Their Health at a Glance
A NEW LOCALLY PRODUCED HEALTHCARE JOURNAL COULD BE A LIFESAVER FOR THE SNADWICH GENERATION.

Like many adults with grown children, Betsy Hiebert has spent many hours in doctors’ waiting rooms with her in-laws, and often finds herself being an advocate for their care. And she is not alone. In 2002, more than 1.7 million adults aged 45 to 64 provided informal care for senior relatives.

We might share the task of taking mom to the optometrist, taking dad to the kidney specialist, or filling Aunt Judy’s insulin prescription with another parent, with our siblings, or with other relatives. But no matter what our set up is, the frustrations are often the same: how do we keep track of new doctors and specialists, new medications, proper dosages, appointment times, and then share that information with other caregivers, as well as with the patient – our mom or dad.

For Hiebert, these frustrations led her to brainstorm about a new business venture. “My husband suggested that I become a patient advocate,” explains Hiebert. “I didn’t think people would pay me to do that so I asked myself, ‘What would be the next best thing?’” After careful consideration, and consultations with numerous seniors, doctors and pharmacists, she created the Personal Healthcare Journal for Seniors, an incredibly handy resource for seniors, their doctors, and their adult children.

Intended to be portable and super simple to use, the journal is a one-stop index of a patient’s medical history. Every time a doctor prescribes a medication there is a page to write down the medication name, how often to take it, what colour it is and how much to take. Each time the patient visits a doctor, there is a spot to note that doctor’s name, along with recent symptoms, questions the patient wants to discuss, what the doctor said at the appointment and what tests were ordered. There are also spots for patient or caregiver notes, a medical and vaccination history, any advanced health care directives, and just about anything else you would need to write down and share with other doctors, pharmacists or caregivers.

Coil bound with a hard cover and large print, the book can be brought to each appointment and filled out by the patient, caregiver or doctor. Each section is simply laid out and comes with sticker tabs so important sections can be easily located.

“The goal of the book,” says Hiebert, “is that whether they are traveling or at home, if a senior has to be taken to a doctor or emergency room, having this book will help the healthcare team have a better understanding of the patient’s medical situation, and lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment.”

The book will be available at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg by mid-March. For more information check out Hiebert’s website at
www.mycarenecessitites.com.

Your Life, Unlimited!
INDULGENCE - JUST THE FACTS, MA'AM

In-dul-gence. Ohhh, say it slow, even letting the word roll off our tongue feels good. In-dul-gence - a treat, a luxury, an extravagance, a pleasure - mmmmmm…. In our fast paced world, with our ever-efficient lifestyles, we don’t even have time to say the word very often, let alone practice it do we?

By Encarta’s definition, indulgence is “the act of gratifying or yielding to a wish.” What does it mean by your definition? Think back to the last time you had that feeling, can you remember? What would it be like to bring some purposeful, intentional indulgence into your life on a somewhat regular basis?

I am all for spontaneity, but sometimes if you wait for it to happen, it becomes a looooong wait. Sometimes we have to create the opportunity, the setting, the mood, and we really have to practice strengthening our indulgence muscle! The benefits include increased personal satisfaction, increased stress management and increased tolerance, but like anything else, to get really good at this you have to practice! This could be the best homework ever!

TEN TIPS FOR PRACTICING INDULGENCE:

1. Candles — Light many, many, many candles - just like you see them do in the movies but never do for yourself, and make sure you get some fantastic scents!

2. Sweets — Not too many - but very, very high quality ones - just because you can!

3. Music — Your choice, your volume, listen to your favourites over and over and over - drive them nuts!

4. Culture — Visit the art gallery, see a play, a symphony, a concert - even by yourself - why not!

5. Books — Spend too many hours in the book store, wander about and pick up anything that catches your eye, sink into the big comfy couch with a dozen books and a stack of magazines!

6. Hair — Try a new cut, colour or style, beg for an extra long shampooing, give yourself a hot oil treatment, or just hand brush your hair and scalp hundreds of times, mmmm….

7. Heat — How do you like to warm up? By sitting by the sunny window, with a hot pack, a heater, steam room, whirlpool, sauna, hot shower, hot tub? Have you tried the hamam at Ten Spa?

8. Food — Take time to prepare your favourite, order your favourite, discover a new favourite or share your favourite. Enjoy the texture, the aroma, the presentation, as well as the taste.

9. Fun — Take in a comedy show, plan a murder mystery party, try laughter yoga, make a list of fun things and do as many as you can in one day!

10. Pyjama Day — Self explanatory (and also my personal favourite)!

In the end, indulgence speaks to you in words like, joy, pleasure, bliss and passion and your spirit answers in appreciation — thank you, I’ve been waiting!

Enjoy, enjoy.

Stephanie Staples is a personal development coach and speaker and a proud Winnipeg woman!  You can find her (and an article for singles) at www.yourlifeunlimited.ca.

Purse Nurse
While shopping in Chicago this past fall, my beloved black Espe bag from the Costume Museum (We Love, Fall 2007) broke under the weight of my overloaded wallet, guide book, water bottle, etc. For months I mourned my beautiful turquoise-lined bag before finally taking it to the repair shop at U.N. Luggage. For just $12 they replaced my broken circular clasps with sturdier rectangle ones and in just four days my favourite bag was back, stronger than ever. Have a pile of broken purses destined for Goodwill or the garbage that could easily be repaired? Well, now you know where to nurse them back to health.

Sweet Scrubs
Besides slushy streets, spring in Winnipeg means dry skin. Our favourite way to give our skin a spring glow is with the sugar scrub and Buttercreme body polish from Sugar Body & Bath in the Johnston Terminal. Less intense than a salt scrub, both exfoliate and leave your skin smooth (and your bathroom smelling sweet) - trust us! And the best part is that you can personalize the scent of your product from a wall of essential oils. Mix a few, like vanilla and
lime sorbet, or go with the house specialty
of Pink Potion.

More Lifesavers!
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Sweet Dreams
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