While you are enjoying this holiday season, be sure to drink plenty of clear fluids to stay well-hydrated. Water is best. Dehydration, especially for seniors, can be dangerous, with symptoms that may include headaches, confusion, dizziness, fainting, and weakness. Alcohol is a diuretic, so it is best to match every drink with a glass of water. Drinking too many caffeinated beverages can also lead to dehydration. Try to consume high-water-content foods such as soups and fruit with delicious desserts and holiday treats to help with hydration. Happy Holidays!
Community News
The Power of Daily Routine
Did you know that a simple daily routine can make a big difference in the quality of life for those who may be navigating challenges in independence or cognitive abilities? When someone’s world is filled with uncertainty, following a predictable schedule such as having meals, dressing, and doing daily activities at set times can bring comfort, reduce anxiety, and even improve sleep and mental clarity. Consider small ways to add consistency to your loved one’s day to help create a sense of peace and stability. Reliable Home Care is always here to support and bring comfort to those you care about.
Gifts for Seniors
This holiday season, why not spread some cheer and support the Home Instead gift drive for seniors! The purpose of Home Instead community service program Be a Santa to a Senior® is to positively impact the community by providing holiday cheer and gift giving to seniors who are least likely to receive a present during the holiday season, are lonely and financially challenged. For more information, contact: Home Instead at: 250 338 0554 or email: [email protected]
Avoid the Winter Blues
The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines suggest adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, as well as two sessions of muscle and bone strengthening activities, to achieve physical AND mental health benefits. With winter coming, and the challenges of leaving home, this can seem daunting! Your physiotherapist can tailor an exercise program designed specifically for you to do inside with minimal space (to help avoid the cold weather!), and with equipment everyone has around their home. At 30 minutes per day, the benefits of exercise are countless, while the side effects are minimal.
Renew & Recharge for the New Year
As the holiday season and New Year approach, it’s the perfect time to prioritize wellness. Incorporating Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy into your healthcare routine can be a game-changer for managing seasonal stress, fatigue, and overall well-being. PEMF therapy works by stimulating cellular function, which enhances natural healing, improves sleep, and boosts energy levels—essential during the busy holiday period. This non-invasive therapy can also help reduce inflammation and relieve chronic pain, offering a fresh start to the new year. Embrace PEMF therapy as a proactive approach to self-care and feel renewed and resilient all season long.
Renew & Recharge for the New Year
As the holiday season and New Year approach, it’s the perfect time to prioritize wellness. Incorporating Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy into your healthcare routine can be a game-changer for managing seasonal stress, fatigue, and overall well-being. PEMF therapy works by stimulating cellular function, which enhances natural healing, improves sleep, and boosts energy levels—essential during the busy holiday period. This non-invasive therapy can also help reduce inflammation and relieve chronic pain, offering a fresh start to the new year. Embrace PEMF therapy as a proactive approach to self-care and feel renewed and resilient all season long.
Events at d’Esterre Senior Centre
The Senior Centre in Comox offers a number of daily and weekly programs geared to seniors throughout the year. In December, they are offering a Christmas Dinner on Saturday, December 14 and a Christmas Day Dinner on December 25. For more information check out their website, facebook page or reach out to Cheryl Smith at [email protected]
Avoid the Winter Blues
The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines suggest adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, as well as two sessions of muscle and bone strengthening activities, to achieve physical AND mental health benefits. With winter coming, and the challenges of leaving home, this can seem daunting! Your physiotherapist can tailor an exercise program designed specifically for you to do inside with minimal space (to help avoid the cold weather!), and with equipment everyone has around their home. At 30 minutes per day, the benefits of exercise are countless, while the side effects are minimal.
Supporting Seniors During The Holidays
Over the holiday season please remember to look out for your elderly neighbors. The holidays can be a lonely or challenging time for some seniors, especially if they have limited mobility, family, or support. Here are a few simple ways to help:
● Check In Regularly: Pop by to say hello or give them a call to see how they’re doing. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there can mean a lot. Ensure they’re warm enough, have food, and aren’t feeling isolated.
● Offer Practical Help: Tasks like grocery shopping, picking up medications, putting up decorations, or helping with snow removal can be difficult for seniors, so offering your help with these can make a big difference.
● Share a Meal or Treat: Cooking a little extra and sharing holiday meals or treats can brighten their day. Homemade baked goods, holiday meals, or a warm drink can bring joy.
● Invite Them Over: If they’re open to it, invite them over for a holiday gathering or celebration. It can help them feel included and gives them an opportunity to socialize.
● Check Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Alarms and heating: Ensure their heating is working, and help with small tasks like putting up extra curtains, sealing drafts, or providing blankets. Heating systems can pose risks in winter, so checking alarms will help them stay safe.
● Encourage Social Interaction: Isolation can increase during winter. Inviting them over for tea, or suggesting ways to stay connected with family, can brighten their days.
These little actions can make a big difference, helping them stay safe, warm, and connected.
Is Sugar Harmful for Denture Wearers?
Sugar can significantly impact the oral health of denture wearers. Though dentures aren’t susceptible to cavities, sugars in the diet still encourage bacterial growth in the mouth. Bacteria feed on sugars, which leads to plaque buildup on dentures and gums, potentially causing bad breath, gum irritation, and infections. If dentures aren’t cleaned thoroughly, sugar residue can create a sticky environment for bacteria to thrive. High sugar intake also increases the risk of oral thrush, a common fungal infection for denture wearers. Limiting sugary foods and drinks, maintaining proper denture hygiene, and rinsing after meals help keep the mouth healthy.
Sign up to Volunteer Today!
The Senior Support North Vancouver Island programs are run almost exclusively by volunteers, and we need you! All our programs in the Comox Valley and Campbell River are looking for volunteers. Why not start the new year right and register to volunteer today!
We have many options of programs. Do you love to visit, do puzzles, go for a walk, drink tea, play cards or do a little shopping? If so, we have a senior for you! With just one hour a week you can make a huge difference in the lives of vulnerable seniors here in your community. It just takes one hour, and we promise you will get as much back as you give you.
Or, are you great at computers, online navigation systems or taxes? Well, we also have programs that support seniors in those areas. Reach out today to get started!
Email: [email protected] or call: 250-871-5940
