The Bermuda Heart Foundation’s website has a blunt message – in typeface you cannot miss, it says, ‘Heart Disease is Bermuda’s #1 killer’. Yet how many of us can honestly say that 1. We knew that, and 2. We knew that and are actively doing something about it? 

 The answer to #1 is probably the majority of people. The answer to #2 is probably the minority of people, yet the implications are enormous, and the costs are huge. 

Heart disease covers a range of conditions and includes blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease, defects people were born with, heart rhythm problems and disease of the heart muscle. 

The Mayo Clinic (www. mayoclinic.org) says that coronary artery disease symptoms may be different for men and women with men more likely to have chest pain. Women, according to the Mayo Clinic, are more likely to have other signs and symptoms along with chest discomfort, such as shortness of breath, nausea, and extreme fatigue. 

Signs and symptoms can include chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort; shortness of breath; pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms if the blood vessels in those parts of your body are narrowed, and pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back. 

It is possible that people are not diagnosed with coronary artery disease until they suffer from a heart attack, angina, stroke, or heart failure. The Mayo Clinic says, therefore, that it is important to watch for cardiovascular symptoms and discuss concerns with a doctor as cardiovascular disease can sometimes be found early with regular evaluations. 

If detected early, heart disease is easier to treat, so regular check-ups with a doctor are vital – especially if your family has a history of heart disease. 

Causes of heart disease depend on the type of heart disease a person has but among the most common causes is a build-up of fatty plaques in the arteries. This is caused by things like unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as a poor diet, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking. 

Other causes are having diabetes (which is very common in Bermuda), drug abuse, too much caffeine or alcohol, smoking, stress, and high blood pressure. 

 The risk factors for developing heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic, include: 

• AGE. Growing older increases your risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and a weakened or thickened heart muscle. 

• SEX. Men are generally at greater risk of heart disease. The risk for women increases after menopause. 

• FAMILY HISTORY. A family history of heart disease increases your risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a parent developed it at an early age (before age 55 for a male relative, such as your brother or father, and 65 for a female relative, such as your mother or sister). 

• SMOKING. Nicotine tightens your blood vessels, and carbon monoxide can damage their inner lining, making them more susceptible to atherosclerosis. Heart attacks are more common in smokers than in non-smokers. 

• POOR DIET. A diet that’s high in fat, salt, sugar and cholesterol can contribute to the development of heart disease. 

• HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can result in hardening and thickening of your arteries, narrowing the vessels through which blood flows. 

• HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL LEVELS. High levels of cholesterol in your blood can increase the risk of plaque formation and atherosclerosis. 

• DIABETES. Diabetes increases your risk of heart disease. Both conditions share similar risk factors, such as obesity and high blood pressure. 

• OBESITY. Excess weight typically worsens other heart disease risk factors. 

• PHYSICAL INACTIVITY. Lack of exercise also is associated with many forms of heart disease and some of its other risk factors as well. 

• STRESS. Unrelieved stress may damage your arteries and worsen other risk factors for heart disease. 

• POOR DENTAL HEALTH. It’s important to brush and floss your teeth and gums often and have regular dental check-ups. If your teeth and gums aren’t healthy, germs can enter your bloodstream and travel to your heart, causing endocarditis. 

So, what can people do to develop a healthy heart? This article is drawn from a number of different websites, such as www.webmd.com, which all offer practical advice such as eating healthily, regular exercise, quitting smoking and controlling cholesterol and blood pressure. These are all things that people can work on every day. 

In terms of eating, food should be naturally low in saturated and trans fats, salt and added sugar and rich in wholegrains, fibre, antioxidants, and unsaturated fats. 

Follow the five a day rule and eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Try and eat wholegrain cereals which include more natural grain with more nutrients like dietary fibre, B vitamins, vitamin E, and healthy fats. 

The ‘best’ fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated (omega-3 and omega-6) fats which can be found in things like fish, nuts and avocados. 

Eating too much saturated and trans-fat can elevate blood cholesterol levels. Saturated and trans fats can be found in foods like pizza, cakes, biscuits, pastries, and deep-fried foods. 

Also, eating too much salt is bad for your heart. The sodium in salt can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease so try using different spices as a substitute. 

Exercise more – don’t take the office lift, take the stairs. Join the gym, take up a sport, run with your friends, go for walks with the dog. Don’t be that typical couch potato! 

Doing regular physical activity reduces your risk of having a heart attack or developing heart disease. Keeping active helps to control common heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and being overweight. Regular physical activity can also help strengthen your bones and muscles. It can help you feel more energetic, happier, and relaxed. 

Give up smoking! It’s hard but as the saying goes, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again’. 

Lastly, if you are not sure and want more help or advice visit your doctor. Do not sit in silence, ask for help. 

The post The Heart of the Matter appeared first on RG Magazines.

ROASTED “HEART-Y” BOWLS 

Recipe from Myra Dill, Nutritionist and Behavioural Change Coach at EFit Bermuda 

You can simply roast a variety of vegetables you already have on hand or you can have some fun with different roasting flavors. Here’s one of my favorite mixes below using as much local produce as I can. I also love to simply roast whatever veggies I have on hand (carrots, peppers, onions etc) 

BASE 

1 bag or bunch, Baby spinach 

2 cups prepared cauliflower rice OR package of couscous made per directions 

CILANTRO-LIME BLACK BEANS 

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed 

½ cup frozen corn 

½ tsp ground cumin 

½ tsp salt 

¼ cup chopped basil 

2 TBSP fresh lime juice 

To make: In a small saucepan on medium heat, combine black beans, corn, ground cumin, and salt and cook until warm. Add chopped basil and fresh lime juice. 

BERMUDA HONEY – CHILI SWEET POTATOES 

2 TBSP olive oil 

2 TBSP Bermuda honey 

1 tsp chili powder 

¼ tsp cayenne 

¼ tsp salt 

2 medium sweet potatoes, 1/2-inch chunks 

To make: Whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, chili powder, cayenne, and salt. Toss with sweet potatoes. Roast on rimmed baking sheet at 425°F until golden brown and tender, stirring halfway through, 35 to 40 minutes (or 18 mins in air fryer at 400F) 

MARINATED BRUSSELS SPROUTS 

2 TBSP balsamic vinegar 

2 TBSP olive oil 

1 TBSP Dijon mustard 

¼ tsp salt 

¼ tsp Pepper 

1 lb Bermuda Brussels sprouts, halved 

To make: Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Toss with halved brussels sprouts. Roast on a rimmed baking sheet at 425°F until liquid has evaporated, 20 minutes. (Or add to air fryer for 9 mins while potatoes are halfway done) 

DIRECTIONS 

Assemble bowls: Combine spinach, couscous, black beans, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts. 

Add a protein: I love adding roasted chickpeas or hemp seed hearts or add a 6-minute boiled egg or some feta or goat cheese. You can also top this with shrimp, salmon, or to keep it budget friendly, add drained tinned tuna (in water). 

Top with extra herbs – basil, cilantro or chopped fennel to add additional layers of flavor and eye appeal. 

Serves 4. Estimated cost per serving if using additional egg and hempseed heart is $5.80 per person (using produce bought from local farmers) 

HEARTY WINTER VEGETABLE AND WHITE BEAN STEW WITH KALE 

by Chef Ben Tompkins 

2 TBSP Vegetable oil, plus 1 tsp separated 

4 oz Button mushrooms, halved 

2 medium Spanish onions, diced 

1 tsp kosher salt, divided 

1 cup carrot, peeled and diced 

1 cup celery, trimmed and diced 

1 fresh fennel, wispy greens and core removed, diced 

4 cups Winter veg mix – ex. turnip, rutabaga, parsnip, (avoid beets) peeled, trimmed, and diced – see step 1 

4+1 garlic cloves, minced 

1 can 28 oz whole plum tomatoes from Italy – no calcium chloride 

2 can 15 oz cannellini beans or another white bean, drained and rinsed 

2 cups potato, peeled and diced, in 2 cups water 

1 box 32 oz vegetable stock 

1 TBSP dry Italian seasoning 

1t ground black pepper 

2 cups white cabbage, thinly sliced (or a bag of slaw mix!) 

1 zucchini, trimmed and diced 

4 cups fresh kale, stalks removed, cut in large dice 

¼ cup packed fresh parsley, finely chopped 

¼ cup packed fresh basil and oregano, finely chopped 

2 TBSP fresh Parmesan (optional) 

¼ cup High quality Extra Virgin olive oil 

Additional herbs, cheese, and oil for serving 

DIRECTIONS 

1. Peel, pare, and trim ALL vegetables and herbs. Place unusable trim (potato peel, kale stalks, waxed rutabaga rind, dirty roots) in compost immediately. Place all usable trim (onion & garlic skin, carrot peels, celery tips, etc.) in a saucepan and cover with 3 cups cold water and bring to a boil, then simmer. 
2. Meanwhile, decide on the size you will dice your vegetables. It’s your choice. Too big however and it’s difficult to eat with a spoon – too small and some vegetables will disintegrate before others finish cooking. I like a generous ¼” cube. Once peeled, I like to roughly square up the rounder roots (except potatoes) and add the trim to the stock pot along with any herb stalks and a bay leaf. 
3. Heat 8 qt Dutch oven, or large soup pot, on medium heat. When hot, add 2 TBSP oil and heat briefly. Add onions, mushrooms and ½ tsp kosher salt. Stir vigorously to combine and increase heat to medium high. Cook 5 minutes until veg begin to sweat. 
4. Add carrot, celery, fennel, and winter veg mix. Stir to combine and continue to sweat an additional 8 minutes or so. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. When veg begins to colour – push to one side of the pot. Add remaining 1 tsp vegetable oil to now empty side of the pot and drop in 4 cloves of minced garlic. Stir gently in oil until fragrant then fold in. 
5. Add canned tomatoes – using juice to deglaze bottom of the pot. Add diced potatoes and the 2 cups of water, beans, box of stock, dried herbs, and pepper. Carefully drain homemade stock into stockpot, gently pressing to release juice. Compost solids. Bring stew to one boil, reduce heat and simmer gently 30 minutes. 
6. Increase heat and return to boil. Add cabbage (or slaw mix), zucchini, and kale to pot. Use back of spoon to gently submerge kale into stew. Bring back to a simmer and cook 30 minutes more. 
7. To finish – smash remaining garlic clove with the side of your knife. Sprinkle remaining salt on mashed garlic and continued to mince. Add chopped herbs and continue to chop and mix into a paste. Remove stew from heat and stir in herb/garlic paste and olive oil. Taste and season gently and repeat as needed. 
8. Finish with Parmesan cheese if desired. 

The post Food that’s good for your Heart appeared first on RG Magazines.

Family Centre responded to the pandemic by encouraging and promoting a ‘Mentally Healthy Bermuda’. 

In the early stages of the pandemic, our focus was on helping families to immediately access resources to meet their basic needs such as food and the technology needed to stay connected to the rest of the world during lockdown. 

Our therapeutic services remained accessible as we moved them to a virtual platform and provided public messages to our community that we were still providing help to children and their families during this unprecedented and stressful time. We actively used our social media forums to advise the community of the local resources available to assist them. 

Family Centre also provided a counsellor to assist individuals in crisis on the Government of Bermuda’s Emotional Wellbeing Hotline. 

Family Centre was designated as an essential service with the support of the Third Sector Coordinated Crisis Response (CCRE) and other remarkable individuals, families, and corporate donors who specifically gave funds to support children and families in need because of the pandemic. This support was critical to putting food on the tables of many families in our programmes and services as well as access to the technology needed to stay connected with us, the local media and with their children’s schools. 

The therapeutic team at Family Centre developed and launched the 5C Challenge. The challenge promoted wellness by encouraging families to practice the “5 Cs” (Connecting, Calming, Cooking, Creating and Caring) for physical and emotional wellbeing. 

Family Centre produced and aired on Bermuda Broadcasting Station a televised Mental Health Panel featuring local partners with expertise in different areas of emotional wellbeing. The panel was moderated by our Executive Director, Dr Sandy De Silva, who is also a Registered Clinical Psychologist. The panel discussion covered mental health matters related to children, adults, couples, and families, as well as addictions and employer-employee related matters. 

Family Centre continued its community awareness campaign on the impact of domestic abuse on children given the rise of domestic violence during lockdown. Information was placed on grocery carts and local television reminding adults to stop and think about the impact of their actions on the often-ignored victims of domestic abuse which are the children in background. 

We honoured World Children’s Day in November inviting primary schools, friends of Family Centre, partners, and donors to celebrate the day by wearing blue and bringing awareness to children’s rights. 

The international call to action this year was to “reimagine a better future for every child.” While children in our community and around the world may not be the “face” of the Coronavirus, they are at risk of becoming its hidden victims. 

The global increase in violence is a disturbing indicator that many young people aged 18 and under have experienced some form of early life trauma in any of the many forms of violence during the continuing pandemic. Family Centre is committed to ensure that World Children’s Day serves as a reminder of our common responsibility to protect the rights and well-being of all children, especially the children in our own community. 

Throughout the pandemic, free Counselling Services were provided to children and their families on confidential telehealth platforms. We continued to accept new clients for counselling. 

Our Community Programmes were also delivered remotely to the youth and their families enrolled in our Youth Leadership Academy and Beyond Rugby programmes. Family Centre continued our advocacy work with our Family Forum community group and partners especially in critical spaces such as the Youth Development Zone. 

As of July 1, 2020, we returned to in-person delivery of programmes and services at Sunshine League House. With strict adherence to the Government’s COVID-19 Guidelines, we held our children’s specialized camps, youth summer projects and commenced in-person counselling services. 

As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on family life and the wellbeing of children, it is clear Family Centre’s services and programmes are needed now more than ever. Already there is an increase in demand for mental health services in Bermuda. 

We are encouraged that families are putting up their hands to receive the help they need rather than suffer in silence. Our programmes and services are provided at no cost to families, thanks to dedicated and generous private and corporate donors who are working to ensure that Bermuda’s families remain supported. 

For more information on Family Centre Programmes and Services please visit www.tfc.bm or email us at [email protected] or call us at 232-1116. 

The post Stabilizing Families and Supporting Mental Wellness in a Pandemic appeared first on RG Magazines.

 Always a popular option when your fridge is empty, or if you just don’t want to cook, take-out dining in Bermuda has boomed over the last two years with the launch of the Sargasso Sea food delivery app. 

 Add a pandemic into the mix and your take-out options are no longer limited to trusty fast food, sushi, or curry options. Fine dining restaurants now offer upmarket take-out food, and a wider variety of restaurants cater or deliver whole dinner parties. Want to get out of the house, but don’t want to risk going inside? ‘Curb side pick-up’ has become a new phrase in our vocabulary. Spoilt for choice? Here are some ideas: 

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: 

Specialty Inn: A veteran of the Bermudian take-out scene, Specialty Inn literally has something for every member of the family including take-home pizza making kits for the kids. Collector’s Hill; specialtyinn.bm 

Village Pantry: A family restaurant with a child-friendly menu, the Village Pantry is renowned for their delicious cuisine for difficult diets. 8 North Shore Road, Flatts; villagepantry.bm 

DINNER PARTY FROM HOME: 

Bolero: Traditionally considered more of an eat-in restaurant, you can now enjoy their ‘bodacious burgers’ to go as well as any of their other mouth-watering starters, mains, sides and ‘afters’. 95 Front Street; bolerobrasserie.com 

Portofino: Don’t see the dish you want on their take-out or catering menus? Call them up and they will strive to provide whatever your tastebuds require. Their staff will deliver your dinner party food in advance, with instructions. Portofino-made cocktails optional. 20 Bermudiana Road; portofino.bm 

IN-HOUSE DATE NIGHT: 

Huckleberry: The HB@Home section of Huckleberry’s website has everything you need to make your date night delicious. Be warned: You might fall out with your loved one over the last butterscotch pecan cronut. 61 Pitts Bay Road; huckleberrybda.com 

Harbourfront: Meat, veggie, fish, or sushi lovers are all catered for on Harbourfront’s take-out menu. Lay it out in style on your table and voila! A five-star meal to go. 40 Crow Lane; harbourfront.bm 

TAKE OUT AL FRESCO: 

Gulfstream: Conveniently located above Horseshoe Bay, pick up a Gulfstream pizza before heading down to your ready-made beach picnic. 117 South Road; bermuda-dining.com/gulfstream 

Burger shack: Carry out your loaded burger, salad or dessert from this Bermudiana Road eatery and enjoy it with the view from Barr’s Bay Park. 10 Bermudiana Road; burgershack.bm 

Wahoo’s: What better way to enjoy the views and ambiance of the Olde Towne than with a fish sandwich or box of wahoo nuggets in hand? 36 Water Street; wahoos.bm 

 WORKING FROM HOME FIX: 

If you’re stuck working from home and missing the office kitchen supplies or the convenience of being in the City, hop onto Sargasso Sea and order a caffeine fix, pick-me-up smoothie, tasty mid-morning snack or filling lunch from Brew, Devil’s Isle, The Hamilton Pastry Shop or Nonna’s Kitchen. 

All the above restaurants will deliver either via Sargasso Sea (sargassosea.app) or Five Star Home Delivery (fivestarhomedeliveryrds. com), (or both), or you can arrange curb-side pick-up. Not all take-out menu items are available for delivery. 

The post Opportunity in Disaster | Takeout Treats appeared first on RG Magazines.

It goes without saying that the events of the past year have challenged families to pull together like never before. In your seventies, where you once might have looked forward to weekly or even daily visits with the grandchildren to the point that you almost took this time together for granted, you now savor even the simplest form of human interaction.

As much as it is tempting to long for the things you have lost, the social distancing requirements of the pandemic are also an opportunity to strengthen your internet skills and stretch yourself to become more virtually connected to your younger family members than ever before. 

Trying to work, supervise home schooling, get the groceries ordered, and cook three meals a day can be a stressful juggling act for even the most accomplished millennial mom, and internet-savvy elders can provide them with a much-needed break by spending some quality time online with the grandkids. 

The many ways to help virtually with schoolwork include helping children to practice their reading skills, quizzing them on their times tables, helping them study for an upcoming spelling test, or assisting with research assignments. And don’t underestimate how much your younger grandchildren might enjoy a virtual teddy bear tea party or a simple bedtime story.

You can also spend quality time online with teens by watching a video together, supervising baking or pizza making, or doing crafts and art projects together, thereby creating the perfect opportunity to chat with them about their goals for the future, or help them investigate online courses, career options or employment possibilities.

If you are able-bodied, you might also be able to lend a “social-distanced” hand walking the family dog, weeding the garden, planting a family vegetable patch, assisting with exterior home repairs, or swinging by your local grocery store for their curbside grocery pickup and then depositing the shopping bags on the front porch of your relative’s home. 

You’ve heard the expression that “families that play together stay together” but have you considered all the other little ways that families depend on each other for advice and support, or just a safe place to vent their frustrations? 

Yes, it might be a little awkward to ask your younger relatives how they are managing financially during a group video call, but don’t rule out the idea of scheduling someone one-on-one time with your adult child to go over the numbers and strategies for stretching a dollar in new ways. 

The key to maintaining strong family bonds in the age of COVID-19 is simple – be open minded and flexible, listen when they just need to talk, and offer virtual support and assistance in any way you can think of.

The post Pulling Together During Difficult Times appeared first on RG Magazines.

Your neighbourhood pharmacist has long been a trusted figure that people turned to for wellness advice. This role has intensified since the arrival of COVID-19, with pharmacists worldwide playing a key role in helping people stay well while they are social distancing – and also to minimize the spread of the pandemic.

Here in Bermuda, all pharmacists are committed to ensuring that access to health services remain readily available and that they can continue to safely interact directly with members of the community. In addition to following all Ministry of Health guidelines, pharmacies from Robertson’s in St. Georges, to Somerset Pharmacy in Mangrove Bay are also offering free delivery to encourage island residents to stay home and stay safe.

Your neighbourhood pharmacist has long been your trusted advisor on everything from sprained ankles, to blood sugar monitoring, constipation, headache remedies and vitamin supplements.  But now, like never before, your pharmacist is also your “go-to” expert for advice on wellness, social distancing, hygiene strategy, disease prevention, and infection control.

“At the moment, pharmacists are the only healthcare professionals that anyone can consult face-to-face without even making an appointment,” commented Siân Bowen, Chief Pharmacist for Phoenix Stores. “A lot of people have been putting off seeing the doctor due to the pandemic and we offer extended hours seven days a week to accommodate everyone.”

Even pharmacies in outlying parishes have noticed an increase in business over the last year. Once the lockdown started, Robertson’s in St. Georges began to see new shoppers who were suddenly working remotely from home and these customers have continued to visit the store.

In accordance with government guidelines, plexiglass has been installed in all pharmacy locations to protect both customers and staff, and pharmacists are rethinking their interactions with customers to limit touch points as much as possible.

“That said, customers are welcome to discuss their medications in person and our pharmacists are also happy to provide phone consultations for anyone who is elderly, or quarantining and can’t get out”, Ms. Bowen explained. “Thanks to the internet there are all sorts of COVID-19 wellness trends floating about, and we play an important role in helping to dispel myths and ensure that people get correct information”.

Bermuda pharmacies also offer a range of wellness services including blood pressure and weight monitoring at Clarendon, the Phoenix, Collector’s Hill, and Warwick locations; and many stores can also provide a free generic meter for diabetes management.

Given the high cost of medications, it is not surprising that many people are currently struggling to pay for their prescriptions and local pharmacies are supporting their customers with a variety of initiatives including seniors’ discounts.

Head Pharmacist at the Bermuda Diabetes Foundation Melissa Levy explains: “As a result of the pandemic quite a number of people are either under-insured, or un-insured and are finding it difficult to afford medication” she said. “We want people to know that our pharmacy is for everyone, not just those with diabetes.

Given that one of the best ways to reduce the cost of your medications is to take better care of yourself, we have introduced a number of new programs to improve and promote wellness of island residents.

Our ‘Know Your Diabetes’ program is a teaching breakfast workshop which focuses on self-care, meal planning, and starting the day with a healthy, safe breakfast as a means to promote wellness, and thereby reduce the incidence of complications which can be very expensive.”

The “Know Your Medications” program offers individuals the opportunity to make an appointment to have all of their medications reviewed by a pharmacist who will offer advice including the best time to take medications to improve effectiveness, help avoid side effects, as well as looking for possible adverse drug interactions. 

“As we are a charity, the Bermuda Diabetes Association also has a Client Assistance Program (CAP) to help individuals cover the cost of medications on a short-term basis, and recipients are selected as a result of an interview process,” she shared.

For more information regarding the location of your nearest pharmacy, their hours of operation, and the services that they are providing, please consult google maps.

The post Filling the Gap During the Pandemic appeared first on RG Magazines.

Looking for a way to get a little fresh air, exercise and boost your vitamin D intake this winter? Look no further than Bermuda’s many golf venues where sun, sand-traps, and social distancing are the new normal.

All of Bermuda’s golf venues are open and adhering to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines to ensure health and safety of staff and patrons alike and offer a range of activities to suit enthusiasts of all ages, stages of life and skill levels. 

Starting at the East End you can enjoy a nine- or eighteen-hole round of golf at Tucker’s Point golf course whose undulating fairways feature elevated tees, dramatic water views and quick putting surfaces. In addition to regular rounds of gold they feature a year-round “9 Hole Sundown Series” and also offer a Senior’s Discount. Unsure your game is up to scratch? Not to worry, they also offer a myriad of private and group lessons to help you brush up everything from your short game to bunker shots.

Heading over to Devonshire, Ocean View Golf Course on Barkers Hill has a 4-Star Golf Digest rating and offers a nine-hole course with a tricky Par 70 in tranquil surroundings just a short seven-minute drive from the City of Hamilton. Their budget friendly “Play All Day” fee and $5 driving range make golf an affordable option for just about everyone.

As you start to drive westward, don’t forget to check out Belmont Hills Golf Course whose narrow fairways and multi-tiered greens offer a challenge for any handicap and also has dining options available at both Divots and Blu Bar & Grill. 

Despite the fact that the hotel is closed for renovations, the Turtle Hill Golf Club on the grounds of the Fairmont Southampton Princess is open all winter and features a par three course with manicured fairways and water vistas making it no wonder that it was Winner of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play Golf”. Check out the back nine for a leisurely round of “Sunset Golf” and be sure to take advantage of their Walking rate for a budget friendly option.

They have also pioneered Foot Golf, a fun activity for the young and young at heart and the newest sport to come to Bermuda, which is played by kicking a soccer ball into extra-large “golf” cups on the golf course. To make your reservations, contact the golf shop at Turtle Hill.

Looking for a PGA level challenge to go with your whale watching? Check out Port Royal on Middle Road, home of the Bermuda Championship and the island’s longest golf course which offers sunset golf, a special rate for island residents, as well as an added discount for seniors.

If a fun family outing is more to your liking why not try the Bermuda Golf Academy on Industrial Park Road, Southampton? Bermuda Fun Golf at the Dockyard, with holes inspired by famous golf courses, offers a driving range as well as mini golf and is currently operating Thursday to Sunday from noon to 10:00 pm.

For more information, or to book a tee time, visit your favourite golf venue website. 

The post Sun, Sand Traps, and Social Distancing appeared first on RG Magazines.

We know that there are some residents who are concerned about getting vaccinated now that the Pfizer-BioNTech is available in Bermuda. In this article, I will outline some of the main benefits.

To start, let me speak about vaccines in general. Globally, vaccines save millions of lives each year and prevent countless more from contracting a variety of viral diseases. Indeed, the only human disease ever to be eradicated (Smallpox) was by vaccination. After clean water and good sanitation, vaccination is the single most important action an individual can take to protect themselves and their loved ones. This has never been more important as we seek to reduce the social, economic, and health impacts of the COVID-19 onslaught.    

The COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19 disease.

All COVID-19 vaccines currently licenced have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19. Indeed, the Pfizer vaccine that we currently have has been shown to be 95% effective when individuals take the two doses that are recommended.

Getting vaccinated yourself will also protect people around you.

If sufficient people in the country are vaccinated, the virus is less able to spread as the number of susceptible people is low, creating dead end infections. This means that you are not only able to protect yourself but also help protect the people you interact with, especially those at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Those individuals in higher risk groups include the elderly and those who are extremely clinically vulnerable. If you have any questions about your vulnerability, please talk with your primary care physician.

COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to help build protection

Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, known as immunity. However, experts don’t know for sure how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an immune response without having to experience sickness. Protection from the vaccine has been shown to be superior to that from natural infection.

COVID-19 vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic

Wearing masks, physical distancing, good hand hygiene, and downloading the WeHealth Bermuda app will help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to 

others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. We owe it to ourselves, to our loved ones and to the Bermudian community at large to use every tool at our disposal to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus.

For information on vaccines and how the COVID-19 vaccination will be administered, as well as frequently asked questions on the vaccine, visit www.gov.bm/vaccines.

To register your interest in receiving the vaccine go to https://forms.gov.bm/covidvaccine

The post The benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine appeared first on RG Magazines.

It is often said that the retirement years are the best years of your life. While I don’t dispute that, there is a caveat. 

In our employment years, we were guided by others. We had a job to do, usually set out by the company or the boss. We simply did it. In other words, our weekdays were mapped out for us. We followed the path as determined by others. 

But times have changed. We are now older and most likely not in full-time employment. We may have a part-time job, or we may look after the grandkids, but each day can present the same challenge – “What am I going to do today?” 

So, how do we stay relevant? How do we keep busy? How do we avoid the dreaded retirement boredom? It can be a serious challenge for many of us. 

The solution is what I call “The three Principles of Activity”: 

1. Stay physically active 

2. Stay mentally active 

3. Stay psychologically active 

STAY PHYSICALLY ACTIVE 

Without doubt, as we age “up” our body starts to break down. We have medical ailments that persist. We may need medication more. The body slows down and sometimes the knees don’t get started until way past ten o’clock in the morning. Yet the solution is relatively straightforward – keep active. 

Brian O’Hara, former Chairman and CEO of the XL Group can certainly relate to this. He says, 

“(My wife) Nancy and I love to play golf and tennis and would do one or the other every day but for another issue that comes with age, the body begins to break down on some of us. For me, my knee required replacement and unfortunately it acquired a staph infection from the surgery which required three additional surgeries over the year. This year my hip required replacement which fortunately is recovering very well. Now I’m finally getting back to the golf and tennis plus using the gym equipment to rebuild strength and endurance.” 

STAY MENTALLY ACTIVE 

The brain is a wonderful organ. It has kept you going for decades, now it’s time you gave it a helping hand. It doesn’t like to be idle. In fact, your brain downright hates to be “asleep”. It needs to be intentionally stimulated because if you help your brain, your brain will help you to maintain purpose and relevance in life. 

Brian agrees. “While I read a lot of business articles online to keep up with the latest trends and developments, especially in my industry, I also took on the project of writing a memoir which kept me busy daily during the entire 2019 year. Brian’s book is called “It’s not the Score, It’s the Trip” and is available on Amazon. 

STAY PSYCHOLOGICALLY ACTIVE 

Perhaps the most important “activity” as we age is being at peace with ourselves, our life, and our approach to life. 

We may have to accept that our mind and body are in slower motion these days, but the trick is to essentially ignore this fact and get on with life. Losing interest in life is the fastest way to accelerate deterioration. We need stimulation or what I call “Psycho-Motivation”. 

THE PLAN 

As we approach retirement, we are often convinced that we need a plan. We need a list of things to do, or things we have always wanted to do, such as that Caribbean cruise. 

The problem, though, is sticking to the plan. It’s like New Year resolutions – we say we will lose weight this year and by January 15th we’ve forgotten all about it. 

The concern is that the resolution only lasted for a few days, but this retirement gig is for the rest of your life. Not a few days but many years – perhaps up to another third of your life. 

Brian said, “When I retired in 2010, Nancy asked me to not accept business activities for one year which I did and found to be a great choice. It allowed me to unwind from the intense stress I experienced from the Financial Crisis of 2008 – 2010. 

In 2011 I began to be open to accepting Insurance and Reinsurance business activities but only if they involved new and/or original products, or game changing activities which I have been doing with great satisfaction. I also ruled out being on any Public Corporate Boards – Private only.” 

But don’t be fooled into thinking that once you have developed your plan that your life is sorted. It isn’t. 

Things change day by day. What you thought a great idea when you retired didn’t work out, but instead of finding a substitute, you dropped it completely. Not good. 

Your plan must be realistic and achievable. It must be flexible, and you must adapt it to changing circumstances or new ideas or simply mood swings. You can’t beat yourself up for not accomplishing that grand plan from a few years back. 

The critical thing is to be aware that things will change, and you must adapt to changes – and seek new things to do, new ideas, new people to meet, new hobbies etc. These changes may be internal – where you decide to do something different – or the change may be external – where actions from other people or events cause you to re-think and re-structure. 

Regardless, staying relevant in your later years is essential to your well-being – physically, mentally, and psychologically. Purpose in life provides peace, comfort, and hopefully, lots of joy. 

The post Staying Relevant as You Age appeared first on RG Magazines.

Elizabeth Stewart’s mother was 67 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and she had nowhere to turn for information or support. She was given no information about how to find a caregiver; what’s covered by insurance; advice on medications and medical check-ups; and many other questions that flooded her mind as she came to terms with her mother’s diagnosis. 

She said she felt a sense of isolation. “Back then you literally left the doctor’s office with a diagnosis and no advice or follow-up. There was nowhere to turn. 

“Mom seemed so young to have this condition and I needed to find ways to help her. We also didn’t know what to do, or who to turn to, as her condition progressed.” 

To spare other families from the stress and worry of no information or support, Liz founded Action on Alzheimer’s & Dementia (AAD) Bermuda in 2012. The charity organised a three-day dementia care-training workshop for Bermuda’s health care workers facilitated by trainers from Dementia UK. It was an approach that would help as many people as possible and the workshop – that trained more than 100 healthcare workers – was oversubscribed -showing strong interest and a wide knowledge gap. 

Ms. Stewart is still grateful for the support she received from XL for hosting that first workshop that launched the work of the charity. 

Nine years on, the organisation provides ongoing services for people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, such as group activity sessions at church halls, music, arts and crafts, movement classes, and chair yoga. 

Ms Stewart said, “We also take these activities into care homes because there is otherwise a real lack of engagement for residents in care homes, unless they are in large enough homes to have an activities coordinator. Most residents have nothing to do all day except sit in a chair – which is not very stimulating.” 

Due to the pandemic, the activities are now online which has extended the reach of the programmes. Ms Stewart said, “We do activity sessions over Zoom now. If you’re on our mailing list, we send out the zoom details for anyone who wants to join by computer or iPad right from your home. The care homes can call in as well, for their residents. 

“The activities are really important. It keeps people moving and active, it gives them something to do and enjoy, along with a sense of purpose.” 

AAD also runs a support group meeting once a month for families of people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. It’s a safe place for family members to ask questions and share stories. 

AAD encourages people to ask more about their diagnosis from their GP and to find out the cause of their Dementia. Is it Alzheimer’s diseases, vascular dementia, or some other form of dementia? There can be different treatment plans for different diagnoses. 

Marie Fay, Bermuda’s Occupational Therapist specialising in Dementia care, works with AAD. She provides free home assessments, occupational therapy, and weekly activity groups for those living with Dementia. 

Ms Stewart said, “It’s wonderful for the family to get a good, impartial picture of what’s happening with their loved one, especially if they don’t yet see the signs. You may think someone is fine but when an OT spends half a day with them and can report on how well they did, how self-sufficient they are, or not, and whether they are caring for themselves safely, these are things that the family doesn’t always see. Maybe they left the stove on – or they caught the bus and got off at the wrong stop – or they almost left their wallet somewhere – or were overly generous with their money.” 

“Seeing these early signs can help families plan ahead. We often see people at the point of crisis, when the condition becomes unmanageable and they need a caregiver in a hurry. It’s always better for the patient and the family when we start thinking and planning early in the process”, she said. 

Action on Alzheimer’s & Dementia maintains a large list of interested parties and sends monthly newsletters with information and articles to support them. They also share the latest information from Alzheimer’s Disease International with access to their online educational calls. 

Ms Stewart said, “We help people with any questions they have. We’ve helped find caregivers before, we’ve helped navigate the government system of financial assistance, ageing and disabilities and we’re filling a hole of what’s not available through the Government. We’ve been the social worker in some cases, the liaison between families and insurance companies, and more.” 

“We really encourage people over 60 to plan for their future now. We generally don’t like to think about ‘What happens when I die or if I become incapacitated’ – nobody wants to think about these things, but we really should.” 

More information and contact details for Action on Alzheimer’s & Dementia (AAD) can be found online at: www. Alzbermuda.com 

The post Action on Alzheimer’s & Dementia (AAD): Bermuda services for Age 60+ appeared first on RG Magazines.