Elderly living solutions 乐龄生活辅助 | Jasper Lodge East (Kuantan 关丹）

Our parents have spent their life caring for us.  So it's only natural that we would want the best care for them.  Studies have shown that half of those over 60years old need some form of assistance in daily living. How do you know what help do your elderly parents need?

There are a few simple tests to try.

1. The FRAIL scale 衰弱量表

Those who scored 1-3 is likely to need some help in managing basic necessities and can consider home help or assisted living.  A score of 4-5 almost always mean that person needs round the clock assistance or supervision in a Aged Care facility run by professionals rapidly especially for those with many sickness and complex medication regimes.

2. The timed up and go test (TUG)

This short YouTube video shows how the test is performed.  You can try it with your parents at home.

Those who need more than 12 seconds to complete the task will need intensive rehabilitation which includes a comprehensive and tailored physiotherapy program and good dietary plan. This may mean a medium term stay in an Aged Care facility with a dedicated rehabilitation team.

3. The abbreviated mental test 失智测量

Ask the aged the following questions:
Their age? Date of birth? Current year? Where they are now?

If they can't answer one of the questions,  they will need to be assessed by a geriatrician for possible dementia. Moderate to severe dementia makes living without full-time supervision and assistance unsafe because they may leave the stove on, take medications twice or wander out of home without knowing their way back.

Jasper Lodge East offers a comprehensive range of living solutions for the elderly.  Home care can be arranged.  Daycare programs are run in the Jasper Lodge centre. Full-time Nursing Home residency is also available for those who need.

Give us a call or contact us at our website 24/7 to find out what's best for the aged.

Jasper Lodge 

Official website 

Facebook page

Criteria for choosing a Nursing Home 怎样选疗养院 | Jasper Lodge East (Kuantan 关丹）

Do you know that our Malaysian population is ageing so rapidly that almost a quarter is 60 years and above? Unfortunately, as we age, we become more frail and may suffer from sickness so that at some point we will become dependent on the others to care for us. When the time comes, how do we choose the correct place to spend the rest of our life in?

1. Find a nursing home run by professionals.

The reason why you or your parents need help with activities of daily living means you cannot cope at home anymore. An example is an elderly parent who has just been discharged from the hospital after suffering from a stroke. He or she may not be able to move one side of the body freely-- this may make toilet trips and feeding self impossible. Besides getting professional nurses to assist in these basic necessities, recovery from stroke also needs months of daily intensive and guided physiotherapy to regain maximal strength and function of the muscles. Risk factors for developing another stroke should be minimized by treating risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and high cholesterol by an experienced doctor who is trained in caring for the old called geriatrician. Another lay person will need a lot of training and experience to care for the elderly. 

2. Find a nursing home which has a good dietary plan.

Getting older does not mean that one can ignore having a good diet because there are just very few years left to live. As we age, our body loses the capacity to absorb nutrients and many bodily functions also deteriorate with wear and tear. This is why a healthy diet is extremely important. A biscuit and tea diet, very commonly found in elderlies who have no means to cook for themselves, can jeopardize their health. A healthy meal can be planned using the Suku Suku Separuh plate. Everyone should have 3 main meals and 2 teatimes during the day. This means a quarter of the plate should be filled with rice/grain/bread, a quarter with meat/chicken/fish, a quarter with fruits and the last quarter with vegetables. 

3. Find a nursing home which offers an attractive social program.

Many old people are lonely. Their adult children are busy with work and caring for their own family. The parents do not want to appear needy by demanding their children for regular visit. After all, the grandchildren need more time with the parents, no? But this means many elderly suffers from loneliness and depression. They long for companionship and a good support network from others. So it's very important to have social activities such as support group, religious fellowship, art and craft, as well as gardening activities in the center. 

Jasper Lodge East is coming to Kuantan soon. Its nursing home fulfills all the criteria listed above. And it's a subsidiary from Jasper Lodge-- a trusted elderly living solution led by qualified doctors and nurses, as well as physiotherapists and social workers experienced in caring for the elderly and the needed. It's not just a place to live in, but it offers all the help that one can possibly need after losing independence. Jasper Lodge also aims for our residents to live in privacy, dignity and respect. 

We know you want the best for your elderly parents. Send in your enquiries now. Jasper Lodge has a 24 hours hotline to answer all your burning questions.

Jasper Lodge 

Official website 

Facebook page

Artistic DIY home painting | Nippon Paint Momento Special Effect Paint Review

I have always wanted to repaint this wall in the master bedroom. The paint 4years back has started to crack and peel.

The workmanship of that particular wall sadly was also rough and uneven.  So i thought this pot of Nippon Paint Momento Special Effect Paint  from the Home tester club came just in time.

Each set came with 1L of primer and 1L of special effect paint. I chose ultraviolet not just because purple is my favorite color but also because it matches the rest of the bedroom. This special effect paint is made for interior walls. It also came with a set of brush,  spatula and ruler.

Furthermore,  this Nippon Paint series has low VOC, low odour and does not contain heavy metals such as mercury,  lead and chrome. I could hardly smell the paint a few hours afterwards.

How to apply?

This is a short YouTube video about how to paint using the Momento Special Effect Paint.

Paint primer using roller.
Paint two layers of the special effect paint in a crisscross manner.
Wait for 15mins.
Use the spatula to create more texture when the paint is still semidry.
Leave air dry for at least an hour.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

On the left is the old paint. The right panel is Nippon Momento.

I used to hate the rough workmanship on this wall in my bedroom.  And the old paint has started to bubble and peel off now. But now it's become so artistic after I painted it using Nippon Moment Special Effect Paint. It gave such a textured appearance to the wall and concealed the uneven and rough surface so well.

It's also very easy to apply. For a person who rarely does any paintwork nor artwork, it's incredibly easy to paint. The color is shimmering and paint at just the right consistency because it did not drip to the floor at all even though i didn't cover it with any protective surface.

Want to try it yourself? 

Nippon Momento Special Effect Paint website

Water free facial cleansing | Phasilab Instant Demake Series

I love putting on makeup. It instantly fix all the flaws including the pigmented areas, area of breakouts, eye bags and dark circles. Using simple things like eyeliner and lipstick can make the face look vibrant.  But I hate taking makeup off. It requires multiple steps and lots of time which I simply don't have. Therefore,  I'm so excited to discover Phasilab Instant Demake Series by Cosderm.

Cosderm is a skincare company proudly owned by Malaysians which bring big brands to us. This includes Phasilab, Revision Skincare, PK24 Advanced and Hydropeptide. It emphasizes on medical skincare endorsed by physicians. The products are 100% genuine and imported,  as well as approved by US FDA.

This series of Phasilab products uses the micellar water technology. They function as cleanser, makeup remover and toner. By immersing a cotton pad with a few drops of Phasilab Demake, the surfactant is attached to the cotton on one side with another end free to bind impurities and makeup. In other words,  the micelles are like microscopic magnets that effectively cleanse and leave nothing behind. Simply wipe the face in circular motions and repeat until the cotton pad becomes clean. There's no rinsing required.

The Phasilab Demake Series can be used on the face,  lips, eyes and decollete. It's equally important to remove makeup from all these areas.

It's made of potent ingredients but free of harmful paraben, alcohol and artificial fragrance. Tested by dermatologist,  Phasilab Demake keeps the skin clean, fresh and hydrated.

Phasilab Instant Demake S

This micellar water is suitable for use around delicate area such as the eyes as well as for sensitive skin. It cleanses in depth and unclog  blocked pores to prevent acne formation as it contains liquorice extract. It also hydrates and help to maintain skin pH balance.

Full ingredient list

WATER (Aqua), PEG-6 CAPRYLIC / CAPRIC GLYCERIDES, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE, ALLANTOIN, GLYCERIN, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA  EXTRACT, DISODIUM EDTA, CETRIMONIUM BROMIDE

Phasilab Instant Demake HA

This variety, on the other hand,  contains hyaluronic acid aka collagen which is the top recipe for supple and radiant skin.  It's great for dry to normal skin types. It also contains Camomilla recutita extract which soothes dry and sensitive skin. The micellar water also helps to maintain the water and sebum balance of the skin.

Full ingredient list

Water (Aqua),PEG-6 Caprylic /Capric Glycerides,Glycerin, Allantoin,Disodium EDTA,Chamomilla Recutita Flower extract,Sodium Hyaluronate,Urea,Sodium PCA,Trehalose, Triacetin, Polyquaternium-51, Cetrimonium Bromide.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

I find Phasilab Demake really convenient. After a late night out, the last thing I want to do is to spend half an hour to remove all traces of makeup. Because I just want to hit the sack.  But makeup residues can cause clogged pores and dull skin color. Therefore it is extremely important to cleanse properly. By using Phasilab Demake twice a day, it shortens my skincare time at least by half.

Now,  the exciting part!  I'll have 2 lucky winners who will each get
• PHASILAB Instant Demake S (30ml)  x1
• PHASILAB Instant Demake HA (30ml)  x1

How to win?
1. LIKE & FOLLOW my FB or IG page @yingzangel
2. LIKE & FOLLOW Cosderm FB & IG page@cosderm.com.my
3. LIKE any post of PHASILAB in Cosderm FB / IG
4. LIKE and SHARE this post and set to PUBLIC.

Result will be announced on 13 August 2019. Good luck!

Want to know more about the product?

Cosderm website
Phasilab website

Tips for frizz free hair | Norish Kareem Hair Mist Review

I used to leave the house with people asking whether have I combed my hair beforehand. I admit I don't have a lot of times for hair care given that I have to wrestle with 2 young boys at home. If I get the chance, I would rather get some shut eye than waking up early for a hair spa. Neither do I have the time and opportunity to visit the saloon for a pampering session.

Having a good hair day is every girl's dream. These are a few useful tips from Cosmopolitan.com to tame the mane.

1. Use gentle shampoos which is sulfate free (dehydrates hair)
2. Choose shampoo with glycerin as one of the top ingredients
3. Apply conditioner from mid shaft down the ends and avoid roots
4. Don't shampoo everyday. Opt for conditioner only on shampoo free day.
5. Weekly hair mask to fill gaps in hair shafts.
6. Use microfiber instead of cotton hair towel
7. Use moisture-locking dry oil
8. Flat iron or blow dry hair with mixed bristle round brush
9. Touch up the hairline with a toothbrush with hair spray
10. A hair treatment at the saloon

Norish Kareem has formulated bottles of Billionaire Fresh Hair Mist that literally promise one to smell like a billionaire. It's the brainchild of Dr Shaharom Sulaiman, a famous Malaysian Aesthetic and Hair Expert, as well as a doctor. The hair mist comes in 6 scents, namely monsieur, mademoiselle, jeune, victorienne, cherie and vanite.

The active ingredients are
- Peppermint
- Argan oil
- German chamomile essential oil

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

I tried the madamoiselle version which has the scent of fresh roses. It made me feel so elegant and stylish just like the French. With a few simple sprays, my locks were smooth, frizz free, tangle free and remained in shape even after a few hours outdoor. I love how the hair mist also provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection to avoid sun damage to my hair.

Get onto Norish Kareem website to view their tasteful range of hair mist now.
Norish Kareem website

Quick Lunch | Pho Hello Taste Vietnamese Cuisine Kuantan

We love Vietnamese food. Starting from our university life, we stayed in Melbourne which has many Vietnamese migrants. The fragrance and affordability of a hot bowl of pho was always the highlight of our weekend shopping trip. And this hasn't changed. Our recent trip to Ho Chi Minh City further exposed us to the various delicacies in Vietnam's culinary world.

Refer to my previous posts about Ho Chi Minh City's
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

We are so happy to find an authentic Vietnamese restaurant in Kuantan town area near the famous Wan Satay.

Pho Hello Taste Vietnamese Cuisine
B-8008, SEri Kuantan Square, Jalan Teluk Sisek, Kuantan
Opens daily except mondays 8am-6.30pm
https://g.co/kgs/XkoCVT
Facebook

One of the special must-try in Vietnamese cuisine is the rice paper roll. Dried rice paper dipped in water to soften the skin. Wrap fresh ingredients such as basil, cucumber strips, carrot strips, prawns and thin slices of pork with blanched vermicelli. The dipping sauce is a refreshing combination of fish sauce, chili and roasted peanuts. Heavenly and healthy combination! The rolls can also be fried for a change.

Beef pho. The clear broth is so sweet and packed with the freshness of beef bone, star anise and  fish sauce. Springy rice noodles with slices of beef (can be raw or cooked because the beef will be cooked in the pipping hot soup to a tender finish), beef tendon and beef balls. Garnished with basil, wedges of lime and fresh bean sprouts, these vegetables should be blanched quickly in the broth when it's hot for a refreshing taste. I love how spicy the bird's eye chillies were.

Bun Thit Nuong or  Vietnamese Grilled Pork with Vermicelli. This is very similar to the concept of salad in the Western cuisine. Blanched vermicelli tossed together with julienned cucumber, carrot, lettuce, mint, slices of well marinated grilled pork, roasted peanuts and fried spring rolls. Dressed with a special sauce made from fish sauce, chilli, sugar, lemon and garlic, it's finger licking good.

Not to forget a shot of strong Vietnamese drip coffee with condensed milk. It's so aromatic and coffee lovers should definitely try it. This is what is keeping me up at late night after my oncall last night to finish up writing my review.

Overall, our verdict is 8/10! Affordable and delicious Vietnamese food. Clean and comfortable dining environment. Can't wait to go back and try more of their dishes.

The importance of resistance exercise | BH spinning dumb bells review

I have recently written about how to design an individualized exercise prescription using the FITT principle.  One of the component of a good exercise regime is to include resistance training.

Resistance exercise is also called weight or strength training. It helps to build up the strength,  endurance and the size of the muscles. This is because a resistance force that is repetitive and consistent will make the muscles work to overcome it. Besides muscles,  resistance training is also beneficial for joint function, bone density, muscle, tendon and ligament strength.

The key points for a good resistance exercise is to repeat the same sets with rest in between with progressive overload (intensify frequency,  lengthen duration,  increase reps/sets, increase weight). The type of exercise should be changed periodically because each exercise only trains specific muscles. A good recovery time of 48hours should be given afterwards to allow muscle repair and adaptation.

One of the ways to get good resistance training is using spinning dumbbells.  BH Fitness is the leading specialist in designing this piece of fitness equipment.

Spinning dumbbells are relatively small and lightweight to allow resistance exercise, even on the go. The dumbbells spin during exercise either clockwise or anticlockwise using what's called centripetal force.  This quadruple the efficiency of resistance training using conventional dumbbells.

Individual muscle groups can be trained separately using BH spinning dumbbells. The dumbbells can be swung overhead for warm up. Then,  use the rules of 3- 3minutes each rep and 3sets each rep . For arms training,  the brachioradialis, deltoid, triceps and biceps are included.

The hips can be trained by sliding the dumbbells forward and stretching the hip muscles. Besides that,  the spinning dumbbells can also strengthen core muscles and back muscles. For a complete set of resistance workup, one can refer to the BH fitness product guide link I  provide at the end of the article.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

The BH spinning dumbbells are light and easy to carry, even my three year old toddler can pick it up easily. There's a anti slip and anti sweat grip that's comfortable and does not cause sore hands or even abrasion with repetitive training. They are also durable. Bing boy had thrown it onto the floor before without injuring himself,  damaging the flooring nor breaking the dumbbells. A single set can allow training for the whole body at home without the need to head to the gym.

Those serious in getting back in shape can head on to BH Fitness website to get your very own spinning dumbbells at RM129 now. That's so much cheaper than a gym membership.