HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-01-04, Page 7The Huron Expositor • January 4, 2006 Page 7
News
Macular degeneration is the leading cause
of blindness in people over age 50
From Page 6
.The macula allows us to see
details and colours in the central
part of our ,vision. When blood ves-
sels cannot reach the macula prop-
erly, the tissue begins to break
down, making it more susceptible to
disease. .
Sanderson says the best way to
diagnose MD, is during a regular
eye exam, by simply dilating the
pupil with drops.
There are two kinds of MD, dry
and wet.
Dry MD affects 85 per cent of
those with MD: It is usually a very
slow progressing disease, as is the
case with Milton Dietz of
Egmondville.
During a regular eye exam 11
years ago, at the age of 64, Dietz
was diagnosed with MD. Since, he
has been taking vitamin supple-
ments daily, which helps to slow
down the effects of MD.
But, the effects of MD cannot be
stopped or cured.
Those affected by dry MD see little
grey spots in their central vision.
Dietz says he is yet to notice any
of the effects from the disease.
Wet MD, which although not very
common, is much more devastating
than the dry.
Wet MD occurs when the blood
vessels in the back of the retina
begin to bleed. It progresses much
quicker than the dry form.
As a comparison, Sanderson says
the worst vision loss from dry MD,
would be comparable to the effects:
of wet MD in its early stages.
Wet MD leaves blank blind spots
in your central vision.
With either dry or wet MD,
Sanderson says there is not a total
vision loss for those affected.
"People think they will go blind,
but they can still see, but just not
the details."
A number of steps can be taken to
prevent MD in the first place.
The key is keeping your blood
pressure down and having good
blood circulation, which can be done
by exercising, eating foods rich in
antioxidents, such as fruits and veg-
etables, and food that is rich in
omega, such as fish and nuts.
Sanderson says smoking increases
your chances of having MD two to
four times, because it reduces the
efficiency of your blood circulation.
He says MD has existed for many
years, but has been shrugged off as
"old age vision loss," by many.
"It's always been there, but with
better equipment and an older gen-
eration, more people are open about
it now," he says.
Sanderson also wants to -inform
people that no matter what age they
are, OHIP will cover the treatment
for MD.
He says many people who have
been suffering•from vision loss have
been waiting until they're 65, when
OHIP coverage
automatically
begins.
Sanderson
says although
MD is his largest
concern for his
senior patients,
there are still
many other prob-
lems that can
occur, all the
more reason to
have regular
check ups.
Glaucoma in
Carolers and other visitors
keep Manor residents busy
What a wonderful
holiday season we have
had at the Seaforth
Manor Nursing Home!
We are still recouping here
at the nursing home, as we
were very busy throughout
the holidays with lots of local
carolers and visits from the
community such as the
Salvation Army, the scouts
and cubs, the Harmony Kings
and the Saint James Church
choir.
We enjoyed having Pat
Ryan dress up as Santa
Claus on Christmas Day and
hand out goodies to all the
residents.
We also brought in the New
Year with an afternoon New
Year's party. We enjoyed
sparkling wine and scrump-
tious hors d'oeuvres while we
did our own version of the
ball drop at 2:30 p.m.
In the New Year the activi-
ty department would like to
welcome music therapist Lisa
':ta►i'IIi .'1a1101' \t!1'*,111;:, 1'Mitt'
Stewart who will be bringing
new programs to the floor.
Residents will take part in
Music Therapy every Monday
from 1-5 p.m.
In this program residents
will partake in drum circles,
motion and music and sing -a -
longs.
Residents are also
enjoying our youth
volunteers, Kristen
and Dylan, who come and
visit every Wednesday from
4-5 p.m.
In the New Year we are
looking forward to having the
cloggers back to entertain us
and hear the wonderful tal-
ents of Lorne McKenzie and
Jim Scott.
Diners enjoy turkey meal
The diners warmly welcomed
Christmas with the Seaforth
Seniors Dining Out program at the.
Seaforth Arena on Dec. 15.
Traditional Christmas turkey
with stuffing, cranberries, mashed
potatoes with gravy, turnip, veg-
gies, cabbage salad and festive
Christmas pudding was thorough-
ly enjoyed.
Entertainment was provided by
Mary F.,Dow on keyboard and
Murray Christie' on saxophone.
They played joyful tunes from the
band era and melodious Christmas
tunes.
Door prizes were won by Art
Henderson, Helen MacKenzie,
Thelma Brodie, Ken Preszcator
and Eleanor Maloney.
Share -the -wealth winners were
Margaret Gould, Marion Smith,
Marjorie Rock, Betty Oldacre,
Roberta Wadel, Teresa Maloney,
Velma Preszcator and Robert
Mansdish.
The next Dining Out program
will be on Thursday, Jan. 19.
another common disease, which
unlike MD, will take away your
peripheral vision first.
There are cataracts, which are
common, but can be removed, as
well as diabetes, which according to
Sanderson, has become an epidemic
in the western world.
Milton Dietz gives this advice to
seniors: "Your eyes are like a car;
you have to do regular check ups on
them."
"You can live without a lot of
things; but without vision is tough."
Church
You are invited -to attend these area churches
St. Thomas
Anglican Church
A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spirit
Jarvis St. Seaforth 527-1522
Rector: The Rev'd Sue Malpus. M. Div
Sunday, January 8"', 2006
Worship at 9:30 a.m.
Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Rector's Coffee Hours
- Thurs. Jan 5 from 9 - 11
Coundl Meetings - Tues. Jan. 10 - 7:30 p.m.
St. James Roman:
Catholic Church
Welcomes you
14 Victoria Street, Seaforth
527-0142
Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm
Sun. 11:00 am
Fr. Chris Gillespie
Bethel Bible Church
An Associated Gospel Church
126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.
Youth Activities Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
B&C Club Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Youth Drop In Centre
Open Friday 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME
NORTHSIDE UNITED
CHURCH
54 Goderich St. W.
Rev. John Gould
Worship 11:00 a.m.
Sermon: The End of the
Beginning
J Nursery During Worship
Adult & Teen Bible Discussion_
9:30 a.m.
Egmondville
United Church
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8TH
Worship at 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME
Steve Hildebrand
Lay Pastoral - Minister in Training
First Presbyterian
Church
Goderich St. W., Seaforth
Rev. Henry Huberts
Sunday, January 8'"
Worship 11:15 a.m.
Soup & Sandwich Luncheon to follow
Jan 15' - "Men of Praise" 7:30 p.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME
- Free will donation -
Sunday School & Nursery Provided
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH
81 Mill St. Dublin
ST. VINCENT de PAUL
29 Nelson St. Mitchell
Father Alan Dufraimont Office 345-2972
Mass Times
St. Patricks St. Vincent de Paul
Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. 9:00 a.m.
Wheelchair Accessible - Everyone Welcome
Olt
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