Acute Care Transport Service (ACTS)
Sick Kids ACTS receives over 3,800 calls annually for advice and over 2,200 of these calls result in patient transfers. About 60% of these calls are for neonatal patients. Toronto Paramedic Service ambulances and paramedics facilitate ground transfers and co-ordinate with ORNGE air ambulance in a region that covers Mississauga to Cobourg and north to Sudbury.
Source: SickKids ACTS
The world’s first adaptive skatepark
Built for the blind, by the blind, “The Ranch”, is a 5000,000 sq.ft. skatepark in Detroit that’s completely accessible – allowing both seasoned low-vision boarders and newcomers to the sport to feel safe and welcome. The long-time dream of seasoned boarder, Dan Mancina, who was rendered almost completely blind by age 22, the recently opened skatepark park gives him and others, “a place to skate with full confidence”.
Source: olympics.com
Broken system for mental health
A recent commentary published by Nadeem Esmail, Senior Fellow at Canada’s Fraser institute suggests that Canadians deserve “a much more thoughtful approach to mental health care.” Recognizing the devastating effects of youth suicide and the often, unmet needs of those struggling with mental illness Esmail suggests that systemic improvements are achievable with whole system needs reform.
Source: Fraser Institute
Conscious solo travel
With mental fitness, digital detox and the need to disconnect becoming increasingly important to managing personal health, many people are opting to travel alone without companions. Seeking solitude, clarity and renewal, trends see destination and spa guests opting for sustainable luxury with spacious, panoramic, single rooms, meal times without group tables and an absence of mandatory programming.
Source: Green Pearls
Music-induced chills
Listening to favourite music activates the brain’s opioid system which is involved in feelings of pleasure and pain relief according to a new PET imaging study. “Chills: are linked to the release of natural opioids in key brain areas. Researchers found that participants with higher opioid receptor density showed stronger brain responses to music, highlighting individual differences in musical enjoyment.
Source: Neuroscience
Positive Age House
Rather than relying on technology and recognizing that Japanese people spend 2/3 of their time at home, Saishunkan has helped create a home designed to enhance the body’s self-healing capabilities. Circadian lighting that adjusts colour and temperature throughout the day, textured ripple flooring that stimulates foot pressure points and deliberate floor height changes to encourage joint exercise are features of their living environment.
Source: Trend-watching
Images: Mac Loong. CanStock. SickKids®. Ste Anne’s Spa.
