Saying farewell to your home of years
Friday, November 25, 2011 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments


For many young people, moving to a new home is usually an exciting experience. More often than not, a new home means a more refreshing environment, more privacy, perhaps even bigger space. New is generally perceived as something novel and better.

On the contrary, moving can be an emotionally-overwhelming and stressful experience for senior citizens. It's akin to a large, deeply rooted tree, being forcefully uprooted to be moved to a strange new place. If not done properly, the tree may fall sick, or even die.

Recently, the enbloc exercise and eviction of residents at Rochor Centre has generated plenty of buzz in the mainstream media and online. While some are excited at the prospect of getting a brand new house and extended lease, on top of some profits, in exchange of residence at Rochor Centre, others, especially some older folks, are extremely worried and confused. To them, moving means possible separation from their neighbours of 30-something years. It means having to get used to a new environment all over again, something that is usually not easy for the elderly. For some, it means saying goodbye to the very first home they owned since HDB began encouraging home ownership in the 1960s and 70s.

Nevertheless, what happens, has to happen, and rather than gripe over it, one should make the best preparations for it. Moving elderly parents and grandparents may involve complications, especially those who are emotionally and physically fragile.

Deciding what to move over

You're glad to leave your moth-eaten sofa behind, but Grandma wants to bring it along because it reminds her of the happy moments she and Grandpa spent cuddling on the sofa and watching tv together. She also wants to bring along that antique spitoon and ancient wedding lamps that even musuems wouldn't want. She makes a big fuss when you tell her that you don't intend to bring them along.

What should you do? You don't want to upset her, but you don't want your house to turn into a warehouse! Old people tend to be very attached to their possessions. They want to preserve memories, and they are afraid of forgetting. They also worry that once they throw it away, they will never be able to buy another identical item.

That's why it's important to start planning early. Gently explain to your seniors why you don't think it's a good idea to move the item, and then subject them to trial test; you'll keep the items out of their sight for a trial period, and observe how they cope without it. When they realise that they can indeed cope without it, they will be more willing to let go of it.

But never, ever dispose their possessions without their permission. You could upset them badly. Put yourselves in others shoes. You wouldn't like it when others dispose your things without permission.

Create a To-do checklist

Old people tend to have poor memories, so it is advisable to always keep a checklist at hand and take note of the things they have to do, or want to do as soon as possible before it is forgotten. This is especially crucial if you aren't living with your seniors. You will need to make sure that they do exactly what to do when you're not around to help them. Examples of such things include transferring prescriptions or filing a change of address with the police post.

You can also use some checklist templates to speed up the process and keep things organised. For those with iPhones, try the mobile inventory in My Move iPhone app (http://www.mymovingreviews.com/mymove/) it’s free! Create a timetable for packing, moving and unpacking to guide you through the whole moving process. This will also help you to decide when to take leave to help your seniors.

Saying farewell to your current home
Help your seniors to document the memories. Take pictures and videos of them in their house and around the estate, so that they can look at these photos and videos and reminisce.

Familiarise them with the new residence

Help your seniors to familiarise themselves with their new home. Bring them to visit their prospective new home often, show them all the great new facilities and important ameneties like supermarkets and clinics, which they'd undoubtedly be concerned about. Show them how they can continue to work their daily routine and favourite activities into their new home. With growing familiarity and affection towards the new home, your seniors will feel less upset about moving. They may even grow to look forward to it!

Hire a good moving company

In Australia, there are senior companies who specialise in moving elderly people, offering comfort for the seniors and the rest of the family. (Examples: http://www.xpressmovers.com/local-moving.htm, http://www.beltwaymovers.com/resources-movetips_senior-moves.html). Currently, such services are not known to be available in Singapore. But given our ageing population, it is probably a matter of time before we do.

In the meantime, start scouring classifieds and reviews on reputable moving companies with good customer service and integrity. In event that your seniors move house when you are not available, these people are going to be the ones fully in charge of the moving process. Some movers are lazy and even ask occupants to do their own moving. Some will blatantly ask the home owner for additional tips and payment which you have already paid to the moving company. You do not want your seniors to have to deal with such people.

Relieve your seniors of physical stress

Do your seniors have difficulties moving around? You may need to rent a wheelchair on the day of the move, or even hire a vehicle to move them to their new place. You might even consider hiring a nurse or caretaker to tend to them as moving is a tedious activity and may take a whole day, even days!

Sometimes, they may feel paranoid to leave their more important possessions in the hands of the movers. Moving them in a car or van allows them to take along some of their most treasured belongings.

Be There for Them

Wherever possible, be there for them throughout the moving process, whether it’s helping to pack their things, or directing the movers on the moving day, or bringing them around to explore their new home and estate. Sometimes, they may need a listening ear when they feel stressed and scared about the prospect of moving. Talking to them will make them feel soothed.  When they have moved to the new home, observe them for signs of depression. Some senior citizens may be afraid to leave their homes due to lack of familiarity. If they are cooping themselves up, not eating well or not going about their daily routine as per normal, be sure to talk to them and have them open up to you. If necessary, seek help from the neighbourhood doctor.

A house may contain many memories, but ultimately, these memories are created from the occupants, and moving out does not mean destroying these memories. At the end of the day, your love and concern will prevail their fears and they will start enjoying the new memories created in their new home.


Seaweed - Not as weedy as it looks
Friday, November 18, 2011 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments

Seaweed is popular in Asian cuisine, especially Japanese cuisine. It's widespread usage in Japanese meals may account for the Japanese people's long lifespans and good skin.

You must be wondering how that frumpy thin piece of weed-like substance is so good. Seaweed grows in the ocean, where it picks up a range of minerals and other nutrients. It is non-complex, making it easy for the body to break down and release the minerals and nutrients inside. Seaweed also has no fat or other unhealthy component. It is usually prepared without any oils.

How eating seaweed benefits you!
  • Seaweed can help control your appetite– Seaweed is low in fat but packed with soluble fibre, which helps control blood sugar levels and keeps your bowels moving. The fibre can help you feel full on very few calories.
  • It's chock-full of vitamins and minerals – Seaweed is a great source of vitamins A, C, E, K and B vitamins. It's also rich in minerals, including iodine, selenium, calcium and iron.
  • Lowers cholesterol – Seaweed helps block fat absorption so it increases weight loss.
  • Better skin – Seaweed contains methionine and cysteine-rich in algae so it can prevent skin drying, often fresh or dry skin rich luster and oily skin may improve oil secretion.
  • Increases immunity against some types of illnesses – The protein extract of seaweed polysaccharides boost immunity against various viruses.
The optimal diet focuses on a variety of fruits and vegetables. Since seaweed grows in the ocean, it contains certain vitamins and minerals that aren’t even available in land-grown vegetables. This extra variety makes seaweed a good food to mix into your diet.

It's very easy to mix seaweed into your diet! You can simply sprinkle dried seaweed flakes to your food, or roll your rice and ingredients into dried seaweed wrappers. You can find pack of these wrappers, which are called “nori”, in most supermarkets like Cold Storage, NTUC Fair Price, Isetan Market and Cheers. You can also add dried seaweed to soup. Soggy seaweed tastes just as nice as a crisp sheet of seaweed!

If you feel like snacking, seaweed is a great substitute for chips. Dried seaweed is crispy, and it is sometimes flavoured with chilli flakes and other flavourful substances for a greater variety of tastes. Do watch the salt content of such flavoured seaweed though!

Adding sesame seeds to a bowl of dried seaweed strips makes a delicious and healthy snack too!


Don't get bugged by the flu bug
Friday, November 04, 2011 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments

The weather has been blowing hot and cold these days, alternating between sunny and rainy, several times in a day! Small wonder that more people are falling sick from having their bodies toyed with in this manner! Among the illnesses that patients sick treatment for, flu is one of the most common ones. In Singapore. flu season typically begins in November and can last until May. Flu outbreaks can peak in any month during the flu season.

The flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses, and it affects people of all ages. However, certain groups of people get it worst. They include elderly people aged 65 and older, young children, and people with chronic medical conditions whose immune systems are comparatively weaker than others.

Flu is transmitted through the air by coughs and sneezes. The virus survives in the open in the moisture that's expelled. Flu viruses can be deactivated by sunlight, sterilizer and detergents.  As such, frequent hand washing helps to reduce the risk of infection.

Simple things to prevent yourself from falling prey to the influenza virus!

1.      Keep your hands off your face – Your nose and your eyes are vulnerable areas for germs to enter your body.

2.      Get sufficient sleep – Bed time is when your body rests and repairs itself. You should get at least eight to ten hours of sleep every night. A good night’s sleep is essential for the immune system to recharge itself.

3.      Work out – Working out regularly strengthens your immune system. However, if you're down with the flu, you'll have to go easy on your body and get ample rest.

4.      Eat healthily - "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is an evergreen adage. Consuming plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables improves your immune system and makes it eaier to fight off the flu virus.

5.      Every time you shake someone’s hand, wash yours – Wash your hands as much as possible with soap to get rid of the germs. If you often find yourself in a situation whereby its difficult to find a place to wash your hands, bring a bottle of hand-sanitizer with you.

6.      Stay away – Keep your distance from people displaying symptoms like sneezing and coughing. If you have to care for sick family members and friends, have the patient wear a face mask to prevent virus-ridden saliva and mucus from spreading all over the place.

7.   Get a flu shot - Accordingto the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu. The vaccine is reformulated annually to protect against strains of the flu virus predicted to be most widespread, so even if you've had a flu shot last year, you should get another this year!