Health and wellness trends circulate popularity every year with new products, fads and ideas to help you feel good. For this issue, we researched popular health trends amongst seniors and hand-picked one for each area of health and wellness. Is the trend credible, totally phony or somewhere in between? Local health and wellness professionals comment on these trends and whether or not you should try them.
Ada Aesthetics
Dr. Sarah Stierman, Dermatologist
12780 Roachton Road
419-873-6961
Ada Aesthetics, a division of Dermatology Associates, Inc., makes the health and beauty of your skin the number one priority. To better serve our patients, Ada offers two locations for your convenience: Perrysburg and Sylvania.
Essence Mind & Body Studio
Diana Spiess, Owner
725 Ford St. B
419-873-6463
The staff at Essence is committed to supporting clients on their health and wellness journeys. They specialize in private sessions, group classes, educational workshops, teacher trainings, practitioner certifications, nutrition and more.
Trend: 7 Chakras and how to unblock them
Question: Are chakra treatments real and truly helpful? What are the chakras and how do you unblock them? How does a blocked chakra impact your mental and physical health?
Answer: Chakra is a word that means “wheel.” Energy moves in a vortex. This can be seen when we let water drain out of a sink when we release the plug, or with the flushing of a toilet, or just know how the earth spins on an axis and around the sun. The energy centers in us that are referred to as chakras, are points where specific energies resonate in us. We can release anything that blocks these areas by moving our bodies in specific ways, by chanting specific sounds (humming or vibrating them with our vocal cords), being in the space of specific frequencies (sound therapy), or by even repeating specific verbiage (speaking intention or affirmation). The process of entrainment allows for us to then resonate back into a balanced range for each area that’s off.
There are 7 main chakras that are usually spoken of but there are many more. The root chakra, Mulahdara, is at the base of the spine and is associated with safety, family and roots. The sacral chakra, Svadhisthana, is in the center of the pelvis and is associated with creativity, sexuality and individuality. The naval chakra, Manipura, is located behind the navel and is associated with strength, will power and free will. The heart chakra, Anahata, is in the heart/rib cage space and is unconditional love. The throat chakra, Vishudha, is in the throat and associated with communication which includes speaking truth and hearing clearly and completely. The third eye, Ajna, is in the central brain (the pineal gland), and is associated with wisdom and the vast, universal infinite. And, the crown chakra, Sahasrara, is at the top of the head and is associated with our connection to the Divine/God/Universal Energy that connects and sustains all.
Frankel Dentistry
Pamela Weitzel, Marketing Director
5012 Talmadge Road
419-474-9611
Frankel Dentistry founded in Toledo, Ohio in 1946 is the first 100% employee-owned dental practice in the United States. The staff will provide you with a comprehensive and advanced approach to achieve optimal oral health and wellness. All patients receive the most aesthetic, minimally invasive, caring and cost effective therapies available.
Trend: Implant-Supported Dentures
Question: What are the pros/cons of implant-supported dentures versus a full or partial denture? Would you recommend this type to your clients?
Response: A healthy mouth promotes a healthy body. A healthy, fully functional smile facilitates speaking, eating and smiling. When you smile you feel better! Google it and be sure to smile while looking it up. Try it. You’ll feel it. Often seniors are missing teeth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 17.3% of seniors 65 years and older have no remaining teeth. In the past, the only option was traditional full dentures. There are those that use dentures without complaint. Others mention loss of taste due to the upper denture covering the palate, embarrassment at night when the dentures are out and soaking in liquid to maintain the health of the gum tissue, and loose-fitting dentures due to the gradual loss of jawbone. I am fortunate to have witnessed the journey of implant retained dentures with dozens of denture wearers. They are overjoyed with the results. The dentures are fixed in place. They are only removed in a dental office for regularly scheduled cleanings. The palate is open much like with natural teeth so food tastes great. The dental implants that hold the dentures in place are secured in bone. The act of chewing actually stimulates bone, slowing the process of bone loss. Implant retained denture wearers are able to enjoy foods they have been denied for years. “I am able to eat at the buffet from A to Z”, one person shared. Crunchy apples and carrots, a sizzling steak, and buttery cob on the corn are no longer foods of the past. Not everyone is a candidate for implant retained dentures but those who are can’t stop smiling.
Great Lakes Audiology, LLC
Dr. Clint Keifer & Kris Dalton
3780 King Rd, Suite 2C
419-327-2273
Dr. Keifer created Great Lakes Audiology to be your most trusted and valuable community resource for hearing heath, education and quality audiologic care.
Trend: Bluetooth Enabled Hearing Aids
Question: What potential benefits and challenges come with these hearing aids? Would you recommend these for your patients?
Response: Bluetooth enabled hearing aids offer many advantages for wearers who regularly use their phones and other devices for communication and entertainment. For example, someone who struggles to hear during phone conversations can benefit when their phone transmits the caller’s voice to their hearing aids with needed sound amplification added and distracting background noise filtered out. TV watching is another situation where Bluetooth enabled hearing aids can benefit the wearer. Sounds are sent to the wearer’s hearing aids and give them the amplification and sound clarity they need to enjoy the show without having to crank up the volume to levels that are uncomfortable for others in the house. In a similar way, Bluetooth enabled hearing aids allow users to listen to music, audiobooks and other online content streamed from their phones or tablets. Bluetooth enabled hearing aids also work with apps that can be installed on phones or tablets. Once the app is installed, phones and tablets become “remote controls” that allow the hearing aid user to adjust the volume on her hearing aids from the screen of her device. A user can also adjust the settings of his hearing aids by choosing different programs in the app. When he taps the “Restaurant” program in the app, his hearing aids will begin to amplify the voice of the person sitting next to him at the table, while quieting the background noises coming from the rest of the dining area. When paired with the app, hearing aids can even become fitness trackers. In addition, some apps contain the “find my” feature, which can tell you where to look for your hearing aids if you misplace them.
There are some challenges that come with Bluetooth enabled hearing aids that users need to be aware of. Using Bluetooth places more demand on hearing aid batteries. Users will find that batteries need to be replaced more often with increased Bluetooth use. For rechargeable hearing aids, the available charge will decrease more quickly and require that the hearing aids be placed in their charger more often. Users should keep personal safety in mind as well. It’s important to make sure that environmental sounds that could alert a user to danger are able to be heard above any music, news or podcast being transmitted into his ears through his hearing aids. It should be noted that software for apps, tablets and phones is updated frequently. Sometimes Bluetooth enabled hearing aids lose connectivity to apps and devices when these updates occur, and users have to learn to restore the pairing between their hearing aids and devices. Tutorials are widely available online. In-person help is also available from your audiologist and their staff.
Fleet Feet
Andria Barlage
3315 Central Ave Unit A3-50
419-214-1228
Fleet Feet Toledo is a locally owned specialty running shop in Toledo Ohio. The goal is to promote positivity and the good that can come from wearing the correct shoe. The specialized fit ID process can help find the right shoe for any need. Everyone needs a comfortable shoe whether you are running, walking, standing, working or going to the gym.
Trend: Wide-toe box running shoes
Question: Are these an essential best practice for runners? How can we find a proper pair of running shoes to accommodate any foot? (flat feet, high arch, etc.)
Answer: While there are different options when it comes to wide-toe box running shoes, these are not necessarily essential for every runner. Each person will have a different measurement when it comes to length and width in their feet. If someone is measuring more on the narrow side, or even just measuring a standard width, a wide-toe box shoe could feel sloppy on the foot, meaning there could be too much side to side movement.
At Fleet Feet we like to take every customer through our Fit ID process. This process takes a 3D scan of the customers’ feet, giving us their length, width and arch height. This then helps us determine which shoes would work best for that customer. There truly is not one brand that is better than the other, it’s just that each brand will fit everyone differently. Bringing out a few different options based on foot type gives the customer the opportunity to decide which shoe fits their foot the best.
Molly Maid of NW Ohio
Cyrus Connors, Owner
5110 Angola Road
419-324-1250
Since 1984, customers have welcomed the trusted cleaning professionals from locally owned and operated Molly Maid businesses into their homes. Molly Maid provides above and beyond, worry-free, top-notch cleaning services.
Trend: Cleaning yields positive results with mental health
Question: Do you find there’s a connection between a clean environment and physical health with your mature clientele?
Answer: Even if dust doesn’t cause an allergic reaction, it’s unsightly and can deteriorate the air quality of your home. In fact, even if you don’t have a dust allergy, the components found in dust can affect your lungs and overall health. The bulk of house dust varies considerably from home to home. It is often dirt, skin cells or fabric fibers, but could be anything that could dry and flake off. Books, carpet, rugs, upholstered furniture, fireplaces and pets all contribute to the dust load. Dirt, pollen, smoke, exhaust, sand and many other things may bring in dust from outside. In addition, mold, bacteria and dust mites are all likely to inhabit and often proliferate in dust.
How to get rid of dust in your home:
- Consider a professional cleaning company
- Keep humidity levels low, keep air circulating & change air filters regularly
- Clean from top to bottom including floors regularly
- We use a damp Microfiber cloth to dust
- Change your bedding weekly
- Don’t wear shoes in the house
- Groom your pets
- Pest control
Royal Deli Foods
112 W. Front St.
419-874-7451
Royal Deli Foods & Stewart Sandwiches is devoted to serving seniors and the homebound, providing them with fresh, nutritious and tasty home-cooked meals. With Passport and Ohio Homecare Waiver-approved service, Royal Deli Foods ensures the delivery of delicious meals and freshly made deli sandwiches every day.
Trend: Natural energy boosters in foods
Question: Do certain foods have natural energy boosters? What foods would you recommend to improve the quality of life for your mature clients?
Answer: Yes, some foods do have natural energy boosters. Fruits and vegetables are the best example of these. They have the sugars and fiber that the body needs while being low in carbs. The lower carbs help to keep energy from dwindling quickly. Green leafy vegetables are the best overall for vitamins and minerals. The best advice I have for staying healthy is to eat low fat foods. Limit salt and sugar intake. Drink plenty of water. Get as much exercise as possible and keep your mind active.
Ryan Pharmacy & Orthopedics Supply
3340 Dorr St.
419-531-2836
Ryan Pharmacy has served as Toledo’s full service pharmacy and orthopedic supply since 1959. Ryan Pharmacy has always carried the mission that service is the most important part of the business. Ryan created the full service pharmacy with everything from prescriptions and magazines to new hospital beds, walkers and wheelchairs.
