‘Tis the season for freezing temperatures and slippery conditions that can lead to falls; falls that can result in serious injuries. In addition to obvious hazardous environmental conditions, the winter months bring with them unique characteristics and combinations of conditions that contribute to a higher risk of falling. Hypothermia, vitamin D deficiencies, and winter risks being brought indoors are among them. Work to help prevent winter falls by wearing footwear that provides a good grip, dressing warmly (try layering your clothes), talking to your doctor about vitamin D supplements, and cleaning up any puddles from any precipitation you’ve tracked inside your home.

Are you seeking ways to overcome emotional trauma? Do you have trouble letting go and moving on with your life? Living with the steady underlying stress of fight-or-flight can be exhausting. Survival mode is a phase that helps save your life in short term situations; it should not last throughout your life. Using a method from a course called “A Three Staged Approach to Treating Emotional Trauma with Acupuncture”, an acupuncturist can, in a safe and effective way, help your body to work through and release the trauma.

Like natural teeth, dentures can attract plaque, become stained, and collect food particles that can cause bad breath. They need to be cleaned daily to remove plaque and calculus. At home, dentures can be cleaned with over the counter cleaners and gentle bushing with a specialized denture brush. Ordinary toothbrushes and commercial toothpastes are too abrasive and can damage the surface of your dentures. When the plaque has hardened to calculus it will need to be removed at a denture clinic, so be sure to clean your dentures properly.

The GAM Info Rep is a new service offered by the BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program. GAM Info Reps are part of your Gaming & Gambling support services. Like any advisor, the GAM Info Rep is there to support you with your distinct needs every step of the way. Whether you need to inquire about counselling services, legal services, housing, community health, debt management or any other support service, the GAM Info Rep is there to help. Your GAM Info Rep in the Cowichan Valley is Shannon Husk. 250-588-3861

For many seniors, living alone may directly affect how often they engage in social activities. Social interactions often decrease as we age, which is why it is important to be involved in social activities as often as possible. The more active you are, the better you will feel in many ways both physically and mentally. If you are finding yourself lonely, while living on your own, you may want to connect with others by joining groups; such as, volunteering with organizations including a local senior centre. Another solution is to consider moving to a seniors’ residence which is ideally suited to create many opportunities for social interaction and fun on a daily basis.

To stay well and to fight off the cold and flu bugs this season, it is important to support your body. Eating a balanced diet with ample veggies and fruits, lean proteins, healthy fats, and moderate complex carbohydrates provides energy and helps you feel well. Try to cut out the processed sugars as these lower immunity and increase inflammation. In our modern world with all its stress, adding supplements to a healthy, balanced diet and making time for meal preparation will help your body stay healthy at this time of the year. Stay well and feel great this autumn and winter!

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of age-related blindness world-wide. Although there is no cure, early detection and preventative measures can delay or reduce vision loss. The central part of the retina at the back of the eye can become damaged over time due to Ultra-Violet radiation from the sun, smoking and/or poor nutrition. This results in the development of central blind spots and blurred or distorted vision. Symptoms progress slowly in the “dry” form and more rapidly in the “wet” form. Prevention of macular degeneration includes stopping smoking, good nutrition, regular exercise and wearing good quality UV blocking sunglasses.