Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine
Health
Okanagan Seniors
2015
MAGAZINE
Embracing the Positive Realities of Aging P. 26
POWERS OF ATTORNEY P. 17
A Place to Call Home
Complimentary
P. 24
Healthy Hydration for Seniors P. 28
Dizziness and Vertigo: Is There Help? P. 9
Proudly published by
LMR Publishing, Vernon BC
info@ohwmagazine.com
www.ohwmagazine.com
2013
2014
2015
Empowering readers to be the best they can be! OKANAGAN HEALTH & WELLNESS MAGAZINE OKANAGAN SENIORS HEALTH MAGAZINE OKANAGAN PET HEALTH MAGAZINE For information on advertising or providing editorial please contact Leanne Christie at 250-503-7472
contents Seniors 2015 Volume 1 Issue 1
NATURAL HEALTH 8 The Inseparable Relationship between Bone Health and Mobility Did you know that your bones can reinforce and strengthen themselves in reaction to forces placed upon them? 9 Dizziness and Vertigo: Is There Help? It has been reported that 80 percent of people over 65 have experienced dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance.
Embracing the Positive Realities of Aging Page 26
10 Energy Medicine for Good Health! Improve your health and control pain with microcurrent energy.
FITNESS 12 Younger Next Year Slow the aging process and become physically and mentally more vibrant. 14 Celebrating an Active Lifestyle in Penticton The Penticton Adventurers Club offers physical and social activities to a membership of over 130.
19 Age Friendly Environments for Older Adults What do seniors need from their physical and social environments?
WELLNESS
20 Downsize Your Debt A must-read with practical debt management advice for retirees, seniors, and baby boomers.
16 Better at Home This initiative is enabling Okanagan seniors to stay connected and avoid isolation.
22 Hearing Loop? What’s That? Even with highly sophisticated hearing aids, people with hearing loss are missing out.
17 Powers of Attorney How to plan for the care and management of your assets in the event of incapacity.
24 A Place to Call Home Senior housing and care options when extra help is required.
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NUTRITION 26 Embracing the Positive Realities of Aging Growing older is inevitable, but we can do it well by taking care of ourselves with sound nutritional choices. 28 Healthy Hydration for Seniors Why drinking enough water is even more important as we grow older. 29 The Senior Sweet Tooth With a natural change in appetite and interest in sweet foods, the modern senior is at greater risk of developing significant diseases.
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From the OHW Team
OHW Magazine
Okanagan’s Own Health & Wellness Magazine
PUBLISHER LMR PUBLISHING Leanne Christie info@ohwmagazine.com EDITOR Dianne Fowlie editor@ohwmagazine.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Jessica Hamilton jessica@ohwmagazine.com ADVERTISING SALES Georgia Wilson 250.938.2314 georgia@ohwmagazine.com Leanne Christie 250.503.7472 info@ohwmagazine.com OHW Magazine published four times a year. All rights reserved. No part of OHW Magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material. The views expressed in OHW Magazine are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher or staff. Although all reasonable attempts are made to ensure accuracy, the publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions anywhere in the publication or on the website. OHW Magazine reserves the rights to ads produced for advertisers. Publication Agreement #42490022 Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine is owned and operated by LMR Publishing. Return undeliverable to LMR Publishing, 5816 Tern Place, Vernon, BC V1H 1R2. Phone: 250.503.7472 Email: info@ohwmagazine.com Website: www.ohwmagazine.com Subscription: For your free copy send your mailing address to info@ ohwmagazine.com or visit the website at www.ohwmagazine.com Cover: Celebrating aging. This issue is full of great articles and information from professionals throughout the Okanagan Valley. As we age it is important to remember to celebrate your health, your knowledge and all that has brought you to this wonderful time in your life.
Leanne Christie Owner/Publisher Advertising Sales
Dianne Fowlie Editor
W
elcome to our inaugural edition of Okanagan Health and Wellness for seniors! We are thrilled to devote an entire issue to articles we believe will inform and inspire not only readers in this demographic but also their families and friends. It’s no secret that Canadians are living longer than ever, and the trend continues. According to a new report from Statistics Canada, life expectancy at birth reached a new high of 80.9 years during the period from 2006 to 2008, up 0.2 years from 2005 to 2007. And in 2014, the World Health Organization reported that in Canada, life expectancy went up by five years on average, with men born in 2012 expected to live to an average age of 80 and women expected to reach 84. The good news for those of us living in BC is that life expectancy is highest in our province, where it now stands at 81.4 years. Many factors have contributed to this trend. Among them is a greater awareness of the need to care for our bodies and our minds through physical and social activity. We encourage our readers to continue exploring ways to be engaged in their own health and wellness; to this end, you will find practical, informative, and uplifting topics on every page. As an example, we examine the symbiotic relationship between mobility and bone health: developing and maintaining stronger, thicker bones through specific, weightbearing movement. We also look at
Jessica Hamilton Production Manager
Georgia Wilson Distribution Advertising Sales
identifying and treating dizziness and vertigo, conditions which can lead to imbalance and the potential for a fall. Did you know that the mature body is less sensitive to changes in water volume and body temperature? As a result, our hydration needs change and we cannot rely on thirst alone to determine our fluid requirements. Changing needs may also include public buildings, housing, and transportation. We have these areas covered as well, in articles looking at age-friendly environments and the BC government-funded Better at Home program. This initiative aims to reduce isolation for seniors by providing assistance with practical concerns, enabling them to continue living at home for as long as is safely possible. We also look at housing and care options best suited to your needs, should the time come when remaining in your own home is no longer feasible. This is by no means a complete list of topics, so go ahead and check out the Contents page for more. As always, we owe our heartfelt thanks to our contributors and advertisers, all of whom help make this publication possible. And we thank you, our readers, for your continued support of Okanagan Health and Wellness magazine. We welcome your feedback as we strive to bring you relevant and useful information, so please do get in touch if you have comments or questions. Growing older is an adventure. Embrace the journey!n
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Contributors
Letters to the Editor Dear OHW Magazine, Our 80-year-old dad has been living on his own since our mom died several years ago. He has always been independent and has been able to manage quite well with regular housekeeping help. However, he’s now dealing with some significant health issues that require regular medical appointments, a variety of medication, and a restricted diet. It’s all a bit overwhelming and we’re trying to figure out the best way to deal with these new challenges. Some days he’s adamant that he wants to stay in his own home, but at other times when things aren’t going well, he talks about moving. Where can we find resources to help us sort through the options with him? Christine, Kelowna Thank you for writing, Christine. Your letter is timely as we’ve included in our seniors issue an article that outlines the various housing and care options and resources for seniors as their circumstances change. “A Place to Call Home” looks at home help services that are available to seniors who are able to stay in their own home and also explains the different levels of residential options when that’s no longer possible as more assistance is needed. You will find links to resources and contact information in the article. We hope this information will be a good starting point for your dad and the family to make the decision that’s best for him.
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Chris Alveberg, BSc, LLB, is a partner with the Vernon law firm Nixon Wenger LLP. He represents a wide variety of corporate and individual clients with respect to all matters of business transactions, lending and borrowing, subdivisions and land development, estate planning, residential real estate, and probate matters. Chris is particularly recognized for his knowledge in land development and complex estate planning. For more information about Chris, please visit www. nixonwenger.com. Lee Brinkman has been a part of the team at NexusBC Community Resource Centre since 2007. She is passionate about helping seniors and actively works to market the services that NexusBC provides for seniors, jobseekers, immigrants, and those who are interested in volunteering in the community. NexusBC is a non-profit, charitable organization in downtown Vernon. For more information, visit www.nexusbc.ca. Devon Chinnock, B.Hk, CSEP-CPT, BCAK Practising Member, completed his undergraduate degree in kinesiology and psychology at UBC Okanagan. Devon is the owner and operator of ASAP Fitness and Mobility, based out of Excel Sport and Health in Vernon. His youngest clients are 10-year-old twins and his oldest client is a 76-year-old recovering stroke patient working on her mobility, balance, and strength. Whatever your age or fitness level, Devon wants to see you succeed at your movement, health, and fitness goals.
Shelby Entner, ND, is a sought-after naturopathic physician, speaker, and expert. After receiving her doctorate in 2002, Dr. Entner went on to practise in the United States for several years before returning to BC and eventually founding Vero Health (www.verocare. ca) in Vernon. She enjoys a busy practice with her award-winning team of practitioners and staff and loves living in the Okanagan with her kids and husband.
Dalia Gottlieb-Tanaka, PhD, lives in Vernon. She conceived and developed the award-winning Creative Expression Activities Program for seniors with dementia. She continues to deliver presentations and workshops in the US, Canada, Israel, and Europe. Dalia founded the Society for the Arts in Dementia Care in British Columbia and is the moving force behind the annual international conferences and workshops on creative expression, communication, and dementia (CECD). Dalia can be reached at dr.daliagt@gmail.com.
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Contributors Tosha R. Hodgson, BA, MClSc, Aud(C), Registered Audiologist and Hearing Instrument Practitioner, has more than 17 years of clinical experience testing hearing, prescribing, and fitting hearing aids and assistive devices, and providing hearing protection. Tosha opened Rockwell Audiology in Vernon in 2011 to offer patients an unbiased, manufacturerindependent, medical model of hearing health care. She is registered under the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC, is nationally certified in audiology by Speech-Language and Audiology Canada, and is authorized to assess and treat individuals of all ages and special needs populations. Call 250-545-2226 or visit www.rockwellaudiology. ca. Gareth R. Jones, PhD, CSEP-CEP, is an assistant professor within the School of Health and Exercise Sciences at UBCO. His research focuses on the contribution of exercise toward promoting healthy aging, including those living with chronic disease, disability, and frailty. Gareth is also a Certified Exercise Physiologist and an avid cross-country skier.
Lenora Klappe was born and raised in Powell River and moved with her husband to Penticton in 1987. With a degree from the UBC Faculty of Education, she has taught in four different BC locations, working primarily with students with special needs and ESL. Lenora’s amazing adventures in 70 countries include climbing the Inca Trail, the Great Wall, and Lotus Peak in the Huangshan mountains, diving and snorkelling, whitewater kayaking, flying in formation and acrobatically, and skydiving. Allison Ligertwood, BHK, is a recent graduate from the University of British Columbia, with a bachelor degree in Human Kinetics. Allison developed a special interest in the health of the older adult population. She worked closely with Dr. Gareth Jones in the Healthy Exercise and Aging Lab, where they discussed the most recent literature and current views on senior health and related interventions. The article prepared for this issue was written under the supervision of Dr. Jones. Email Allison at allisonligertwood@gmail.com. Raina Dawn Lutz is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist in the Okanagan. The creator of Experience Kombucha, she is known for her obsession with fermentation and teaches workshops all over the Okanagan valley on making your own fermented foods. Raina loves working on weight loss with clients, in her one-to-one consultations in Penticton, Oliver or Osoyoos. She can be found online at LutzNutrition.ca. Donna Mihalcheon is a senior vice president and trustee in bankruptcy with BDO Canada Limited. Donna’s area of expertise is in consumer and commercial insolvency and she leads the Okanagan Thompson practice. Donna’s community activities include serving as a director on the BC Games Society board. You can reach Donna by email at dmihalcheon@bdo.ca or by phone at 250-979-4357 or visit vernondebthelp. ca, kelownadebthelp.ca, kamloops-debt-help.ca, pentictondebthelp.ca or www.bdodebthelp.ca.
Bob Moore established Biohealth Energy Systems Ltd. in Ontario in 1989 with a goal to seek out and provide effective energy medicine devices to pain management and rehabilitation specialists. His expertise is in feedbackcontrolled microcurrent therapy. In 2011 Biohealth secured the Tennant Biomodulator® microcurrent devices for the homecare market to help empower anyone to effectively manage their pain and health right at home. Bob is a Level III certified ski instructor and volunteers for Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports. For further information on “Healing is Voltage” and energy medicine visit www.tennantbiomodulator.ca or www.biohealth.ca. David Moore. Prior to emigrating with his family from London, England, to the Okanagan seven years ago, Dave owned and operated a sound company that installed thousands of hearing loop systems over a 17 year period. He is proud to represent the UK-made Signet range of hearing loop systems, bringing to Canada the benefits of hearing loop technology that all the other G7 countries have enjoyed for years. You can contact Dave by phone 250-540-1172 or email: david@aurislooops.com Please visit www.aurisloops.com for more information. Robina Palmer, BScPT, CAFCI, Vestibular Therapist, is a registered physiotherapist and co-owner of Sun City Physiotherapy with locations in Kelowna and Winfield. She is a graduate of UBC’s School of Rehabilitation Medicine and has studied at the Emery School of Medicine. She lectures regularly to businesses and organizations on ergonomics, back care, vestibular disorders, and injury prevention. In her free time, Robina is usually skiing, mountain biking, hiking, on a backcountry adventure, or shoe shopping. You can reach Robina by email: rpalmer@suncityphysiotherapy. com or for more information please visit www. suncityphysiotherapy.com. Heather Stanton has a Bachelor of Physical Education degree from UBC and is a BCRPA registered trainer in personal training, weight training, older adults, osteofit, group fitness, and aqua fitness. She owns ProActive Fitness in Salmon Arm and specializes in the 50+ population and exercise therapy. Heather has 30 years of experience working with seniors, from the frail to competitive athletes. Email Heather at info@proactivefitness.ca or call 250-832-3200.
DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A STORY? Are you a health professional who’s interested in contributing to Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine? If so contact us at info@ohwmagazine.com www.ohwmagazine.com
inspiring readers to look and feel their best Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine
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Your Questions Answered
Local experts answer our readers’ questions...
Q
As I get older, I want to make sure my feet and ankles stay strong and healthy to help me with balance. Can you suggest any exercises to get me started?
M
ost people spend a lot of time on their feet. According to Statistics Canada, the average man walks 9,500 steps a day, the average woman 8,400. This daily average lowers by about 1,500 steps a day at ages 60 to 79 years. With this decrease in activity may come a risk for health challenges. Not only are we generally less active as we age, our reflexes and co-ordination tend to slow and we lose muscle mass and strength. Health problems such as arthritis and stroke, as well as medications, can affect our balance and energy levels. Can you recall your most recent reason for passing up an exercise opportunity?
night, or, if you spend time watching TV, for an entire commercial break. Try it for a week and share your progress with me. I’d love to hear about your successes!
Even light activity can increase your chances for prolonged health and speedy recoveries. Have a seat in your favourite armchair and put your feet up—literally—and you can begin to improve balance and develop stronger and more flexible arches, ankles, and toes. Give your feet and ankles some love with this easy exercise.
5. Keep your ankles flexed and curl your toes over, clenching them up. The trick is not to straighten your ankle—it needs to stay flexed.
Curl and Spread the Toes Do this exercise before bed each www.ohwmagazine.com
a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being no work and 10 being very difficult, try maintaining effort to a 6. When you are tired and want a break, lower your leg(s) and relax. n
1. Sit in a chair with one or both legs extended in front, off the floor 2. Straighten your knee(s) if you can 3. Use your foot and ankle strength to pull your toes back (flex) 4. Spread your toes. You may not have much (or any) space between the toes, but it will slowly improve if you concentrate and keep trying
Hold each position for a few breaths and continue to switch back and forth between curling and spreading the toes. Your feet might feel cramped when you curl the toes; this is good because it means you are working hard, but you could ease off a bit. On
Wendy Goudie, owner of Get Bent, created the chair yoga program in 2004 and provides training courses and guest lectures for retirement facilities, seniors groups, and health care workers. Get Bent offers chair yoga classes throughout the week at retirement homes and in their home studio in the Cannery Trade Centre. Contact Get Bent at 250-462-1025 or www.GetBentRec.com.
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Natural Health
The Inseparable Relationship between Bone Health and Mobility Develop and maintain stronger, thicker bones through weight-bearing movement. By Devon Chinnock, B.Hk, CSEP-CPT
M
uch like steel beams that hold up the most colossal of buildings, the bones of the human body are a crucial component to hold our bodies upright, and thus allow us to stabilize our body while we move through our world. Bone health and our mobility form a type of symbiosis (a bond where two things mutually depend on each other for survival). When the health and density of our bones are diminished, likewise our ability to move is diminished as well. Conversely, if the frequency of weightbearing movement is diminished, likewise our structural framework will also diminish. While it’s true that there are sometimes things that affect our bone health that we can’t control, this symbiotic relationship does give us a very powerful way to maintain or improve upon our bone health that we can control: moving well, especially in ways that load the bones to stimulate their growth and reinforcement. From a structural point of view, it might sound ideal for our bones to be composed of steel like the framework of a skyscraper. However, the makeup of human bones is superior to that of steel for many reasons. One of the biggest benefits of a person’s current bone composition is the ability
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Like the steel beams in a building, bones are a crucial component to hold our bodies upright
of a bone to independently remodel its structure and to reinforce and strengthen itself in reaction to forces placed upon it. This concept, known as Wolff’s law, is named after 19th-century surgeon and anatomist Julius Wolff. Martini and Nath’s Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology notes that Wolff was the first to document the premise that the bones of a person or animal will adapt to weight loads placed upon them. Martini and Nath’s text further explains that when a weight load is placed on a bone, this stimulates an electrical signal in cells within the bone itself. It is this signal that triggers the process of remodelling the bones to become thicker. The more consistently appropriate weight loads are placed upon bones, the more consistent the thickening of the bone. There are many ways to engage in activities that will stimulate them to become thicker and stronger. One of the most effective and fundamental movement patterns for loading the bones is the humble squat movement pattern. For a person who may have potentially diminished bone and muscle structure, a common squat exercise known as the “sit to stand” may be effective. This exercise is just as the name implies, where an individual sits down then stands up, repeating as many times as is possible. Once an individual can sit down and stand up numerous times without fatigue (or can do so to begin with), moving on to appropriate squat exercises without a chair will help continue bone thickening or maintaining of the progression that has occurred. Just as a skyscraper needs maintenance to stand tall and stable, so too do we need to maintain our structural materials to stand tall and stable. Movement cannot occur without stability. It is therefore of critical importance to a person’s overall ability to move and enjoy the world they live in, to improve upon or maintain their bone health as best they can through proper weight-bearing exercise activities. n
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Natural Health
Dizziness and Vertigo: Is There Help? These troubling symptoms affect balance and may even be incapacitating, so determining the cause can lead to effective treatment. By Robina Palmer, BScPT, CAFCI, Vestibular Therapist
I
t’s a common problem as we age. In fact, it has been reported that 80 percent of people over 65 have experienced dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance. Dizziness is a sensation of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or faintness. Vertigo is the perception of spinning—either the room is spinning around you or you are spinning in the room. Dizziness and vertigo are not diseases, but rather symptoms that can result from a vestibular (inner ear) disorder. However, it can also result from conditions not related to the inner ear, such as cardiovascular or neurological. Our sense of balance is maintained through feedback from three systems in our body: the vestibular system (inner ear), proprioception (receptors in the feet and spine), and vision. Our brain is constantly processing and integrating this information to keep us balanced and upright; therefore,
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loss of function or dysfunction in one of these systems, especially the vestibular system, can cause imbalance, dizziness, and vertigo. Common vestibular disorders include Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), viral infections of the inner ear (labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis), Meniere’s, and injury to the inner ear caused by head trauma
(inner ear concussion). BPPV accounts for 50 percent of reported dizziness and is the most common cause of vertigo. Within our inner ear, we have tiny calcium carbonate crystals called otoconia that are attached to a specific structure. Vertigo and dizziness occurs when one of these crystals breaks free and migrates toward sensory hair cells
Robina Palmer B.Sc.PT, CAFCI, Vestibular Therapist Dizziness | Vertigo | Balance Disorders Manual Therapy | Acupuncture | Sports Therapy
www.suncityphysiotherapy.com Downtown Kelowna 1468 St. Paul Street 250-861-8056
Glenmore 202-437 Glenmore Road 250-762-6313
Winfield/Lake Country 40-9522 Main Street 250-766-2544
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Natural Health that are responsible for relaying head movements to the brain. The presence of the crystal near these hair cells produces an exaggerated or even false message of movement to the brain, thus giving us the sensation of spinning—what we call vertigo. There are multiple causes for the crystals to be displaced but, most often, it tends to be a spontaneous occurrence. It just happens. Other causes can include trauma (fall, hit to the head, whiplash), age, and extreme changes in barometric pressure. Most of my patients with BPPV report having episodes of dizziness in certain positions. Most commonly, they are lying flat in bed, rolling over in bed, getting up in the morning, looking up to the ceiling, and bending forward. It can be one or a combination of these positions. They also report that avoiding these positions allows them to function pretty well during the day. Treatment for BPPV is very effective. It consists of repositioning the crystal in the inner ear. First an assessment is performed and, unfortunately, the goal of the assessment is to reproduce the dizziness in order to determine which inner ear (left or right, or both) is affected. Often an involuntary eye movement, called nystagmus, is seen. This eye movement confirms the presence of a loose crystal, and the direction of eye movement will indicate exactly where in the inner ear the crystal is located. Depending on the location, the severity and symptoms may vary between patients. Physiotherapists trained in vestibular rehabilitation therapy will treat BPPV with a series of specific head and body positions which will move the crystal away from the sensitive hair cells. Once the crystal is back in a specific area, away from the hair cells, the vertigo will resolve. Treatment can be as simple as one visit, or a few sessions may be required. There is a 40 percent to 60 percent chance that the vertigo may return at some point in your life. The time span between episodes varies for everyone, but yearly bouts are not uncommon. Although BPPV accounts for a large percentage of vertigo, it is not the only cause. Talk to your doctor or physiotherapist if you think you may have BPPV. n
Energy Medicine for Good Health!
If you feel you’ve run out of pain control avenues, microcurrent energy may be what you’ve been missing. By Bob Moore
W
hen was the last time that you were pain free? When you didn’t have a headache, low back pain or even a joint or muscle ache? According to Statistics Canada, roughly 27 percent of seniors living at home and up to 38 percent of those living in health-care institutions have chronic disabling pain, with rates higher for women than for men. In BC, an estimated 800,000 people live with chronic pain. Officially, I became a senior this year and I’m blessed to be 100 percent pain free and healthy. Not that I have always been that way. I’ve had my share of sports injuries and pain issues but found good manual therapists who kept me mobile and active. Like many of us, I don’t always exercise or eat the most nutritional foods, but I am very
active in skiing, golf, and paddle boarding, which helps keep me in good physical shape. When sports injuries happen, I recover quickly. I’ve been in the pain management business for over 25 years, and have been fortunate to have worked with many pain/health management specialists across North America who understood how to find the cause for pain and health issues, as opposed to treating the symptom. From gentle manual therapies like Matrix Repatterning®, osteopathy and craniosacral therapy to deeper techniques like chiropractic, ART®, structural integration (Rolfing) massage, reflexology, acupuncture, and even homeopathy, they all have their place in the pain management arena. When people ask me how they can control their pain when all
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Natural Health
other avenues have been exhausted, my answer is “energy medicine.” I have trained countless therapists on how to put microcurrent energy into the body to help support their manual skills and accelerate the healing process. The results I’ve witnessed have been amazing. Putting electrons into my body’s wiring infrastructure has allowed me to heal quickly and maintain a pain-free lifestyle. I was introduced to Dr. Jerry Tennant, MD, in 2011 and have had the privilege of working with him on this subject. He has helped me better understand how the body works energetically, and why putting electrons into our bodies can be so beneficial. He simply shows people how our muscles and organs are wired together in parallel circuits, and teaches us to become good electricians of the body, to improve health and control pain. Dr Tennant wrote the book Healing is Voltage™: The Handbook (Amazon) and in it he states, “We are constantly wearing out our cells and have to replace them. We get new cones in our retina and replace the lining of our gut every 2-3 days. We replace our skin every 6 weeks and our liver every eight weeks. Chronic disease occurs when we lose our ability to make new cells that work.” His book discusses how that happens and what to do to correct it. Why is voltage so important in making new cells that work? Simply put, energy is stored in the mitochondria of the cells. In a direct current circuit, minus is an electron donor and positive is an electron stealer. Electrons move from (–) to (+). Generally healthy tissues rest at -35 millivolts of electron donor status. We need voltage and raw materials to make new cells. When we injure ourselves that voltage goes up to -50 millivolts to replace damaged cells. If there is an infection in any other part of the body, the healing voltages are directed to that electron stealer; this leaves the injury deficient in voltage, resulting in a chronic condition of less than -15 millivolts. A dental infection or surgical scar, for example, is an electron stealer and can cut off the electrons flowing through that organ’s acupuncture wiring system. There are many natural ways to put electrons into the body including touching the earth, moving water with your bare feet, drinking alkaline ground water, eating www.ohwmagazine.com
uncooked unprocessed foods, sunshine, touching a person or pet, and exercise. All these create electrons that are stored in the cells of the muscle battery packs. Unfortunately, we don’t always have these electron donors available to us, but we can turn to microcurrent devices, such as those Dr. Tennant uses in his Integrative Health clinic, to support our lifetime requirement for electrons. When discussing pain management and many health issues, Dr. Tennant talks about the “fight or flight” syndrome. Symptoms may include poor sleep, moodiness, poor digestion, and tension. Muscles are tight. Your head is tipped one way, the shoulders and the hips the other. Dr. Tennant’s treatment protocol for these conditions is to stimulate a point on both sides of the neck, putting voltage into the trapezius muscle, the battery pack for the sphenoid bone located in our skull. This therapy helps to reset the sphenoid bone, turning on the parasympathetic nervous system and thus improving sleep and digestion, rebalancing the flexor/extensor muscles and our body’s alignment under the skull. Many clients with chronic pain can realize significant changes after this two-minute therapy, and I do this simple technique several times a week to keep me in balance and sleeping well. There’s a lot to be shared about this subject on energy medicine and how it can be used to maintain good health. To learn more, I recommend Healing is Voltage™ as a good starting point. Further articles and video resources on this subject can be viewed on our website www. tennantbiomodulator.ca. n
Break the cycle of chronic pain!
Tennant Biomodulator®
Personal pain/health management device, providing beneficial “energy medicine” for the entire family!
Call: 250-275-7957 or visit www.tennantbiomodulator.ca www.biohealth.ca Seniors ‘15 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine
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Fitness
Younger Next Year
Whatever your current activity level, you can turn back your biological clock, starting right now! By Heather Stanton
H
ave you read the book Younger Next Year? This book’s premise is that it is possible to slow the aging process and to be physically and mentally more vibrant even into our 70s and 80s! We are very fortunate and have a lot to be thankful for living in the Okanagan. The climate here allows us to engage in a wide variety of outdoor activities in all four seasons. Did you know that we have the most active population in North America? There are many different opportunities in our area for activity: specialty classes, fitness facilities, recreation centres, pools, clubs, groups, teams, trails, and waterways. Most of our neighbourhoods and facilities feel safe. We also have great food sources available for good nutrition and health. Check out what is available and what interests you where you live. Fall is a good time to set some goals and
make a plan. It’s good to do activity at home, but it’s also beneficial to get out and enjoy the social aspects, plus most people will work a little harder and longer with a group. Don’t wait; there are always excuses. Even if you are in pain or waiting for surgery or a joint replacement, you can find an activity that is safe and effective. It is important to contact the right health care or fitness professional to learn what is appropriate and safe for you. Starting Out or Getting Back into It Fill out a PARQ+ form (physical activity readiness questionnaire) to determine if you need a doctor’s clearance before starting an activity program. It is available at the CSEP web page or at most facilities that offer programs. Interior Health is attempting to assist clients to bridge into community programs; in Kelowna the Allied Health Physiotherapy Navigator Service is available at
the Parkinson Recreation Centre five days a week. If you are not in Kelowna, check with your health care professional to get direction. Look for fitness professionals who are trained to instruct the older adult population, someone who understands the changes and needs of the aging body. What worked for you when you were 29 isn’t necessarily safe or effective now! A certified instructor is current with their information, CPR, and first aid and has insurance. If you are starting out with limitations, consult with a kinesiologist for a specialized program. When starting out, begin gradually and try to include all the components of fitness: • Cardio or continuous activity includes walking, riding a bike, recumbent stepper, water running, and the like. Remember the talk test: you should be able
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Fitness
to talk (if not, it’s too hard). Work up to 10 minutes or more. • Resistance training offers something for your muscles. Start with bands, light weights, or even tin cans. Make sure you are working on your posture while you do your exercises, looking up in line with the horizon. • Balance activity should always be included. To be safe, try it in the kitchen or by a chair, hands hovering, so you’re working on your balance and not hanging on for dear life! Then try and lift a leg and alternate in different positions. Use your other foot as a kick stand if you have trouble lifting a leg right off the ground. • Gentle stretches every day help to reduce stiffness. Focus on the stretches that help with posture. Work towards doing something every day; remember, motion is lotion. Pick a time of day that works for your body and your energy level. It really does help to find a program where you can learn the right exercises and technique or find that personal trainer to motivate and help you get the most of your workout efforts. Moderately Active Good for you! Health Canada doesn’t cut you any slack as you get older! The recommendations are at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity every week, divided in at least 10-minute segments or more, plus muscle and bone strengthening at least two times a week. Consider making your resistance training functional to keep you trained for life and any other activities you enjoy—try standing pushing, pulling, squatting, stepping. Balancing can be made a little more challenging by incorporating both static (holding) and dynamic (moving) exercises. Consider preseason conditioning programs for your activities like golf, paddling, and skiing to prevent injuries and improve your performance. It’s a good idea to do cross-training, which is mixing up your activities to use different muscles, increase variety and motivation, and prevent overuse injuries. Very Active and/or Competitive Excellent! Check the above and ensure good muscle balance around joints, making a special focus on core muscles and hip and shoulder www.ohwmagazine.com
cuff. Make sure you are building in time for recovery including stretching, appropriate rest between workouts, active rest, massage, foam roller, nutrition, and sleep. Look at creating a periodization schedule, which is having a general plan for the year and changing your exercise prescription to meet your goals, maximize your efforts, prevent injury, and stay motivated. As an incentive, your plan may be to prepare for your recreational sport or upcoming holiday!
Some of my favourite resources: • Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley & Henry S Lodge • International Council on Active Aging www.icaa.cc • Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology www.csep.ca • BC Seniors Guide – Province of British Columbia www2.gov. bc.ca. n
The ultimate neuroprotective anti-aging nutrient BioPQQ Pyrroloquinoline quinone Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a recently discovered vitamin-like compound with antioxidant and B-vitamin-like activity that has a wide range of benefits for brain and body function. Clinical studies in humans have shown that PQQ enhances short-term memory and attention, improves energy metabolism, and reduces markers of inflammation, as well as improving general feelings of well-being. PQQ is known to influence multiple cellular pathways, including the production of nerve growth factor (NGF). Like CoQ10, PQQ has diverse benefits for mitochondrial function. It has been shown to attenuate mitochondrial oxidative stress as well as stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key factor in the development of numerous health conditions, especially those typically related to aging. PQQ not only supports cellular energy, but has neuroprotective properties. It protects cognitive health by promoting the recovery of damaged nerves, protecting neurons against oxidative damage and toxicity (including glutamate-induced toxicity), and helping combat the degenerative changes common to many neurodegenerative diseases. BioPQQ is created using a patented natural fermentation process that results in a highly absorbable PQQ disodium salt. BioPQQ is the type of PQQ used in successful human clinical trials. BioPQQ is an innovative way to support energy levels, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function, as well as protect against age-related cognitive decline. Welcome to Whole Foods Market! Locally owned and operated for over 30 years, Penticton Whole Foods Market is proud to be one of Canada’s leading natural and organic grocers. At Whole Foods Market we offer a wide range of natural and organic supplements, body care, and grocery items, including locally grown organic produce, freshly baked artisan breads, organic meat and dairy products, and many of the hard-to-find items required for alternative diets. Our Wheatgrass Cafe offers a full selection of freshly prepared meals, snacks and smoothies. For those dining in, we have indoor and outdoor seating and offer free wireless internet. Visit our beautiful new store to tempt your taste buds, boost your health and meet our team – who will be delighted to share their passion and knowledge of organic and natural products.
Whole Foods Market 103 – 1770 Main St, Penticton, BC PH 250-493-2855 | Fax 250-493-2822
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Fitness
Celebrating an Active Lifestyle in Penticton This fun-loving group of seniors finds adventure at every turn.
By Lenora Klappe
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he Penticton Adventurers Club (PAC) has been in existence for over twenty years, and some of its charter members are still active participants. At present the club boasts over 130 members ranging in age from 55 to 96. Meetings take place at 7:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the South Main Drop In Centre. The agenda includes a description of upcoming events and adventures. Membership is $20.00 per year. Newcomers may attend two functions before being expected to join. The club offers numerous and varied activities. Monthly scheduled events include many choices, both physical and social. At times spontaneous events are also offered, including snowshoeing, kayaking, biking, or a field trip to a place of interest. People trying these activities for the first time in their lives find it is comfortable to be around non-judgmental and helpful facilitators. Their encouragement and assistance is immeasurable, often leading to the discovery of new
interests and passions. On Wednesdays we offer rambles, which are hikes or walks of two hours’ duration over mostly level terrain. These short treks are a great way for people to get some fresh air, exercise,
At times spontaneous events are also offered, including snowshoeing, kayaking, biking, or a field trip to a place of interest. and conversation without a huge time or effort commitment. Often these hikes are along the KVR or other well defined paths. Easy hikes are the next step up the activity ladder. They are a bit longer with more varied terrain, on trails such as the Blind Mice, Mahoney Lake or
the lower trails at the Skaha Bluffs. Moderate hikes are up to five hours long and cover a greater distance and elevation gain. These treks take hikers well into the forests and up the mountains at Nkwala, Blind Mice, Mahoney Lake, Skaha Bluffs, and the Carmi area. Strenuous hikes are for avid hikers and are often up to six hours long with significant elevation gain, some uneven footing sections and, of course, a much longer distance. Hikers are expected to arrive prepared, wearing appropriate clothing and carrying food, water, and first aid equipment. Poles are recommended. After each hike, a write-up is sent to all members of the club. The writeup includes a GPS tract of the hike, pictures, and a humorous account of the adventure. For those who did not go on the hike, just reading of the fun others had encourages them to think about joining in on the next hike or walk. Members who do not want to walk or hike may enjoy bocce in the summer
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Fitness
at Lakawana Park and bowling during the winter. These are fun activities and great skill at either game is not a requirement. For the social aspect of the club, there are wiener roasts, picnics, pot lucks, restaurant dine-outs, and a Christmas party. These activities offer an opportunity to visit and enjoy a meal with a group of spirited seniors. Many discussions lead to the discoveries of shared backgrounds. And as a first for us, this year we even entered a float in the Peachfest parade. Annual events include a three-day out-of-town excursion. In the past, the club has travelled to Hope, Radium, Sicamous, and across the US border. This year’s adventure was to Nelson, to hike the trails in that area. The drive there was hampered by smoke as the Washington fire was heading north. At a visit to the tourist information centre, we learned that, due to the wind patterns, Nelson is often clear of smoke and fog when neighbouring cities are affected. We also enjoyed a hugely successful day at Agur Lake, a camp for persons with disabilities, located just outside of Summerland. The participants were absolutely thrilled to be riding in a noisy, uncomfortable school bus over
gravel roads. This inspired the telling of many stories (exaggerations?) of riding to school by bus over 50 years ago . . . or walking uphill in a snow storm! A barbecue topped off the day. This is yet another marvellous way to contribute, to exercise, and to bond with fellow members. Often we have guest speakers, such as a chiropractor, a naturopathic doctor, a foot expert, and a fitness clothing representative. These guests are able to discuss health and comfort. Also, just by discussing these issues, it becomes apparent that many people have the same queries about
South Okanagan Seniors Wellness Society • • • •
similar concerns. As well, we have had people representing the hospital fundraising campaign and the topic of organ donation. We also enjoy sharing travel documentaries from our own members. It is a pleasure to belong to an organization that celebrates an active lifestyle for seniors. The camaraderie, friendships, and sharing are the backbone of our club. So if you like to walk, hike, eat, visit, or clear land, check out www. pentictonadventurersclub.ca or write me at lklappe@hotmail.com. n
330 Ellis Street (PDCRS Office) Penticton BC V2A 4L7 Ph: 250 487-7455 TF: 1-877-364-2345 seniorswellnesssociety.com
Information and Referral Services Friendly Visiting / Tele-Friend program Elder Abuse Awareness & Prevention Information Volunteer Opportunities
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Wellness
Better at Home This ground-breaking initiative, which includes transportation assistance, helps Okanagan seniors stay connected as they continue to live in their own homes. By Lee Brinkman
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osing the ability to drive is a reality faced by many seniors today. And without friends or family nearby to help, many seniors end up relying on taxis or the bus, if they can afford taxi fare or be able to access a bus stop. In communities throughout the Okanagan, this very real situation is becoming increasingly common. Thankfully one small community program is making a big difference. The Better at Home program is a ground-breaking initiative that helps seniors with simple tasks so that they can continue to live independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities. It is in 67 BC communities including Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Osoyoos, and outlying areas. “Of all the services we provide through the Better at Home program, the biggest request by far is for transportation,” says Lisa Roberts, program coordinator with NexusBC Community Resource Centre, who delivers the program in the North Okanagan. “Not being able to go anywhere you want, whenever you want, can feel like a prison sentence to many seniors,” says Roberts. “Better at Home is working hard to reduce isolation.” In communities like Vernon and Coldstream where nearly 8,000 people are age 70 and older, delivering services tailored to an aging population will likely involve more financial and human resources. “Volunteer drivers are the heart and soul of the transportation service that Better at Home delivers,” says Roberts. She reports that the volunteers they
Jean Miller is happy to have Better At Home volunteer driver Michelle help her with transportation to appointments and for groceries. currently have are indeed filling a great need, but having more volunteer drivers in the program would result in even more seniors being helped locally. Those willing to drive a senior for even one hour a month can make a profound difference to someone who might be experiencing isolation and loneliness. “Our volunteer drivers are making a huge impact, and we hope they know it. Without them, this would not be possible.” The Better at Home Program is dependent on funding from the
Government of British Columbia through United Way of the Lower Mainland, and by private donations. Additional services provided may include light housekeeping, minor home repair, yard work, snow shoveling, friendly visiting, and grocery shopping. Fees for clients of the program are priced on a sliding scale according to income. To find a Better at Home program in your community, visit www. betterathome.ca or contact your local seniors or community centre. n
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Wellness
Powers of Attorney
Changes to an Old Favourite—and Not Just for Seniors
By Chris Alveberg, BSc, LLB
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o you know what would happen to your home, financial affairs, and other property (for example, your finances, real estate, business) in the event that you suddenly suffered an accident (whether at work or otherwise) or illness (such as a stroke)? Who would manage your property and financial affairs? Nobody, not even a spouse, has automatic legal authority over an adult’s financial or legal affairs, even if you become incapable. At some point in most people’s lives, they turn their mind to the care and management of their assets in the event, through accident, injury or advancing years, they are no longer mentally capable of managing their day-to-day financial affairs or require third-party support to look after them. Unfortunately, most commonly these considerations only occur as people advance in years and experience family, friends, or acquaintances who lose their ability to manage their financial affairs or to care for themselves without aid. Because of the length of time and cost involved if you have not planned for incapacity, a review of the options available is essential at any age.
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Powers of Attorney A Power of Attorney allows a person (the Donor) to appoint another person or a trust company as his or her attorney. The Power of Attorney can be prepared in any number of ways. For example: (a) the Donor could state that there are no restrictions on the authority of the Attorney, which would result in the Attorney having full discretion and decision-making authority over the Donor’s legal matters and assets (e.g., real estate, financial and business affairs); (b) alternatively, the Donor could prepare the Power of Attorney so that the authority of the Attorney is restricted or limited to a specific task or role (e.g., selling certain real estate for a specific period of time). Since there is no formal supervision of the Attorney, it is critical that the Donor have the utmost trust and confidence in the person they appoint as their Attorney. The Donor could appoint more than one person to be their co-Attorneys, but in such case, appropriate wording should be inserted to address how the co-Attorneys are required to make decisions and what
happens if one of the co-Attorneys dies or themselves becomes incapable. If the Donor wants the Power of Attorney to continue or “endure” even after they later become mentally incapable (which is usually the case), then certain provisions must be included in the Power of Attorney. Otherwise, once the Donor becomes mentally incapable the Power of Attorney has no effect. In addition, if the Donor wants the Power of Attorney to be effective so that the Attorney could use it to deal with the Donor’s real estate for more than three years after the Power of Attorney is signed then certain special wording must be included in the Power of Attorney. The Power of Attorney must also be prepared and signed in a certain format to enable the Attorney to use it in dealings with the Land Title Office. Finally, in a situation where the Attorney may require a transfer of an interest in real estate from the Donor to themselves (e.g., where a husband/ Attorney needs to have real estate (which is currently registered in the name of the wife/Donor) in his name so that he can mortgage it for business purposes), the Attorney will not be able
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Wellness to do so unless the Power of Attorney has express wording allowing that to occur. The most common and unfortunate situation which occurs where a husband and wife have not planned for incapacity is where the family home is owned jointly and one of the spouses becomes mentally incapable. In that situation, the only alternative for the capable spouse if he or she wants to sell the family home is for the capable spouse to apply to Court for the Court to appoint them as the Committee of the incapable spouse. However, the Court application and procedure to be appointed as Committee of someone is very time consuming, is expensive, involves the Public Trustee, requires notification to next of kin, generally requires the Committee to post a bond for the value of the patient’s estate, etc. Recent Changes to the Power of Attorney Law On September 1, 2011, changes to the Power of Attorney law came into effect in British Columbia. However, if your existing document was validly made under the previous provisions, it should still be valid, as existing Powers of Attorney were grandfathered under the new provisions. Even though pre-existing Powers of Attorney may still be valid, when your appointed Attorney acts as your Attorney they will be governed by the new provisions and will have different powers and limitations. If you do not want those particular changes then you may have to revoke your existing Power of Attorney and make a new one on different terms. Some of the most important changes include a restriction on how your Attorney can invest your property unless the Power of Attorney specifically provides otherwise. In addition, your Attorney will not be able to be paid for their duties as Attorney, unless your Power of Attorney specifies a rate or amount of compensation. If there is no mention of such compensation, your Attorney cannot be paid even if they are spending significant time year after year looking after your affairs. If you want your Attorney to have the ability to delegate certain of their powers (for example, preparing your income tax returns), under the new provisions you must specifically state
that your Attorney has to ability to delegate. Finally, under the new provisions your Attorney may make gifts, loans, and charitable donations that you would have made, but only up to a maximum of $5,000 and only if you will have sufficient property left over to meet your needs (and the needs of anyone you are supporting). As a result, if you want your Attorney
It is critical for individuals, regardless of their age, to also plan for incapacity. to be able to make more generous gifts (including to immediate family members and certain charities) then you will have to specify that in a new Power of Attorney. Since there were many changes to the Power of Attorney law, it is a good idea to have a lawyer review your existing Power(s) of Attorney to confirm that they are still valid and reflect your current instructions. You should also be aware that if you decide to change the people that you have appointed as your Attorney, the new provisions require you to give written notice to each Attorney of the cancellation of
the existing Power of Attorney. Your Attorney cannot make medical or health care decisions for you. For these decisions, you will need to consider preparing a Representation Agreement. The Representation Agreement Act allows you to appoint someone as your legal representative to handle your personal care, medical and health care decisions if you are unable to make them on your own. We will discuss Representation Agreements, and incapacity planning for health, medical and personal care, in a future article. Summary As with preparing your Will and planning your estate including the succession of your business, it is critical for individuals, regardless of their age, to also plan for incapacity. Failing to do so only leaves your family with added expense, delays, uncertainty, and very limited options. There are a number of other tools that should all form part of incapacity planning including Bank forms of Powers of Attorney, joint tenancies (including joint bank accounts), Representation Agreements, advance directives, inter vivos trusts and nominations of committees. Like most legal matters, each person and the nature of their assets and wishes are different and each person should consult their own lawyer to consider which incapacity planning tools are best for them. n
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Wellness
Age-Friendly Environments for Older Adults As we seek to maintain active and involved lives, what do we wish for?
By Dalia Gottlieb-Tanaka, PhD ears of training in architecture prepared me to listen to older clients and explore together with them their changing physical and emotional needs as they prepared to redesign their dwellings. I learned about the changes that take place in the body as we get older. I understood, theoretically, that there were physical barriers that would require some adjustments to create a livable, healthy and safe environment for older adults. What I was not prepared for, mentally, was that one day I would be my own client. I kept asking: was I really already there? I know, through my own experiences, that my clients knew what was best for them, as I do now. However, it has taken longer for this life change to build enough momentum to enter into the public’s awareness. I first heard the term Friendly Environments about 40 years ago, when I was in my twenties, and the term Age-Friendly Communities for Seniors about 10 years ago. As I grew older, my intellectual understanding of
Y
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what getting older meant turned into a personal journey of discovery. So what do we need generally from our physical and social environments? The World Health Organization (WHO) came up with ideas from a survey on what seniors want. According to the survey, seniors want secure buildings, pleasant and accessible outdoor spaces, public transportation and affordable housing. In a more personal way, they want social inclusion and respect, opportunities for employment, support from the community and health services geared to older people’s needs. The survey revealed that seniors want to participate in leisure, social, cultural and spiritual activities with people of all ages and cultures. Those findings cover a full range of how seniors would like to see their world improved. We live longer and healthier and we seek to live interesting and rich lives. To accommodate the shift in living longer and achieving a better quality of life, municipalities around BC began making plans to become
age-friendly communities: towns such as Vernon, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and New Westminster. Leaders held town meetings, where senior citizens were asked to express their ideas about what would improve the quality of life where they lived. I do not include care facilities in this article; I’ll only discuss my own experiences as a baby boomer living in several locations. Here are some suggestions using the indoors, outdoors, social encounters and seniors’ activities. For example, in one of my dwellings, I started to prepare for the time when mobility should become a concern. To make my environment safer and more convenient, I removed a bathtub and converted it to a larger shower that allows easy access. There were all kinds of wonderful and expensive ideas on the market, but I opted for a simple shower with a built-in low edge on the floor so water would not escape. I installed a shower curtain that’s easy to clean and if I lost my balance, I would fall against fabric and
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Wellness not against a confined glass partition. I also lowered the height of the counters in the bathrooms and kitchen slightly as my height started to shrink. Where possible, I avoided indoor stairs. For improvements in the outdoors, I would like to see benches in parks, shopping malls and main streets, places where shopping is a major activity. A great example that solved this concern is 30th Avenue in downtown Vernon. New benches installed there make my strolls along the main street more pleasant and provide an incentive to leave the apartment and go for walks. A sensitive issue that is not spoken much about is the need for bathroom access, especially as we get older. Anyone who needs to use a bathroom often knows that any outing needs careful planning to be sure of bathroom availability. I am amazed at commercial establishments that do not allow the use of their bathroom facilities. This whole issue needs some serious rethinking on a national level with changes to building codes and town planning. How about changes in the attitudes of drivers as we cross the street, perhaps moving a little more slowly than we used to? Clear and loud instructions everywhere would help as we may lose our hearing. It would be lovely to feel respected and have our opinions and responses taken seriously. We may look older and think differently but life experience offers real benefits that society can profit from. When it comes to social activities, I would like to see an activity centre nearby that is open to all ages, with activity programs that allow interaction across all ages with separate senior programs as well. A centre like this needs to be designed architecturally and reflect the improvements that seniors preferred in the WHO survey. A good starting point is the recreation complex in West Vancouver. The site includes a seniors’ activity centre, which is one of the best in Canada, adjacent to a large and impressive public recreation centre; it is humming with activity. However, the seniors’ activity building appears to attract only older people, while the younger generation congregates in their relatively new section of the complex. Although the architect was aware of the need to make the complex accessible to all, the philosophical approach of keeping services separate needs to be changed to encourage integration and collaboration. Still, a balance between separate and common activities in shared space needs to be addressed. Although the WHO survey found an expressed desire for interaction between older adults and younger people, I find there is still plenty of resistance to change within the very old population and local authorities, especially in smaller towns in rural BC. While BC’s provincial government is making efforts “to become more accessible and inclusive for older people” and offers ways to make our communities more age-friendly, the changes are slow to come and we need to speak up to make them happen where they count. For more information check BC Seniors’ Guide or their website: www.seniorsbc.ca/agefriendly n
Downsize Your Debt
Debt management advice for retirees, seniors and boomers.
By Donna Mihalcheon
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anadians are carrying record debt. Statistics show debt among the senior population (those aged 65 plus) jumped 40 percent between 2012 and 2015. The highest insolvency and bankruptcy rate increases in the country are also among our senior population. Seniors are not the only aging population seeing increased debt loads. Bankruptcy and insolvency rates among Canada’s baby boomer population are also on the rise. Canadian baby boomers are carrying more debt into retirement or delaying retirement due to debt. There are many contributing factors to this increased debt. Among them: • Investments suffering substantial losses during market downturns • Pensions frozen or even reduced due to pension-fund losses • Savings once thought to support seniors through retirement earning record-low interest • Seniors living on fixed incomes with no capacity to earn more money • Supporting adult children • Medical and healthcare / long-term care costs • Unexpected health concerns, decreased mental fitness • Loss of a spouse or loved one • Family members taking advantage of trusting elders • Telemarketing scams targeting seniors
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Wellness
For boomers, often referred to as the sandwich generation, increased debt can also be the result of caring both for aging parents and adult children. Retiring with debt can be stressful. If you or your parents are approaching retirement, or are already retired and feeling stressed about your financial situation, it is reassuring to know you can get help. Seek the assistance of a licensed professional experienced in helping seniors and retirees deal with their debt. They will work with you to explore all of your options for dealing with debt after retirement, such as filing a consumer proposal that would consolidate your debt, stop the interest charges from accumulating, put a halt to the pesky collection agency calls and allow you to make one manageable payment while protecting your pensions and RRSPs*. Tips to help aging parents avoid debt problems and financial abuse No one likes to see their aging parents lose their physical and mental independence and it can be hard to talk to them about needing help. It is important to pay attention to them and monitor their activity. Here are some tips to help identify when there might be financial concerns, as well as suggestions for helping prevent a financial problem from developing: • Be observant and recognize subtle changes; if you notice a problem in one area (e.g., mobility, memory loss), chances are there might be problems in another one • To help prevent your parents from being taken advantage of financially, know who they see and talk to—such as friends, acquaintances, caregivers and www.ohwmagazine.com
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other individuals in positions of trust Suggest they add themselves to the Do Not Call List (DNCL) to prevent calls from telemarketers Offer to assist with taking care of home repairs, setting up cable and phone services, or major purchases to help protect them against scams Watch to see if mail is regularly opened or if it piles up Take note of websites they may be frequenting, such as online bingo or gambling sites Watch for activity inconsistent with their ability, such as ATM use by a physically impaired person Watch for increased activity on credit cards or withdrawals made from savings accounts or RRSPs in spite of penalties
• Watch for new authorized signers on accounts or changes to account beneficiaries, changes in property title, or a refinanced mortgage • Watch for any changes in Power of Attorney, wills, or trusts • Obtain credit bureau disclosure reports and watch for identity theft or transactions they may have forgotten about or are hiding • Look at loyalty cards for casinos and other possible avenues for spending beyond their means • Make sure caregivers are hired from reputable agencies and that references are checked n *Exceptions do apply
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Wellness
Hearing Loop? What’s That?
Imagine if sound could be broadcast directly into hearing aids without background noise or echo. It can be! By Tosha R. Hodgson, BA, MClSc, Registered Audiologist and David Moore, induction loop consultant
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eople with hearing loss miss out, and it happens every day. Even with highly sophisticated hearing aids, people with hearing loss struggle to hear concerts, performing arts, seminars, religious services, public address announcements, even television. People with hearing loss need more volume, and their brains need more time, to process sound correctly. Hearing aids help but they cannot fix a damaged auditory system. Distance, noise, and echo reduce sound strength and clarity, which can pummel hearing aid wearers into an abyss of confusion, frustration, and isolation.
Imagine not hearing the vows at your loved one’s wedding or the eulogy at your best friend’s funeral. Imagine purchasing season tickets for a theatre only to find out by the second show that you cannot hear the stage actors so you give your tickets away. Imagine not hearing at religious services so you stop attending. Now, imagine if sound could be broadcast directly into hearing aids without background noise or echo. It can be! Induction loop systems can do just that: broadcast sound directly into hearing aids. Also called hearing loops, these systems consist of a
Have You Heard? First-Ever Canadian Hearing Loss Statistics Just Released! By Tosha R. Hodgson, BA, MClSc, Registered Audiologist
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n the past, estimates of hearing loss in Canada have been based on self-reported data, suggesting 4 percent to 5 percent of Canadians have some degree of hearing difficulty. This self-reported data has long been suspected of underestimating the true prevalence of hearing loss in Canada. New evidence reveals that suspicion was warranted. In July 2015, Statistics Canada released their first population-based study of measured hearing threshold data outlining the prevalence of hearing loss. The study tested 2,972 Canadian adults aged 20 to 79 for hearing loss and found: • Over 19 percent of tested adults had measured hearing loss affecting speech understanding.
• Only 3.7 percent self-reported difficulty hearing. • Over 35 percent had highfrequency hearing loss (known to affect perceived clarity of speech). • Only 12 percent of hearing-impaired adults used hearing aids. Overall, the study estimates over 4.6 million adults (one in five) have some degree of measurable hearing loss, and highlights a marked disparity between self-reported and actual hearing loss. They also suggest that a significant number of adults who could benefit from using amplification are not using hearing aids. No one chooses to have hearing loss. Hearing loss does not age discriminate. Overcome it. Talk to your audiologist today. n
Locations with the hearing loop will display this sign
wire that is looped around a room. The ends of the wire are attached to a special audio amplifier which can be connected to a microphone, TV, tablet, music player, computer, stereo, public address system—just about any sound source. The looped area can be as small as a teller window at a bank or as large as a stadium and can be installed inside or outdoors. Hearing devices—hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing aids—must be equipped with a telecoil to work with a hearing loop system. A telecoil is a tiny spindle of wire that picks up sound electromagnetically. Telecoils work with landline telephones, some cell phones, and hearing loop systems. Many hearing aids, and some hearing aid remote controls, come preequipped with telecoils, but not all. Many hearing aids have automatic telecoils to work with telephones but the automatic version does not work with hearing loop systems. Telecoils must be programmed so they can be activated manually by the hearing device wearer, usually by simply pressing a button on their hearing device or remote control. Audiologists and hearing instrument practitioners can do this programming. Why are hearing loop systems so hard to find in Canada? It’s a good question, and one without a very good answer. Hearing loops are routinely found in Europe and Australasia. Recent changes to the disabilities act in the US have prompted more installations. Despite hearing loop technology being successfully used since the early 1970s [1], Canada has been slow to adopt the systems. The good news is that the situation
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Wellness is improving. Ontario has recently made changes to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), which requires businesses with more than 20 employees to improve services for clients with disabilities, and British Columbia has committed to increasing accessibility and decreasing barriers. Statistics Canada recently found over 19 percent of adult Canadians have hearing loss [2]. Facility managers often do not realize how often hearing aid wearers struggle to hear and stop attending events because of their hearing challenges. Managers often have no idea hearing loop systems even exist, let alone how helpful they are to hearing device wearers. It is vital that hearing device wearers voice their concerns and raise awareness about hearing loop technology. Businesses and venue managers are often quite willing to support hearing loop initiatives once they know the technology exists, how it works, and how cost effective it can be. Hearing device wearers are their own best advocates. Hear and be heard! Talk to facility managers. Write to decision-makers. Ask hearing care professionals who advocate for hearing loops in the community for their help. Cost-effective assistive technology does exist for hearing device wearers but awareness needs to be raised. Get involved and ask the venues you attend to Get in the Loop! n Here’s what people are saying about the Hearing Loop: “I recently witnessed another ‘Loop’ moment when a young woman who has worn hearing aids since childhood experienced the music in her church through a new loop system and said she could not recall ever hearing so clearly or feeling more involved.” ~ David Moore, induction loop consultant
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Auris Hearing Loops enable the hard of hearing to stay better engaged where background noise, echo or distance from the sound source is problematic. The sound is delivered directly and discreetly to the recipients own hearing aids. Here are just a few of the venues in the Okanagan that have recently been looped: l l l l l
Vernon Performing Arts Theatre Village Green Hotel Vernon Kelowna Council Chambers The Schubert Centre Vernon Library
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Kelowna Senior Learning Rooms Emmanuel Baptist Church Westbank United Church All Saints Church
DAVID MOORE Website: www.aurisloops.com Facebook: Aurisloops Email: david@aurisloops.com Phone: 250-540-1172
“It has been a simple and extraordinarily effective hearing-accessibility solution for our church. People who had not heard the service properly in years were now able to hear every word.” ~ Rev. Canon Chris Harwood-Jones, All Saints Anglican Church in Vernon. “After having personally benefited from the hearing loop, I am convinced it should be in every public building that facilitates the gathering of people.” ~ Duane Harder, author and teacher. “The amazement displayed on my patients’ faces when I demonstrate how their hearing aids can be turned into wireless speakers in a hearing loop is remarkable, especially when I ask them to step in and out of the loop.” ~ Tosha Hodgson, Audiologist. References: 1. Ampetronic. The History of Hearing Loops. http://www.ampetronic. com/History-of-Hearing-Loops. Accessed online August 17, 2015. 2. Health Reports, Vol. 26, no. 7, pp. 18-25, July 2015 - Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 82-003-X. Prevalence of hearing loss among Canadians aged 20 to 79: Audiometric results from the 2012/2013 Canadian Health Measures Survey Research Article.
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A Place to Call Home With physical and mental changes that can occur with advancing age, seniors need to consider housing that is best suited to their needs. By Dianne Fowlie
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hatever our stage of life, most of us value independence and the ability to choose how to live that life. As we age, we may find ourselves facing challenges in maintaining the level of independence we’ve been used to. Fortunately, a variety of options are available to help us meet these challenges. The best case scenario is for seniors to continue living in their homes for as long as they are safely able to do so. If their needs increase to the point that support cannot be provided at home, it may be time to consider assisted living, a semi-independent option available through privately owned seniors residences as well as publicly
subsidized assisted living units. A third option, residential care, is for people who require 24-hour, professional care. The BC Ministry of Health’s Home and Community Care services, provided in the Okanagan through Interior Health, are designed to provide the right care in the right setting. Care options include the following: • Home health services: support for individuals living at home and their caregivers • Respite: support for unpaid caregivers • Convalescent care: care in a short stay bed for people who need more time to recover
before returning home from hospital • Dementia care: care in different settings for people with dementia, their families and caregivers • Assisted living: semiindependent living for people who need a little extra help, but not 24-hour professional care • Residential care: for people who need 24-hour professional care Home Health Services When you need help at home, the first step to accessing Home Health services is to contact your local Home Health office (see next page for phone
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numbers in the Okanagan). You do not need a doctor’s referral. As part of the application process, a health professional will determine your eligibility and discuss your situation with you. If you require care and it can be provided in your home or community setting, your Home Health professional will work with you and your caregiver to create a care plan that meets your needs, using the appropriate services. Home Health also provides options for those whose needs would be better met in an alternate setting such as assisted living or residential care. Home Health professionals assess longer term health needs, and if staying at home is not feasible, arrange for services and help with the transition between home, assisted living, and residential care. Cost Some of the publicly subsidized services through Home Health are provided at no cost. Others have a fee, which may depend on your income. There may be a cost for some equipment or supplies. To access these services, you must agree to a financial assessment which will help determine your client rate. Assisted Living For those who need a little more help to live independently, but are not at the stage of requiring fulltime, professional care, assisted living provides another option. In BC, the law requires that assisted living residences be registered with the provincial government’s Assisted Living Registrar’s office in order to carry the Assisted Living designation. Assisted living facilities abound throughout the Okanagan in the form of publicly subsidized residences and non-publicly subsidized (private pay) residences. Accommodation can range from private rooms with lockable doors in a home, to apartment-style buildings with private self-contained suites, usually with their own bathrooms and cooking facilities. The residence provides a place where people can eat together and socialize. www.ohwmagazine.com
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Assisted living combines housing with personal care based on individual needs, as well as other support and hospitality services, including: • Nutritious meals and snacks • Housekeeping • Laundry services • Social and recreational activities • 24-hour emergency response service for safety and peace of mind If you are considering a private pay residence, you can contact the residence directly to get more information and even arrange a tour. For publicly subsidized residences, eligibility is determined by your local Home Health office—you do not need to contact the assisted living residence directly. To be eligible, you must: • Require personal assistance and supportive services
Be able to make decisions on your own behalf, or live with a spouse who can make decisions on your behalf • Be living at risk in your current home • Be able to function safely in assisted living • Meet eligibility criteria for Home Health services Once you are deemed eligible for a subsidized unit and have agreed to living in an assisted living setting, your name will be placed on a list for an available unit in your preferred residence. When a unit becomes available, the Home Health professional and assisted living staff will need to ensure that the assisted living environment continues to be suitable for you at the time of admission. Residential Care This level of housing is for adults with complex health care needs who require 24-hour, professional care due to physical disabilities or mental or behavioural conditions including brain injuries or dementia. Access to care is based on need and urgency. Residential services include: • 24-hour nursing and personal care • Medication supervision and administration • Meals • Laundry services • Social and recreational activities • Short stays for respite, convalescence or hospice palliative care Admission to publicly subsidized residential care is the responsibility of
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Nutrition Interior Health. Eligibility is determined by the Interior Health Home Health office—you do not need to contact the facility directly. Once you are deemed eligible for residential placement, your name will be placed on a list for either a first appropriate bed or a bed in your preferred facility. BC’s residential access policy ensures people with the most need have priority for the first appropriate bed in a residential care facility, so you may be expected to move with very short notice—often within 48 hours. To be eligible for residential care, a person must: • Have demonstrated complex care needs assessed as requiring residential care • Have made reasonable attempts to have care provided at home that has either failed or is considered unsafe or unreasonable to continue • Have had the required health and financial assessments completed by the Home Health professional Individuals who can manage at home with home health services, but refuse services, are not typically appropriate for residential care. If you are considering a private pay residence for yourself or a loved one, you can obtain more information by contacting the residence directly either by telephone or through its website. For more information on publicly subsidized housing options, visit the Interior Health website at www. interiorhealth.ca or phone your local Home Health office.
Embracing the Positive Realities of Aging The best path to health is in the food you eat.
Home Health Office (Okanagan) Contact Information Armstrong Enderby Kelowna Keremeos Oliver Osoyoos Penticton Rutland Salmon Arm S. Similkameen Summerland Vernon West Kelowna
250-546-4752 250-546-4752 250-980-1400 250-499-3029 250-498-5080 250-495-6433 Ext. 0 250-770-3477 250-980-1400 250-832-6643 250-499-3029 250-404-8060 250-541-2200 250-980-1400
By Raina Dawn Lutz olistic nutrition and healthy eating is vital to the process of aging well. Aging in our society is seen as grief, a loss, a dysfunction. We spend so much money trying to reverse it or keep it away, and usually on creams and potions to thwart it before it begins to show. It is mocked and something to be scared of. People try to prevent it, usually with a price tag, but it is not preventable. Aging can be a positive thing to embrace more easily when we take care of ourselves nutritionally. In some more traditional cultures, not only is aging celebrated, but elders are revered for their wisdom and health. These cultures are ironically more “primitive”—so we have got away from that feeling of growing wisdom. Primitive cultures are wiser as they respect their elders; they go about it the opposite way that we do here in North America. Elders in these other cultures are highly respected, and the young folks can very much look forward to reaching that age. In our society, we place such a high value on beauty that
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when our ideal image of beauty fades, human being, we have the intelligence. of our body as we age, we grow our we feel like everything else does too. The same way an acorn has the respect for our body. And when we The Abkhasians in Russia and the intelligence to become a tree, and a respect our body, it shows. Hunzans in Pakistan, for example, sprout the intelligence to become a We have a lot of power and no matter are both primitive cultures that live on plant. Growing older is an adventure. what stage of life we are in, we always healthy whole foods and live long lives We are afraid of aging because we have the option of either going with with very little degenerative diseases. want things to stay the same.” I asked the grain or against it. You make huge They have many things in common some wise women over the age of 60 headway when you go against the including regular physical exercise to tell me more about their experience grain—when the grain just doesn’t feel built into their days, no retirement, with menopause. They used terms right. Look at ads and other media with and very little emotional stress; and like “your time to now transform different and more open eyes, so you song and dance is highly important yourself” and “you’ve pro-created, co- can go inward and think about whether in their cultures. These cultures also created and re-created; your reality that is right for you or not. Having more had visitors notice that their elders are is no longer based on child-bearing years should mean increased wisdom, tremendously respected, something years” and even “it’s time to live your not decreased health. they believe to be a partial contribution authentic self.” These were really I believe that the best path to health to their long lives. is in the food you eat. Building Healthy nutrition through and maintaining a core healthy your life is so important, but for base of good food is vital, but seniors (especially those with adding in key nutrients for your conditions or diseases) it can focus is important. be vital. Am I getting enough Foods that give us strong eyes: calcium for healthy bones? dark green vegetables, zucchini, How do I keep my blood broccoli, free-range organic eggs sugars in control? What can I (the whole egg), garlic, onions, eat to lower the inflammation carrots. I feel in my body? Other Foods that give us a strong similar questions are quite brain: raw pumpkin seeds, common. It all comes down walnuts, hazelnuts, sunflower to one answer: eat real food, seeds, fermented foods, salmon/ as much natural food as trout/herring/mackerel, freepossible. Since we don’t live range organic eggs (the whole Foods such as raw pumpkin seeds, walnuts, hazelnuts in a primitive culture and we egg), beans, lentils, quinoa. and sunflower seeds are healthy for the brain have many more food (and Foods that give us calcium and food product) options, we also other important minerals: wild have a lot more confusion. interesting and positive views, which salmon, sesame seeds, fresh organic When asked by clients what eating was refreshing. So many women see vegetables and fruit, organic nuts “real food” means, I always reply, only the negatives in menopause, the and seeds, beans, organic blackstrap “The stuff you grew up on.” People hot flashes and the discomfort, but molasses, dried fruits like raisins, over 50 remember eating whole what about the transformation? There whole grains like brown rice and chia foods—the time before everything are so many women over the age of seeds. was drive through, pick-up or delivery, 65 (and that’s going to increase—our I do not believe we should dread microwaved, refined, processed, lifespan has expanded since the early the wisest time of life! Extend your packaged, frozen, pre-prepared and 1900s when women used to only live sage years by shopping at your local in plastic. When I talk about eating to see 40) that some women see that farmers market as much as possible, a real food like butter they laugh, as a “huge reservoir of power.” taking care of your body with adequate remembering how that was demonized Society is caught in a prolonged exercise, and taking care of yourself when they were mid-age adults. Most adolescence, and it doesn’t help that nutritionally by seeing a local holistic are now happy to go back to eating it. the media and our society is youth nutritionist. n An insightful friend once said, “As a obsessed. If we can learn to take care www.ohwmagazine.com
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Healthy Hydration for Seniors The mature body is less sensitive to changes in water volume and body temperature, so we should not rely on thirst alone to determine our fluid needs.
By Allison Ligertwood, BHK and Gareth Jones, PhD
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rinking enough water is important for maintaining good health. The body uses water to deliver nutrients to cells; to provide a moist environment for our airways, throat, nose, and ears; and to help remove waste. When we do not drink enough water we become dehydrated, and as a result there is less water than needed to carry out normal bodily functions. Every day, water lost through breathing, sweating, urine, and bowel movements needs to be replenished with what we drink and eat. Drinking water is an easy step to maintain health, yet many seniors are not getting enough, making dehydration a common cause of hospitalization. As we mature into later life, the body’s nervous system becomes less sensitive to changes in water volume and body temperature, leading to a delayed response to correct imbalances. When our water level is low, the body reacts by feeling thirsty, so that we drink more, and retaining water through the kidneys, so that
we lose less. When the temperature rises, the body produces sweat to help dissipate heat, allowing it to cool off. However, seniors often experience a delayed response to these changes, so it takes them longer to feel thirsty and to start sweating in warmer temperatures. Therefore, seniors easily become dehydrated and are more susceptible to overheating on a hot day. Seniors should drink more water when doing any physical activity in warm and dry climates, even if they do not feel thirsty or are not sweating. This is very important in the Okanagan Valley where we have a dry climate for most of the year. As we breathe, water is evaporated from the moist surface of our lungs and airways, so remember, you may not be sweating but you are losing water with every breath. The consequences of dehydration impact the health of our body. The kidneys regulate fluid balance by allowing or preventing the release of salt by the kidneys. This is because
water and salt always move together. Not drinking enough water results in less water being released from our body, causing less salt to leave as well. This leads to more concentrated urine, where there is less water and more salt and waste products, which can cause kidney and bladder damage over time. There can also be more salt in the blood, which pulls water from the cells into the bloodstream. Salt retention, a consequence of being dehydrated for a long period of time, can cause high blood pressure (HBP). Prolonged HBP causes stress and damage to the heart. In addition, due to the damage to the bladder, being dehydrated also contributes to urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) requiring more trips to the bathroom each day. This condition is very difficult for some seniors, and many drink less for this reason. A more common and acute effect of dehydration is having reduced blood volume. Water is a component of blood, and drinking less makes our
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The Senior Sweet Tooth
blood thicker, causing it to move more slowly and increasing the risk of blood clotting and blocking a blood vessel. Blood also takes longer to reach the brain, which can cause light-headedness leading to falls, particularly upon standing. The body increases heart rate to compensate for the lower blood volume. Therefore, water helps to maintain both a healthy blood volume and heart rate. Knowing the warning signs and symptoms of dehydration will allow you to know if you need to drink more (Figure 1). If you are unsure if you have any of these or other signs of dehydration, be sure to contact your doctor. Remember, thirst is not the best way for seniors to know if they are dehydrated (Figure 2). The best indicator is the colour of urine. If it is clear or light in colour then you are likely healthy and hydrated. Figure 1. Warning Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration Physical Symptoms
Cognitive Symptoms
Dry mouth and eyes
Fatigue
Dry skin
Confusion
Rapid heart rate
Dizziness
Muscle cramps
Irritability
Constipation
Reduced concentration
Infrequent or dark yellow urine Reduced attention Headaches
Reduced short-term memory
How much should you be drinking? Daily water requirements are individual and depend on diet, activity level, health, and Figure 2. When to Increase environment. There are Your Fluid Intake general guidelines available for how much water to drink Hot or dry climate each day. The Canada Food Physical activity Guide or the 88 rule (eight 8-ounce glasses per day) High-fibre diet can get you started toward High-sodium diet healthy hydration. Fever It is not just what we drink that contributes to our fluid Infrequent or dark urination intake, but also what we Vomiting or diarrhea eat. A diet high in fruits and vegetables will contribute more water. Drinking warm water with a lemon slice or mixing juice with water are great ways to add flavour for those who do not enjoy the taste of water by itself. It is okay to drink coffee, tea, milk, and juice, although it is still best to make water the first choice when thirsty. If you can, try to limit coffee to three 8-ounce cups each day. In general, drink a glass of water with and between meals and drink water before, during, and after physical activity. Drink small amounts often throughout the day to replace what is lost, and to keep your hydration in balance. This will also help to make it a routine so that you can stay hydrated without relying on feeling thirsty. Remember, water is inexpensive and easy for your body to use. Stay healthy, stay hydrated. n
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As the diet changes of the last forty years begin to affect our health and longevity, it becomes vitally important to watch our sources of sugar. By Shelby Entner, ND ave you ever wondered why our elders seem to enjoy sweets so much more frequently than other adults or even children? As people age and their lifestyles change due to living situations, family dynamics, and interest and ability to cook meals, many elders will gravitate towards a diet that is high in sugar. With a culture that is already exploding with diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, the aging population is at an even higher risk due to a long history of eating high sugar foods and insulin resistance. We all have memories of visiting our grandparents and noticing that there was always a plethora of candies in little glass dishes or cookies on the counter. My clearest memory of my grandmother is of her heading downstairs to the freezer, which was full of at least five different flavours of ice cream that she would dole out on hot summer nights. Spoiling grandchildren aside, seniors are often consuming far more sugar in their 70s and 80s than they did when younger. Studies show that as we age we have a dramatic decline in our taste buds and the ability to sense different flavours. In our prime we have approximately 10,000 to 15,000 taste buds, but by age 70 only around one-third
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of these will be actively working. Naturally, people are attracted to simple flavours that are easy to taste, sugar being the most basic flavour of all. So why is eating a high sugar diet as a senior so concerning? My concern is based upon our recent history of eating a high carbohydrate, high sugar and low fat diet for many years. In 1980, Dr. Ancel Keys wrote The Seven Countries Study, the first multivariate linear regression study (a study that examines how different variables have an outcome) on coronary heart disease and fat. In his summary, he concluded that countries that ate more fat had more heart disease. Wham, low fat diets became the rage and every doctor recommended a low fat diet (no more than 30 percent daily intake) to prevent heart disease. Unfortunately, thirty years of nutritional education has been based on this flawed study (he used incorrect parameters, ignored data from countries that did
not fit his study, etc., etc.). As a country, we embraced the low fat diet and naturally increased our carbohydrate intake, often in the form of sugar. What happens when you eliminate fat from a processed food? It tastes like a stack of cardboard! Add sugar and suddenly that low fat cookie tastes a whole lot better! Up to the time of World War II, most people had an average sugar consumption of about 20 grams per day (divide by 4 for teaspoons). In 1978, when high-fructose corn syrup was introduced, consumption went up to 40 grams per day (10 teaspoons). Adolescents today consume about 75 grams per day or about 12 percent of their daily caloric intake. A large amount of our sugar intake is from juices and sodas, often in the form of fructose. Fructose is a naturally occurring sugar and is found in fruit and vegetables. It is nearly twice as sweet as sucrose (table sugar) and is cheap to manufacture so is often used in processed foods. So why is fructose such a concern? Glucose is the main type of sugar in the blood and is the major source of energy for the body. Unlike glucose, fructose does not stimulate insulin or leptin (the hormone that tells your brain that you are full). When insulin is not stimulated, the body stores the sugar as a fuel for later: a nice spare tire of fat around the middle. Fructose gets metabolized completely by our liver and puts stress on the organ when intake is high. As the liver is overworked with fructose metabolism, it will create “fatty liver disease� and is a common association with risk of heart attacks, pancreatitis, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Uric acid is also a waste byproduct of fructose metabolism and can lead to gout and hypertension. As our culture ages and the diet changes of the last forty years begin to affect our health and longevity, it becomes vitally important to watch the sources of sugar in our diet. In 2015, aging adults have been exposed to more than four decades of high sugar foods. Combined with a natural change in appetite and interest in sweet foods, the modern senior is at greater risk of developing significant diseases. So what to do? Eating fruits and vegetables that are high in fructose is fine because of the fibre that naturally occurs in the foods. Drinking juice, consuming sodas, enjoying too many pumpkin spice lattes and being unaware of the hidden sugars in our diet can have a long-term negative effect on our health. Aging well is within reach and can be supported with a health care team that focuses on education and prevention. n
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