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Reading : a natural remedy

Reading, an activity that might seem banal, but that brings many benefits to both the body and mind. By escaping through the written word, we can discover an infinity of universes that can bring us everyday to new adventures.

Beyond the simple entertainement value of a good novel, reading stimulates the developpement of cognitive faculties. The brain, governing organ that it is, needs regular training like any other part of the body. The better trained it is, the stronger it becomes. It is proven that with proper mental stimulation, the progress of dementia and Alzheimer’s desease can be delayed. And there is more !

Reading also trains memory in general. All along the story, your brain needs to store information so that you can follow the goings-on of the narrative. Therefore, reading trains concentration and memory retention. By really diving into a good book, you train these faculties that would stay passive by simply watching mindless content on your television.

Furthermore, for those struggling to sleep, reading can provide a healthier alternative than sleeping pills, as it relaxes the body in much the same way as medication can do. 

Read. fine, but what?

Be it an adventure novel or a travel journal, a philosophical essay or a murder mystery, a biography or a novella, dive into whatever strikes your fancy.

Go to your local library and perouse its aisles. The myriad titles are bound to have at least one interesting title. If you still can’t find anything interesting in your local library, take a ride to the Bibliothèque Raymond-Lévesque in St-Hubert. With its two stories of books, the youth section near the entrance and the political section on the second level, you doubtlessly find something that will fascinate you as you walk in the surrounding park.

For those new to the hobby, here is a small list of some titles that might interest you.

ROBINSON, Kim Stanley, Aurora

ASIMOV, Isaac, Foundation

COLLECTIF, Contes et légendes du Québec

VONNEGUT, Kurt, Cat’s Cradle

BROWN, Dan, The DaVinci Code

MELVILLE, Herman Moby Dick

For those already passionate readers, I strongly recommend you go to the Librairie Alire, my favorite destination to endulge my reading hobby. This little book store has a wide array of titles, and its staff is friendly and well-read. Take the time to learn about the Club Alire ; this will give you access to discounts. Thanks to them, I managed to buy a copy of Critique of Pure Reason by Emmanuel Kant for the very low price of thirty-seven cents. At 856 pages, it’s price by the page is pretty low !

As is well known, eating habits and daily exercises have a direct impact on our health. With healthy life habits, the results appear quickly and encourages us to keep up our efforts in this way. On the other hand, bad habits over a long period of time have long-term consequence that tend to appear only after many years.

Even though mobility loss isn’t directly correlated to age, many elderly people are confronted by it. As many products have been created to assist those with limited mobility, it is important to remember that all solutions don’t apply to everyone. It is crucial to find the right tool for the right problem, so that one can find the adequate solution to bring them autonomy, safety, comfort and dignity.

Cane, walker, rollator, wheelchair, mobility scooter… Which is best?

The massive variety of mobility products can cause headaches for those confronted by it for the first time. The first step is to consult with your health specialist, which will know best what you truly need to assist with your medical struggles. You might also want to come by Équipements Adaptés MCL, where our experienced team can guide you through all the available products in a compassionate and patient way.

What does it mean to be “Adapted to your needs” ?

It is important for one’s health to stay active, both by body and mind. Someone who doesn’t leave the house by fear of falling or sudden fatigue will be closed off. Social interactions are a vital part of one’s health. Even though family and friends come and visit once in a while, their busy lives prevent them from visiting as much as they might want, or you might need.

Cooped up indoors, one becomes isolated, which can lead to an anxiety concerning the outside world. As our contact to the world becomes limited to television or the internet, where the news are rarely good, we become burdened by a darkened conception of the oudoors.

Even as a walker might be ideal to walk inside the home, it is rarely adequate to walk for prolonged periods outdoors. For many, the rollator is the better option to go out and walk on the sidewalks and local parks. With it’s intergrated bench, you can sit down when your legs become too tired to push on. For those unable to walk, a transport chair is ideal for outings for two. As one can rest in the wheelchair, the other can push it, meaning both can enjoy their time outside. For those wanting to traverse longer distances on their own without driving a car, a mobility scooter might be the right solution. Some scooters are designed for both indoor and outdoor usage, and others are better for long treks to the park along bicycle lanes, meaning you might just be able to go and visit friends and family. 

It is important not to provide an “over-adapted”  or and “under-adapted” solution to a mobility problem.

Obviously, an “under-adapted” product simply won’t fill the user’s need, be it safety or mobility. On the other hand, an “over-adapted” product might preclude its user from fully using their motor capacity, leading to a degradation of their overall mobility. It is our philosohpy that autonomy should be encouraged, and not stifled by excessive usage of mobility products. As an example, it wouldn’t be advisable to use a wheelchair if a simple walker would suffice.

I’m looking to adapt the home of one of my relatives. How can I evaluate their needs ?

It can be difficult to figure out the precise needs of someone with limited mobility. Often, they may refuse to change their life habits or refuse to acquire a mobility aid. Pride, fear or ignorance may reinforce such refusals. We have to accompany them respectfully through their choices and towards acceptance of their conditions.

Some products, such as bed rails, wall-mounted grab bars, super-poles, or even lift-chairs can assist one with their mobility while indoors. Often, some fear these new installations might be ugly. In many cases, they become a constant reminder of one’s frustrating physical condition. Purchases made by a relative are too often returned, or hidden in a closet never to be used. A consistent refusal of specialized equipements might be a symptom of a refusal of one’s condition rather than the equipements themselves. There are nevertheless discreet and esthetic choices available to harmonize one’s home with the equipements.

To avoid unnecessary purchases – and please note that many hygiene products cannot be returned once purchased – and the inconvieniences it might bring, we recommend speaking to the person beforhand, in order to provide the right equipement with regards to their condition and needs. We also recommend inquiring about the myriad of different products available for many specific conditions.

Overall, even though buying specialized equipement might not seem thrilling, it is essential to take the time to learn about the many available products, the specific condition and needs of the user. With the right choice, you will be able to provide the right support and solutions in order to bring them safety, mobility and quality of life, all of which can lead to a better physical and mental health. 

As is often said : being active is important. Our health specialists and relatives all agree and try their best to hammer it home. Stay active ! As gyms crop up around every corner, when cooking shows all claim the brand new dietary trend consisting of kale and chia, all foods unkown to us before the 21st Century. Throughout juice cures and gluten-free, lactose-free, OGM-free diets, one struggles to make head or tails of it all. Let’s try and make some sense of it better then perousing through magasines.

What does it mean to “be active ?

Practice physical exercice

With time, your aging body finds new limitations previously absent to it. At any age, it is important to move according to one’s capacity. A wide range of exercice are possible, according to any limitations you might struggle with.

Your arthiritis keeps you from walking long distances?

Work your balance on an exercise ball. That way, you can work all the muscles of your body without putting weight on your joints.

Your hips are too painful for an exercise ball?

You can lift weights to tone the muscles of your armes. Of course, pick the weights according to your strenght ! No need to impress anyone. A weight of 3 or 5lbs lift enough times would be plenty to work on long-forgotten muscles.

Your arthritis makes it hard to hold onto weight?

With an exercise peddler, you can strenghten your arms, legs and cardio all the while sitting in your living room.

Always check in with your health specialist before trying a new trianing regime. They might be able to advise you towards the right exercises, and keep you away from the wrong ones. Your body is unique, and all exercises aren’t suited for everyone. Please be cautious and check in with your physician.

« Depending on the origin of the pain, some exercises can be modified by a professionnal. That which is clearly shown, is that we must continue to train. In fact, it is recommended to reduce the length of the exercises, but to increase the frequency during the day. »

DIONNE, Isabelle, Ph. D.
Professor, Faculté des sciences de l’activité physique
Université de Sherbrooke et Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement 
RIESCO, Eléonor
Professor, Faculté des sciences de l’activité physique
Université de Sherbrooke et Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement 
FONTAINE, Marie-Noëlle, B. Sc.
Kinesiologist, Sercovie

The only bad exercise is the one we don’t do.

Get out of the house

Even as many exercises can be made from the comfort of your home, nothing is better than fresh air. Take the time to go outside your home at least once a day, even if only to walk around the block.

Many activities are open to you outside your home. Instead of reading in your living room, why not simply take in some sun and read in the park ? If the weather is too grim, you can still go to your local library. It would at least change the scenery.

Instead of drinking your coffee alone at your table, why not go out and take a coffee with a friend ? Many social activities of the kind are organized to help those struggling with loneliness, keep a eye out for those.

Beyond physical exercise, simply  going outside provide many benefits for both body and mind. Here’s a simple challenge : Shut the TV off, if only for a day. Do something else, leave the house and notice the well-being that will bring you.

Eat better

at better

What does eating better have to do with staying active ? It’s simply a way to better your health. The longer you’ll stay healthy, the longer you can enjoy all the treasures life has to offer.

Even as many drastic changes can be brought to a typical north-american diet to promote a healthier body, you don’t need to completely change the way you eat to do so.

With age, your metabolism slows down. It is usually best to reduce the portions eaten, as the body needs less energy throughout the day. Vegetables, fruits, a handful of nuts and a tall glass of water are safe bets, both as snacks and light lunchs.

« Protein-rich foods provide plenty of other nutrients essential for good health, such vitamins and minerals. And as exercise also bring a healthy appetite, eating enough protein and exercising is a double victory … with sturdy bones and muscles, and a good health ! »
PAYETTE, Hélène, Ph. D.
Professor, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke
Researcher, Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l’Estrie – Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke

Stimuling the intellect

Staying active is both a physical and mental endeavour. Keeping your wits sharp by reading, or by sovling puzzle games such as crosswords and sudoku, keeps you alert and pushes back the deterioration of your cognitive faculties such as memory loss or Alzheimer’s desease.

A sedentary lifestyle dulls the mind. Television, sensationalist media and plain old routine do not stimulate your mind. Consider better aleternatives, such as reading a good novel, or the biography of a celebrity dear to you. Organize meetings with old and new friends and talk about anthing. Be careful, though, as while it is fun to comemorate the good old times, the present and future is important to keep in mind in your discussions. Even at an advanced age, sharing with peers is a good way to stay in touch with the world, and keep a positive outlook on life.

To sum up, if you take measures to leave your home regularily in order to change settings and take in fresh air, if you keep your mind sharp and training a few times a week, you might just push back isolation, physical and mental deterioration.

Don’t worry about your ills. Don’t let yourself become bored. Fill your weekly schedule of fun and engaging activities. Your mood and your health will thank you for it.

It is never easy to fully understand the everyday challenges of those suffering a loss of autonomy. So many small tasks and activities can seem naturally easy to execute, but can represent monumental efforts for some. Furthermore, their struggles often aren’t limited to their autonomy, as uncontrolable physical limitations can seem unsurmountable.

This article covers a specific confition too often avoided. We skirt around the subject, murmur about its symptoms, and generally avoid speaking of it, be it by shame, discomfort or simple malaise. I will speak of incontinence. As many solutions exist for such a condition, but those afflicted may need help from their close-ones.

By default, it is made into a taboo. We speak of it in hushed tones, almost in shame, as if not speaking about it whisks it away. Needless to say, it isn’t an effective method.

Firstly, let’s break a misconception.

Incontinence is not linked to age.

Even if incontinence is often present for women aged 60 and older, age isn’t a causing factor. Other factors, themselves caused by age, such as menopose for women and prostate hypertrophy for men, can contribute to the developpement of incontinence. Nevertheless, almost every case can be treated, and in some cases even cured.

Before moving on with the informative details of this article, please remember that it does in no way replace the advice of your health specialist. As this article adresses incontinence in general terms, the best way to treat your particular needs will be provided by the expertise of your physician.

What are the prime causes of incontience ?

Incontinence is caused by a disfunction of the bladder and the muscles of the pelvic floor, either by muscular, nervous or other physical causes.

Are there many types of incontience ?

Absolutely

Stress incontinence

These are the urinary leaks caused by coughs, laughter or other physical efforts. In this case, the muscles aren’t strong enough to keep the urine inside the bladder.

Urge incontinence

It can be felt as a sudden need to urinate. Often it is too sudden to reach the toilet in time. It is caused by an irritation or hyperactivity of the bladder. The dysfuntion can be nervous, as normal signals aren’t transmitted adequately between the bladder and the brain.

Mixted incontinence 

It is the combination of stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

Funtionnal incontinence

Sometimes, the physical conditions of a person lead to a loss of mobility. Such a limitation can cause a slowing of movements which prevents one from reaching the toilet in time. This situation leads to functionnal incontinence.

Nocturnal incontinence

It is the incapacity to control one’s bladder during the night.

What can I do to manage my own incontinence ?

By performing Kegel exercises, you will reinforce your pelvic floor and therefore reduce the consequences of stress incontinence. By urinating often – some keep a journal of their urinations, for personal information but also to provide data to a health specialist – and training yourself to hold your urine for longer periods of time, the bladder strengthens itslef which reduces the symptoms of stress incontinence.

In your every-day life, you can try reducing diuretic foods and drinks, such as coffee, alcohol or tea, to reduce the need to urinate. Make sure to stay adequately hydrated by ingesting a sufficient amount of liquids throughout the day, but you might way to limit your liquid intake two to three hours before bedtime.

When urinating, try to completely empty your bladder, which reduces the risk and volume of involutary leaks.

But I’ve tried everything, and my incontinence is constant. What else can I do?

Many products are available to assist you in your dealings with incontinence. Absorption pads (Which are not the same as sanitary napkins, which do not absorb a great enough quantity !) and briefs can provide you adequate support. Do note that these products have no curative value, but they can bring comfort, safety and freedom to live your life.

Incontience brings concerns that are too often neglected by those trying to help. Even though it is a medical condition that has obvious physical sympotms, many psychological consequences also arise. The loss of bladder control can cause among many the feeling of a loss of dignity that needs to be adressed with the same diligence as the physical manifestations of incontinence.

I’m afraid to leave the house, since incontience might strike as I visit my friends and family.

All the while training yourself with the exercises mentionned earlier in the intimacy of your home, it is possible to use protective products such as pads or briefs when you leave your house. They might just provide you with the tranquility of mind neede to enjoy your activities.

I don’t want my friends and relatives to know about my condition. I fear the briefs will show.

Your medical condition is your perivate business. You have the right not to divulge it. There are many incontinence briefs, of many shapes and sizes, of which one might just be the discreet solution you are loking for. In many cases, a simple absorption pad is plenty of protection for daytime incontinence, both for men and women.

When I suffer a leak, a strong odour appears. I don’t want it to show in public.

Incontinence products provide a surprisingly strong protection against foul odours. With the right product for you, you’ll be able to control these odours.

My incontinence bothers me greatly. I don’t want to talk to anyone about it. Could I find the right solution by myself ?

By reading reliable articles, it is possible to find the right product for your condition. Nevertheless, it is always better to ask for the expertise of an expert, who is well documented on the different types of incontience and the different solution to it. As getting a appointment with a physician can be a long and complex procedure, we would like to invite you to Équipements Adaptés MCL Inc., where we can help you. For a quick, compassionnate and professionnal consultation, simply come by our store where we will take the time to inform you of the many possible solutions to your affliction. We also have a free sample program for those starting out. That way you can try the different products without spending a fortune.

We have your comfort and dignity at heart.

The human body is a frail vehicule. All along our life we accumulate stress, light or not-so-light injuries, bad life habits that slowly but steadily strain our precious body. After some years, this accumulated usage props up new needs and difficulties that were so far unseen. 

Specialized equipments is a vast and rich field. Plenty of products have been designed specifically to ease the life of those afflicted with mobility, or even cognitive, loss.  

Why should I use specialized equipments?

It is actually pretty rare that we seek such tools without needing them. Often, a physical or cognitive limitation brings forth the need for such equipments. But it is not weakness. The process of discovering new struggles is a perfectly natural one. Specialized equipments are made to assist people struggling to maintain their autonomy in their every day life. They help use with things as simple as writing a note, eating, washing and dressing, all in a safe, dignified and autonomous way.

How can I find out if a specialized equipment is suited to my needs?

Many public services, such as the CLSC, can provide consultations with physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Furthermore, by simply discussing the situation with your physician, you can find the right information with regards to these services. 

In the private sector, health specialists of all kinds, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and more, can be found. These services can be easily found online, or referred directly by the CLSC.

Of course, we can help you with regards to the equipements themselves. Our sypathetic and well-trained team can provide you with all kinds of information. It is always our pleasure to explore the possibilites specialized equipements might bring you, and answer any and all questions you might have.

Can I afford to purchase specialized equipments?

The price range of specialized equipements is extremely wide, but quality products are affordable for reasonable prices. Of course, we aim to help you find the right item to fill your needs, including the right price range, but keep in mind high price and high quality don’t always go hand in hand. 

If your financial situation is precarious, but the acquisition of a particular equipement is essential to you, consider looking with your CLSC, as many governement programs are there to assist those with particular needs. You might just be eligible to some such aid.

One of my relatives needs to use a specialized equipment, but refuses to do so. What can I do ?

Some individuals struggle to accept the condition that requires specialized equipments. We must be patient and accept their choice. By pushing them to strongly, they might rebuke even stronger the idea that they need it. We invite you, if your relative accepts, to come by our store simply to perouse the items we have. With the help of our team, that can show how handy most products we offer are, you might just convince them to accept to ease their struggles.

Équipements Adaptés MCL has the mission to find the right tools for your specific condition, so that you can maintain your mobility, comfort and liberty, all the while bringing you and your relatives a better quality of life.