactly what I was looking for – a professional service dedicated to matching people with similar interests and dreams. Getting married in November – I’ve never been happier! Thanks Lianne!”
~Brian. Camelot Introductions, CamelotIntroductions.com
Leggings for Chronic Illness
If you live with a chronic illness that causes pain, sensitivity, bloating, swelling, or nausea, it’s not always possible to throw on a pair of jeans or slacks. Many types of pants are made with coarse material and have seams that can dig into your skin and waistbands that can press into your stomach.
Leggings and yoga pants can be tight and uncomfortable for some; however, for many others in the chronic illness community, they may be the only types of pants that are bearable some days. Finding the perfect pair of leggings involves the right material, length, shape, thickness, snugness, elasticity… it all depends on what feels best to you. Shelley Harcus, She’s Got Leggs, ShesGotLeggs.com
Medication-Related Falls among Seniors
According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits among Canadian seniors. Between 20% and 30% of adults 65 and older have at least one fall per year. Medications are increasingly being recognized as contributors to falls, and common problematic medications include opioids, sedatives, anti-depressants, cardiac medications, and hypoglycemic agents such as insulin. It is important that seniors and their caregivers are aware of possible side effects of medications, and that correct dosages are given and any negative drug interactions are avoided. A pharmacist can assist in determining how and when to use medications to help avoid injury from falls.Source used: https://www.ismp-canada.org/download/safetyBulletins/2015/ISMPCSB2015-12_Falls.pdf. Care at Home Pharmacy, CareAtHomePharmacy.ca
What to Ask an HVAC Company
Before selecting an HVAC company to work in your home, there are a number of factors you need to take into consideration. Heating, cooling, and hot water systems are critical for your family’s well-being and should be given an appropriate amount of attention. Here are five questions you should ask before you hire someone.
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? How much experience do you have? Can you supply references? Do you offer warranties and guarantees? What do you charge?
4 Seasons Heating, Cooling & Electrical., ServiceMyHome.ca
