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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-10-24, Page 11We Deliver Your Freedom with: • Home Oxygen • Wheelchairs II Electric Scooters • Hospital Beds • Bathroom Equipment • Electric Reclining Lift Chairs MEDICHAIR Canada's Wellness =Store. MEDlchair 4P MED-E-OX HOME RESPIRATORY & MEDICAL EQUIPMENT 1793 3rcOkkenue W. Owen Sound, ON N4K 6Y2 Tel. (519) 371-8001 Fax (519) 371-5951 Toll-Free 1-800-997-9951 282 Suncoast Drive Goderich, ON N7A 4K4 Tel. (519) 524-2020 Fax (519) 524-2222 Toll-Free 1-800-265-5500 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2001. PAGE 11. Seniors Fact or fiction: the truth about arthritis There are many myths about exer- cise and arthritis. See how much you know by taking this quiz. • Exercise is good for arthritis FACT: Exercise plays a key role in the effective management of arthritis and helps increase range-of-motion, strength, flexibility and aerobic abil- ity. Regular exercise is important in the management of arthritis because it helps to maintain joint cartilage, control swelling and reduce pain. • Sports and exercise cause arthritis FICTION: There are certainly some occupations and extreme sports that cause wear and tear on the joints, and that can lead to arthritis. However, a normal level of physical activity does not make a person more prone to developing arthritis. If you are concerned that your favourite activities are putting you at risk of developing arthritis, talk to your doctor or physiotherapist. • Treatment can help FACT: There are a variety of safe and effective arthritis treatments that can help with the pain and inflam- mation, which are the most common arthritis symptoms. Also, remember that regular, gentle exercise can help in the effective management of arthritis. Talk to your doctor about new treatment options and appropri- ate exercises. • Arthritis is an old person's disease FICTION: There are over 100 forms of arthritis that can affect any- one at any age. Some forms affect more men than women, and vice- versa. If you are concerned that your aches and pains are the early signs of arthritis, talk to your doctor. • I should never exercise if I'm experiencing pain FICTION: If you are experiencing an arthritis 'flare', you should take it easy. But don't underestimate the power of exercise to help with pain and inflammation. Talk to your doc- tor about available treatment options to help with your arthritis symptoms. Once you have that pain and inflam- mation under control you can get moving again! • You are never too old to exercise FACT: You are never too old to cel- ebrate active living. Walking to the store, working in your garden and even doing housework are all benefi- cial activities. If you have been inac- tive for a long time, a good tool to help you learn a few basic/arthritis- specific exercises is the Celebrate Active Living: Gentle Exercises for People with Arthritis video. For more information on treatment options, please call 1-800- ARTHROINFO. - News Canada And the times they are certainly achangin' By Carol McDonnell "And the times they are achangin". The old Bob Dylan song's words were never so true, when thinking about the society in which we live. Back in the early 1930s my moth- er was boarding near Toronto, as she was teaching far from home. She scandalized her landlady by teaching my father to dance, in the front par- lour. What wickedness- dancing! Also in that era, the sale of alcohol was banned except for medicinal reasons, as it had caused so much havoc with family lives. Great lines apparently were to be seen outside the apothecary as many realized an ailment, needing alcohol for a cure. Our own township just permitted the sale of alcohol in the late 1980s. When I was growing up, playing cards was barely tolerated but there was no betting on the cards and never were cards to be played on a Sunday. During many Muskoka summer evenings, friends, neigh- bours and family of all ages had hilarious times playing crazy bridge or other such card games. In recent times, another former hallmark of wickedness, gambling, has been gaining wide acceptance with all ages (19 years and over) as it gained legitimacy in this province. Over 80 per cent of the residents approximately have gambled at one time or another. Many seniors are amongst those who often frequent the slots, casinos, bingos , buy lot- tery tickets, or bet on the horse races. They might even make their travel plans according to this interest, and head for many locations around the world like Las Vegas or Morocco as this phenomena has been sweeping other countries as well. Our provincial government is very much involved in the area of gam- bling through the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (ogIc.ca ). They have 6,000 employees at 24 locations (number 25 is under con- struction at Thousand Islands- Ganonoque). The Corporation's 15 lottery games are sold at 10,000 retailers across Ontario. Currently there are 14 slots setups connected with various racetracks around this province, and more are under construction. This initiative has given a much needed financial boost to horse racing, mightily increasing their purses. Boasting the only palm trees in the county on its sign, our slots' parking lot always seems full from 9 a.m. to midnight. Charity and Aboriginal Casinos - there are four with Thousand Islands being the fifth. Sault Ste. Marie , Point Edward near Sarnia, Thunder Bay and Brantford. These generate $100 million annually for distribu- tion to charities through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Commercial Casinos are located at Windsor, Niagara and Rama near Orillia. The OLGC owns and maintains these locations but the daily running of the operation is done by private groups. As an outing with friends or for sheer entertainment many enjoy the slots and casinos, much as bingo was and continues to be enjoyed. However it would be wise to leave you credit card at home and limit yourself as to the amount of time and money you will spend at each visit Should you become hooked on gambling to the point where the phone bill can't be paid and you have no time for friends or family, The Huron Addiction Assessment and Referral Centre is standing by - phone 482- 1767. Fully funded by the same govern- ment it seems a trifle ironic, that this service is located in the same town as the Slots outlet. Seniors often go through many life changes, often very quickly and may feel lonely or bored. They may start to find excitement and companion- ship too often at gambling venues. These venues like to fill their day- time hours with seniors who are available as they are probably not working, often sponsoring busloads of them to come to them. As I went up the stairs of the local slots outlet I could feel my father turning over in his grave. He need not have worried as the loud, overly lit atmosphere, with rows of machin- ery did not appeal to me. However many of my friends do enjoy this activity. Time to get down to the store to buy my lottery tickets. Early detection of breast cancer can save your life October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer remains the most fre- quently diagnosed cancer for women. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, one in nine women has a chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. This year in Ontario alone, it is estimated that 7200 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. In Huron County, over the past 10 years, there has been an average of almost 12 deaths per year from breast cancer. Every woman is at risk for develop- ing breast cancer, but 80 per cent occurs in women over 50 years of age. However, early detection leads to ear- lier treatment and a significant increase in survival. There are screening guidelines for breast health for women at different ages of their lives. Women ages 20 - 39 years: • become familiar with how your breasts look and feel • have an annual clinical breast examination by your doctor or health professional • be aware of risk factors for breast cancer and early detection methods for all age groups. Women ages 40 - 49 years: • learn . how to do proper breast self- examinatiOn monthly • have an annual clinical breast exam by your doctor or other health pro- fessional • discuss mammography with your physician Women age 50+: • learn how to do proper breast self- examination monthly • have an annual clinical breast exam by your doctor or other health pro- fessional • have a mammogram every two years through a centre that special- izes in breast screening. The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) is an organized breast screening program for women 50 years of age and older. It combines a clinical breast examination by a trained professional, a screening mammogram and information about breast self-examination in a woman- friendly atmosphere. For women 50 and over, mammo- grams can detect 90 per cent of breast cancers. A recall letter is sent every two years if the mammogram is nor- mal. If an abnormality is detected, fol- low-up may require a biopsy, surgery, a second examination or a referral. Over 80 per cent of all abnormali- ties are not cancerous. Abnormalities that are cancerous are far more easily treated when they are found early. The only thing worse than finding a lump is not finding•a. lump. The OBSP has sites in London, Walkerton, Listowel and Stratford. Goderich has begun the process. Innovative findings from recent research by Christine Friedenreich, an epidemiologist at the Alberta Cancer Board, indicates that -,routine daily physical activity throughout a woman's life can reduce her risk of breast cancer by a third or more. Research has been published in the American Journal of Epidemiology and the Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. In one paper, the researchers and said postmenopausal women who do the equivalent of a 30-minute brisk walk daily in addition to daily activi- ties, see their risk of developing breast cancer fall by 30 per cent. The exer- cisers who did not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol saw their risk fall even more dramatkally, up to 70 per cent. This one of the first research papers that has made a definitive link between breast cancer and exercise. By practising routine breast screen- ing techniques and living a healthy lifestyle, women can take cnarge of their breast health. For more informa- tion, contact Janet Izumi, Huron County Health Unit at 519-4825119, ext. 247. North Huron Wescast Community Complex Offers... "Gentle Aquatics" A gentle stretching and exercise Adult Senior Swim program!!! Excellent for individuals Mon., Wed., Fri. 3 - 4 pm with arthritis, joint pain, back trouble, recovering from surgery or wanting some gentle exercise. NOTE: Class Low Impact Aquafit length is 45 minutes with the last 15 Wed. & Fri. 8:30 - 9:30 am minutes to utilize jetted area or exercise on your own in the pool. Beginning Dec. 3rd Come out and try the Gentle Aquatics Another class will be added Arthritic Program your first time is free. on Mondays Then the cost is $5.00 / visit or $20.00 from 8:30 - 9:30 am a week for -the next 5 weeks. You must register at the Rec. Office for this program. Class dates: Effective Immediately Adult & Sr. Mondays: 7 - 8 pm Swimming Lessons Tuesdays: 3 - 4 pm Will begin January 7, 2002 Wednesdays: 7 - 8 pm Sign up at the Rec. Dept. Thursdays: 3 - 4 pm 357-1208 Gentle Aquatics Mb begin again In the New Year- Look for our Winter Flyer coming out In Mid November 1.1" N U* North Huron Recreation 43.4 4‘ Department ?ogiostot 357-1208