Program Highlights & Upcoming Events

• 30 Minute Fitness: Interested in  a high intensity 30 minute workout?  Join us every Friday in the Well from 12:15-12:45pm for “30 minute fit” to get your sweat on.  Please note this class is fast past and is not low impact in nature!
• New Zumba Hours: Tuesdays from 5:30-6:15pm
• Southgate Community Celebration: We are pleased to announce that South East Grey Community Health Centre has been the recipient of an Ontario Trillium Foundation seed grant for $75,000 that will establish and deliver community-based programs for isolated seniors in the Township of Southgate.  Please join us on Tuesday, March 12th at 1:00pm for a community celebration at the Erskine Community Health Centre

• Acute pain, tingling, numbness, and itching on a specific part of the skin, on a single side of the body.
• Between 1 and 5 days after the pain begins, a rash appears.
• Red blotches emerge that develop into itchy fluid-filled blisters.
• The rash looks like chickenpox but only on the band of skin supplied by the affected nerve.
• The rash may involve the face, eyes, mouth, and ears in some cases.
• Sometimes, the blisters merge, forming a solid red band that looks like a severe burn.
• In rare cases (among people with weakened immune systems) the rash may be more extensive and look similar to a chicken pox rash. 
• If shingles affects the eye, this is called optical shingles. The virus invades an ophthalmic nerve and causes painful eye inflammation and temporary or permanent loss of vision.
• New blisters may appear for up to a week.
• Inflammation might be noted in the soft tissue under and around the rash.
• People with lesions on the torso may feel spasms of pain at the gentlest touch.
• The blisters will gradually dry up and form scabs or crusts within 7-10 days. At this point, the rash is no longer considered infectious.
• Minor scarring may occur where the blisters have been.
• A shingles episode normally lasts 2-4 weeks.In some cases, there is a rash but no pain, or no visible rash but a band of pain.  It is important to see your Primary Care Provider within 72 hours if you think that you may have shingles.  The sooner an Antiviral is prescribed within that 72 hour window; you may shorten the duration and severity of the infection.  The antiviral medication will be covered by your Ontario Drug Benefits. 

1.  Zostavax: one dose and it does not protect everyone, so some people who get the vaccine may still get the shingles.  It is believed to have a prevention of about 49-51%.  However, if you develop shingles despite being vaccinated, it can help reduce the intensity and duration of the pain.  It has not been studied in individuals who have had Shingles in the past and is not used to treat Shingles actively. Side effects include pain, redness, swelling, hard lump, itching warmth, and bruising, at the injection site. It should not be used if you have a blood disorder or any type of cancer that weakens your immune system, a weakened immune system as a result of a disease, mediation or other treatment , active or untreated tuberculosis or if you are pregnant. Free of Charge for those aged 65-70, the cost outside that age group is $244 + dispensing fees and usually covered by 3^rd party insurance plan.
2. Shingrix: is a two dose vaccine and is the only vaccine proven to be up to 90% effective in clinical trials.  You should not receive Shingrix if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of Shingrix.  The most common side effects are pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, fever, and upset stomach.  Shingrix was not studied in pregnant or nursing women. May not protect all individuals. Shingrix is given as a 2-dose series, with the second shot administered 2 to 6 months after the first shot. To ensure you get the protection against shingles offered by this vaccination, it's important to get both shots. If you’ve already received your first dose. Shingrix costs about $300 for the two injections + dispensing fees ($150 per injection) and usually covered by 3^rd party insurance plans. If you have had Zostavax in the past, you may still get the Shingrix Vaccine, speak to your health care provider.

• Eat a variety of healthy foods
  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
  • Eat whole grain foods
  • Eat protein foods - choosing plant based foods, such as beans and legumes, more often. Choose foods with healthy fats – choose unsaturated fats more often than saturated fats. Unsaturated fats include nuts, seeds, avocado, soft margarine, vegetable oils and fatty fish.
• Limit highly processed foods. If you choose these foods, choose them in small amounts
  • Limit foods high in added sugars and sodium (salt)
• Make water your drink of choice
• Use food labels
  • Did you know if the nutrition facts says 5% or less =a little of something and 15% of more = a lot of something.
• Beware of food marketing
• Cook more often
• Be mindful of your eating habits
  • Take time to eat
  • Notice your hunger cues
• Enjoy your food
• Eat with others