Community News
Happy New Year

As the New Year begins, so does income tax season. We are pleased to offer income tax filing assistance for seniors and disabled individuals in our community. Our dedicated volunteers manage this program, providing free income tax filing services for our clients. It’s important to note that our volunteers specialize in processing simple tax returns only. Unfortunately, we are unable to handle business taxes, capital gains, rental property income, or estate taxes. In consideration of the health and safety of our volunteers and clients, tax filing will be conducted remotely via telephone. If you require assistance, please contact our office to be added to the list. The program is scheduled to commence in early March.

Avoid the Winter Blues

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines suggest adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, as well as two sessions of muscle and bone strengthening activities, to achieve physical AND mental health benefits. With winter coming, and the challenges of leaving home, this can seem daunting! Your physiotherapist can tailor an exercise program designed specifically for you to do inside with minimal space (to help avoid the cold weather!), and with equipment everyone has around their home. At 30 minutes per day, the benefits of exercise are countless, while the side effects are minimal.

New Year, New You!

Invest in yourself this year with a Personalized Plan to support your health! Choice Nutrition’s expertise in leveraging alternative and holistic treatment approaches, proven effective for over three decades, aims to enhance, restore, or sustain good health. They’ll identify your unique needs and merge the best of natural and conventional healthcare to maximize your health using: 1) Professional-grade custom formula nutritional supplements. 2) Therapies and Services – Naturopathic Consultations, Integrative Microscopy & Cancer Care, Acupuncture, IV Therapy, Sensitivity Testing, Low Intensity Laser, Heavy Metal Testing, Custom Orthotics, Wellness Detox Room, along with Massage, Reflexology, and Reiki being offered.

Fun Hearing Facts!

Here are some fun facts about how other species hear. *Snakes hear through their jaw bone as well as through a traditional inner ear. In essence, snakes have two distinct hearing mechanisms, which helps them hear and catch prey. *In the hopes of attracting a mate, mice serenade each other with sounds inaudible to humans. *Male mosquitoes hear with thousands of tiny hairs growing on their antennae. Humans can rely on technology to improve their hearing. If you are wondering about your own hearing ability, the first thing to do is to book a hearing test.

A New Year of Care

Has your aging loved one had: a minor or major fall, noticeable weight loss, clutter accumulation in the home, missed appointments or overdue bills? Now is the time to discuss plans and consult with professionals. Being a family caregiver can be stressful. Often, we are balancing care for an aging loved one with the needs of our own children, grandchildren, work, or other commitments. Care needs can be relentless. As you begin a new year, consider how professional in-home care for an aging loved one will improve their quality of life and support you as well.

Breathe in the New Year!

Let 2024 be the year you live your best lung life with these lung health resolutions: 1) Are you or a loved one thinking about quitting or cutting back on smoking? Join the Saskatchewan Quits community at www.SaskQuits.ca for education, peer support, resources, and the chance to win prizes! 2) Stay up to date on your vaccinations. Protect yourself against influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, and RSV. 3) Check your breathing. If you cough, wheeze, experience shortness of breath, or feel chest tightness, ask your healthcare provider about having a spirometry breathing test. 4) Tune in to Lung Saskatchewan’s live and on-demand Lung Life Webinar Series to learn from leading experts at www.LungSask.ca.

Words to Live By

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” – Carl Bard

Seasons Greetings: Tax Benefit Opportunities

“As the year draws to a close, it’s a time to reflect on gratitude and generosity. I wish you joy and cheer this season. Remember, amidst the festivities, there may be untapped opportunities to ensure financial wellness. As a disability tax specialist, I encourage you to explore potential tax benefits available to you. Let this season be not only about celebration but also about securing your financial future. May the holidays bring you comfort, and may the new year shine light on possibilities for a more prosperous tomorrow. Wishing you and your loved ones a season filled with happiness, while keeping your financial well-being in mind.”

Live Your BEST Lung Life!

Inhale. Exhale. This holiday season here are three things to talk to your health provider about to keep you breathing easier. 1) Don’t ignore the snore. If you snore and are tired during the day, you may have sleep apnea, a disease where you stop breathing in your sleep that requires treatment. Ask about a sleep apnea test. 2) Keep up to date on your vaccinations. Prevent influenza, pneumonia, COVID and RSV. 3) Don’t ignore a cough, wheeze, shortness of breath or chest tightness. Ask about a spirometry test. Learn more at www.LungSask.ca.

Curb Holiday Sugar Over-Indulgence

With the holidays right around the corner, here are some tricks to minimize that over-indulgence. Try to keep up with your exercise regime to help your body process the excess sugars and calories and to keep feelings of bloating or indigestion down. Before a party, have a high-fibre snack to decrease the amount of sweets eaten and try to limit yourself to one cocktail and intersperse that with sparkling water. Drink warm lemon water with some added apple cider vinegar to support blood sugar and digestion, and add turmeric and ginger for anti-inflammatory effects. As for your cooking and baking, explore recipes with healthy sugar alternatives.