Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s accounts for 70% of all dementias; usually in people over 65 years of age. Each disease affects particular parts of the brain at different stages and presents differently in each individual. Symptoms to watch for with your loved ones include; memory loss, communication and language difficulties, inability to focus and pay attention, poor reasoning and judgment and changes in visual perception. Quality of life for people affected is greatly increased by having access to specialized services and programs.

Are you having trouble making ends meet and beginning to feel the stress of Christmas approaching? The SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program has, for over 50 years, been making sure local children and youth receive a special gift, and adults and seniors have food in the cupboards over the holidays. Registration for the program begins November 14th. Local residents must apply in person at the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville during business hours. There will also be registration opportunities in Qualicum Beach and Bowser as well. Please visit www.sosd69.com or call 250-248-2093 ext. 229 for more information.

The holiday season is upon us! This year, remember to take care of yourself as you take care of others. Adora Medical Esthetics provides a variety of services such as Botox, Filler, Skin Rejuvenation, medical grade chemical peels, hair removal and much more. Our services are long term, result driven & professional. With the hectic time ahead, take some time out for yourself. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage, hydrating anti-aging facial or a manicure/pedicure- or all of the above. Start the holiday season fresh and relaxed!

Did you know that although hearing loss can be hereditary and a natural result of aging, there are proactive steps you can take to keep your hearing sharp and healthy? Your ears receive sounds, but your brain processes all the wonderful, (and maybe not so wonderful) sounds that you hear. So, keeping your brain healthy can help to keep your hearing healthy too. Puzzles like Sudoku, crosswords, and word searches help to maintain healthy brain tissue and the neural connections necessary for processing sensory information. However, if you suspect that you are suffering from hearing loss, be sure to speak to a hearing professional.

As the seasons change, for some so does their sunny disposition. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), often called “winter blues”, affects about 35% of the Canadian population. The usual symptoms include fatigue, sadness and apathy. There are things you can do to help alleviate these symptoms. Managing stress, especially around the holidays, a healthy diet, exercise and seeking the sun are all important ways to combat SAD! If you’re finding no relief, speak to your health care provider and seek treatment. Life is the gift we receive to be enjoyed.

With the arrival of fall and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season approaching, we can feel overwhelmed with all the extra ‘stuff’ we all need to get done. The added baking, cooking, cleaning, shopping and visiting. As the demands start to add up, having a little help makes the season more enjoyable. By delegating some of the tasks to in-home service and personal care providers, you are allowing more time to enjoy the season with friends and family. We all need help managing the holiday season. There is comfort in knowing you and your loved one are supported.

Normally we do not look for information on a subject until we need it or notice how other people are managing until we are in the same boat. Being informed before we have a need is beneficial to ourselves and to our families and friends. Nanaimo offers many opportunities to educate yourself about what aids and services are available for your health needs. Attending health fairs such as NSSN Seniors Health and Wellness Fair on November 8, is educational and can be a lot of fun. Consider attending events where dozens of health service providers are on hand to give you information and answer your questions.

Did you know that there is a safe, simple and effective method to cosmetically treat the condition of spider veins and some varicose veins? Spider veins are small dilated vessels that usually appear on the legs and face. Spider veins on the face are treated by laser while spider veins on the legs are treated by sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is an injection of a sclerosing solution directly into the vein using a fine needle. Fading of the spider veins is gradual but a 75 – 90% improvement is possible. Sclerotherapy treatments are performed by a LPN, under doctor supervision.

Have you noticed your hair thinning or signs of male pattern baldness? Collagen Activation Therapy may help. The wound healing response from skin needling can stimulate the production of the proteins that are responsible for new hair growth. The induced blood circulation increases nutrients including human growth hormone to your follicles that can reactivate follicles that have become dormant. Ideal candidates include men with male pattern baldness and men or women with thinning hair. It may also help hereditary hair loss known as alopecia. Talk to a professional to see if Collagen Activation Therapy can help you.

Long-term stress can have taxing effects on our health; our hearing health is no exception to this truth. Our hearing relies on tiny sensory hairs in the inner ear to translate sound frequencies into electrical pulses that can then be received and interpreted by our brains. These tiny hairs rely on oxygen from blood circulation to function. When our bodies experience stress, our adrenaline increases to prepare our bodies to act— we breathe faster to divert oxygen to our muscles. This isn’t harmful in the short term, but long-term stress can suppress our bodily systems and lead to a variety of illnesses. Taking deep breaths, exercising, and taking time out of your day to spend time with loved ones can help to reduce stress and guard against the illnesses that result from it.