Community News
Meal Planning/Prep for Seniors

Getting the proper nutrition at mealtime can be a struggle for many seniors living at home. At Homecare Solutions for Everyone, we offer meal planning and preparation services that focus on collaboration and convenience. Our team will work with you to plan and prepare meals together, ensuring your preferences and dietary needs are met. We can assist in creating a grocery list and even prepare individual meals for freezing, providing you with ready-to-eat options. Additionally, we can help clean and organize your fridge and cupboards, ensuring a well-organized and efficient kitchen space. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in your homecare journey.

Find Calm, Support, Healing

Most of us are feeling extra stress with current concerns on the world stage as well as our regular lives. These stressors take quite a toll on our mental and emotional health, our relationships, and even our physical health. At Safe Harbour Therapy Centre we have a holistic healing space where our team offers many different wellness services in one place. Individual and relational therapy, sex & intimacy coaching, breathwork, reiki, reflexology, hypnotherapy, life coaching, dietetics, and more. Our goal is for you to feel soothed, nurtured and supported with stress-free wrap-around care. Prioritize your wellness. You are not alone

Loved Ones This Easter

Easter is a time of renewal, hope, and reflection. As we gather with loved ones, it’s also an opportunity to remember those who have passed. Their memory lives on in the traditions we uphold, the love we share, and the quiet moments of remembrance. Whether lighting a candle, sharing stories, or simply holding space for grief, Easter invites us to connect with the souls we miss. At Branch & Pyre, we honor these cherished loved ones, celebrating the bond that time cannot erase. May their memory bring comfort and peace this Easter season. Lee Barringer | Branch & Pyre Cremation Care |BranchAndPyre.com

Local Spotlight: Monarch Family Therapy

At Monarch Family Therapy, we offer a variety of therapeutic and educational services for children, adults, families, and professionals across Manitoba and provide an inclusive atmosphere that welcomes all identities and abilities. We provide children and their parents/caregivers opportunities to build connection and healing with an emphasis on developing secure attachment relationships. Areas of support include: Attachment & Parenting; Grief & Loss (death, divorce, child welfare involvement/foster care, ambiguous loss); Complex Developmental Trauma/Childhood Trauma; Emotion Regulation (ADHD, Autism, Sensory Processing & Trauma); Behaviour Challenges (home/school/community); Sensory Processing Disorders; Developmental Delays; Depression & Anxiety; Adoption; Abuse, Neglect & Child Welfare Involvement; Children in Care & Permanency Planning; and Developmental Assessments by our on-site occupational therapist.

Local Spotlight: Monarch Family Therapy

At Monarch Family Therapy, we offer a variety of therapeutic and educational services for children, adults, families, and professionals across Manitoba and provide an inclusive atmosphere that welcomes all identities and abilities. We provide children and their parents/caregivers opportunities to build connection and healing with an emphasis on developing secure attachment relationships. Areas of support include: Attachment & Parenting; Grief & Loss (death, divorce, child welfare involvement/foster care, ambiguous loss); Complex Developmental Trauma/Childhood Trauma; Emotion Regulation (ADHD, Autism, Sensory Processing & Trauma); Behaviour Challenges (home/school/community); Sensory Processing Disorders; Developmental Delays; Depression & Anxiety; Adoption; Abuse, Neglect & Child Welfare Involvement; Children in Care & Permanency Planning; and Developmental Assessments by our on-site occupational therapist.

Loved Ones This Easter

Easter is a time of renewal, hope, and reflection. As we gather with loved ones, it’s also an opportunity to remember those who have passed. Their memory lives on in the traditions we uphold, the love we share, and the quiet moments of remembrance. Whether lighting a candle, sharing stories, or simply holding space for grief, Easter invites us to connect with the souls we miss. At Branch & Pyre, we honor these cherished loved ones, celebrating the bond that time cannot erase. May their memory bring comfort and peace this Easter season. Lee Barringer | Branch & Pyre Cremation Care |BranchAndPyre.com

Income Tax Program in Full Swing

Senior Support North Vancouver Island (SSNVI) is once again providing simple income tax return preparation service for seniors 55+. There are income thresholds for service, $40,000 for a single person, $50,000 for a couple. This service will run until the end of April with returns typically completed with seven calendar days. This service is only offered to SSNVI clients in the Comox Valley. Though drop-ins are welcome, we do suggest calling before coming by the office at 250-871-5940.

April at SSNVI

Studies show that connection to community can help increase our mental and physical health and wellbeing. April brings lots of free and low-cost opportunities to connect in Courtenay and Comox area for seniors.
The month of April the 3rd Annual Poetry Walk is taking place downtown Courtenay. Shop windows will be painted with poetry and art on 4th, 5th, and 6th streets, theme is Family.
April 12, free info session by MARS Wildlife Rescue at the Comox Senior Centre. Contact d’Esterre Centre for time.
April 26, come connect with Senior Support North Vancouver Island (SSNVI) at the 2025 Wellness Expo at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay.
SSNVI Workshops and Partner Events
SSNVI is hosting workshops with community partners on April 22 and May 27, from10:30 – 12:00, CV Presbyterian Church, 725 Aspen Rd.
Please be sure to check our resource page at https://ssnvi.ca/education-sessions/ for more details. Even better, get on our email list to be notified about these workshops and others at [email protected]

Get Connected – Volunteer with Us

Consider volunteering with us. SSNVI is always looking for senior volunteers. Seniors helping seniors.
Want to learn more about becoming a volunteer? SSNVI is hosting volunteer training sessions in the month of April. To find out more information or register for a training session you can email us at [email protected] or drop by Unit C,1-450 8th Street, Courtenay.
There is also the Seniors Intergenerational Action Network. This partnership program links seniors and families with young children in the Comox Valley. Weekly activities are being organised at the Comox Recreation Centre. To find out more, please check out the Comox Recreation Guide or contact Ann Brown at [email protected] , or Christopher Bate at [email protected]

Oral Health Month

April is Oral Health Month! Here are five tips for maintaining good oral health: 1) Make healthy food choices and limit sugary and highly acidic foods to avoid tooth decay and acid erosion. 2) Don’t smoke or use tobacco products, which can stain teeth, cause gum damage, give you bad breath, cause tooth loss, and even lead to oral cancer. 3) Brush twice and floss once daily. 4) Make note of any oral issues you have, including sensitivity, bleeding, pain, or strange lumps. 5) Visit your dentist regularly. We now offer VELScope Oral Cancer Screening in our practice. The exam takes about 2 minutes and is completely safe and painless.

Osteopathy: Addressing the Root Cause of IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects digestion, causing bloating, cramping, and irregular bowel movements. Osteopathy takes a whole-body approach, identifying underlying dysfunctions rather than just managing symptoms. Gentle hands-on techniques improve gut motility, release fascial restrictions, and enhance nervous system regulation—key factors in digestive health. Osteopaths assess spinal alignment, visceral restrictions, and stress-related tension, which can all contribute to IBS. By restoring balance and reducing inflammation, osteopathy supports long-term relief. If IBS is disrupting your life, consider osteopathy as a natural way to uncover and address the root cause rather than just masking symptoms.