These tips will help you provide the best care for your loved one while maintaining your well-being: *Educate yourself: Learn about the disease’s progression, symptoms, and treatments to better understand and support your loved one. *Create a Safe Environment: Remove hazards and establish a predictable, organized space. *Effective Communication: Use clear, patient communication, maintain eye contact, and listen actively, even when their words are unclear. * Establish a routine: Consistency provides comfort; set a daily schedule for meals, activities, and bedtime. * Seek Support for Yourself: Seek help from support groups, respite care, or other family members or caregivers.
Community News
Benefits of Pet Therapy
Pet therapy is a great form of compassionate care that has been popularized over the years, primarily on school campuses and across communities. The research on pet therapy’s effect on our aging population is remarkable. Pet therapy has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety. By providing connection and comfort through animals, pet therapy is extremely beneficial for feelings of stress and anxiety. Some studies even show positive results on mental functioning through pet therapy. Playing with animals is also a fun way to increase mobility as we age.
Grief Therapy for Children & Teens
Therapy plays a crucial role in helping children cope with grief and loss and provides a safe environment for them to explore and process their emotions. Grief is a complex emotion that is expressed very differently in children than it is in adults and parents often express how challenging it is to help their children. Through specialized techniques such as play therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy, therapists assist children in expressing their feelings and developing effective coping strategies to promote resilience and healing. Therapists collaborate with parents to create a supportive network that acknowledges the unique experiences of each child and empowers them to move forward positively, fostering emotional well-being and growth.
Aging Well Expo – June 19, 2024
The Volunteer Cowichan Aging Well Expo which will take place in the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The Expo is open to the public with free admission. Whether you are an older adult, a young adult, a caregiver, or someone interested in learning more about the healthy aging resources available in the community, you are encouraged you to attend this exciting event. The Expo will feature 35+ vendors, offering information about health, financial, legal, and physical-care services and products available in the Cowichan Valley. It will also offer workshops and door prizes.
Make Self-Care a Priority
Stress is a natural part of everyday life. But are you aware that stress is among the number one causes of all kinds of health concerns, including sleep deprivation, changes in appetite, illness, anxiety, and depression? One of the greatest ways to combat these stress symptoms is to implement a self-care plan that is done regularly in your life. Self-care strategies include doing activities that you enjoy regularly. Like when a flight attendant does the safety brief and asks you to put on your oxygen mask first before helping others, it is important to ensure your health and wellness are a priority.
The Alchemy of Gathering Festival
Set amongst the majestic Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens, this wellness and spirituality festival will focus on gathering in the community to share ideas on wellness, connection, creativity, healing modalities, and more. The Alchemy of Gathering offers an array of experiences to further and heighten the human journey. Set in the Sunset Gardens, attendees can expect over 40 exhibitors with products and services, six different interactive stations, and live music on stage throughout the event. In the barn, 10 wellness workshops will be presented on both days. Also, experience the Ocean Labyrinth, food trucks, and 24 acres of woodlands to wander through.
Pre-Planning Services
Pre-planning for a loved one’s burial is crucial to honor their final wishes and ease the stress of decision-making during grief. By planning ahead, personalization becomes possible that reflect their preferences. Moreover, pre-planning relieves the burden on family members, especially those far away or occupied with other commitments, by handling financial and logistical responsibilities. It also ensures completion of legal formalities without delays. Additionally, pre-planning allows time for research, enabling informed decisions. Lastly, it offers emotional support to loved ones by sharing final wishes and providing reassurance. Our pre-planning services aim to make the process stress-free and provide a peaceful resting place.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease for which there is no cure yet. It can strike anyone at any time, but it is more prevalent in women. MS causes multiple symptoms, including balance problems, dizziness, loss of mobility, memory loss, vision loss, and bladder and bowel dysfunction. There are a few treatments that help slow the progression of the disease and alleviate some symptoms. Canada is at the forefront of research and trials to help find a cure. To learn more about MS and what you can do to help, please visit MSCanada.ca.
Prepare for Unexpected Events
Life is full of surprises and unexpected events. When it comes to our families, we want them to be secure and protected. Living benefits can protect your financial situation in the event of a loss of income. Living benefits are insurance products that provide financial support to the insured in case of an unexpected illness or disability. The products include long-term care benefits, critical illness insurance, whole-life insurance, and loss of income due to injury or illness. Mary Ann educates her clients and families about the importance of saving and protection against financial loss. Contact her to learn about your options.
Support for Seniors
Many local seniors are struggling to afford necessities like food and medication, and others are unable to pay their bills or afford the upkeep of their homes. SOS Seniors’ programs are working to ensure seniors can age in place, overcome financial emergencies, and stay connected with others. Get in touch with us if you know a senior who could use our assistance. Support these programs with a donation to the SOS Impact Campaign. Financial donations are gratefully accepted online, by phone, or in person. Thank you!
The Canadian Dental Care Plan
The Canadian Dental Care Plan starts on May 1, 2024. Everyone who qualifies could have at least some coverage. You should have received a letter from the government and/or an ID card from Sun Life. Sun Life administers the program for the federal government, and they have set out coverage percentages and fees. The fees set out are not based on the Denturists Fee Guide and may not reflect the actual cost or percentages covered. Please visit our website for more details and to book a free consultation so that we can begin the required preauthorization and additional paperwork.
