The Comox Valley Senior Support Society’s Second Annual Spelling Bee will be held on Tuesday, October 17 at Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay. The first Spelling Bee was such a community success that we decided to get a larger space and invite more people! We look forward to seeing you there.
Community News
Help Feed a Senior for $12/Week
In partnership with LUSH Valley Food Action Society, CVSS provides 82 meals a week to seniors in the Comox Valley. While some seniors contribute to the cost of the weekly meals, they are heavily subsidized. A donation of $12 a week will provide between two and four meals for a senior in the Valley, helping ensure food security for vulnerable residents. Donations can be made at the CVSS office, or by cheque, via mail at C1-450 8th Street, Courtenay, BC, V9N 1N5. Tax receipts are provided for donations over $20. Alternatively, monthly donations can be set up on our Canada Helps website at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/comox-valley-senior-support/
Coping with Memory Loss
Memory loss in aging parents poses unique caregiving challenges. Alongside physical manifestations, such as forgetting tasks or medications, the emotional toll on both parent and caregiver is significant. Frustration and depression often accompany memory loss, making communication and caregiving more difficult. To navigate this journey, consider these six best practices: reassure your parent, prevent getting lost, enhance home safety, manage caregiver stress, review medications, and seek additional support. By implementing these strategies, you can provide the necessary care while maintaining your own well-being. Home Instead® offers compassionate memory care services to support you and your loved ones through this challenging time.
Earwax and Hearing Aids
Clients often inquire about the surge in earwax production after using hearing aids. These devices can activate the gland in the ear canal, leading to an excessive secretion of earwax. Consequently, many individuals experience an upsurge in earwax accumulation when they start wearing hearing aids, as the body’s natural response to a foreign object in the ear. Remarkably, up to half of hearing aid repairs are attributable to earwax issues. Therefore, incorporating regular ear cleaning into your hearing aid maintenance routine is crucial. Remember, we’re here to help you with any concerns you may have. Raymond Gilby RHIP/C | Owner /Operator Clear Ears | Vice-President HIPSBC
When it’s Not Just Aging
While it’s true that some health conditions are more common with age, there are some symptoms that should be discussed with your doctor. 1. Memory loss – this can sometimes be the result of medications, vitamin deficiencies, and some disorders. 2. Vision problems – getting treatment early for certain vision problems like glaucoma can prevent serious damage. 3. Tooth loss – getting regular dental care can help seniors avoid tooth loss. 4. Depression – certain health conditions and medications can make depression symptoms worse, but this problem can be treated professionally. 5. Weakness – a good exercise program can help prevent loss of muscle mass.
Use Your Teeth Wisely
Your teeth have a specific purpose, and it’s not to serve as a multitool. Opening packages, bottles, or using them as an extra hand can lead to unfortunate accidents and tooth damage. Engaging in such creative uses of your pearly whites is a recipe for disaster. It’s only a matter of time before you crack or break a tooth. Rather than risking your oral health, take the extra trip to find appropriate tools or locate a pair of scissors. By using your teeth for their intended functions, you can maintain a healthy, intact smile for years to come. Don’t jeopardize your dental well-being by treating your teeth as makeshift tools.
Definition Of Addiction
Biologically (medical definition) Addiction is a “chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequence, and long-lasting changes and damage to major organs of the body, including the brain.”
There are many psychological addictions such as food, gambling, exercising or gaming. The term addiction does not only refer to a dependence on substances such as alcohol, heroin, or cocaine. A psychological addiction is defined as “an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it may cause psychological or physical harm.”
What Causes A Person To Become Addicted
Addiction is a complex condition that affects a person’s behavior and brain. And while the phrase “addiction” often conjures images of drug abuse and alcoholism, it’s important to remember that addiction can take many forms. From gambling to sex to social media use, addiction can cause harm in several ways.
But what causes someone to become an addict? What makes one person more likely than another to develop an addiction problem? The answer is complicated, and there are no simple explanations for why some people become addicts while others do not. Addiction is multi-faceted with many diverse causes. Research indicates that the following three play a significant role in the onset of addictions.
1. Genetics: Genes can play a significant role in the onset of addiction. People with a first-degree relative (parent, children, sibling), with an addiction problem may have an increased risk and a predisposition to developing an addiction. While there’s still a lot more to learn about the connection between genes and substance use disorder, it’s one of the most common root causes of addiction.
2. Environmental Factors: Environmental factors are also a contributing factor, such as being raised in poverty or experiencing an abusive childhood. Other environmental factors that may affect the onset of substance use include peer pressure, unstable home environment, parents that use drugs, presence of drugs at home, and community influence.
3. Trauma: Childhood experiences may significantly impact a person’s physical and mental health. Traumatic childhood experiences may lead to emotional difficulties such as substance abuse. Examples of traumatic experiences include:
• Physical and/or sexual abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Emotional neglect
• Witnessing violence
• Parental separation or divorce
• Stress-related to military-family life
• Traumatic brain injuries can also cause change within the brain that results in an increased risk of addiction and other symptoms like headaches, memory loss, and sleep problems.
Help Parents Stay Independent
Seniors often face reduced independence due to health or mobility concerns. Mobility scooters offer a solution. Regardless of their location, a mobility scooter empowers parents to reclaim independence and relish outdoor experiences. With electric motors and a simple recharge, these scooters effortlessly transport them to desired destinations, allowing them to unwind and enjoy the ride. Portable models further facilitate transportation, ensuring the ease of taking them in cars when needed. By embracing mobility scooters, seniors can regain their freedom and embrace the world outside their homes.
How Is Your Cardiovascular Health?
Many people are not diagnosed with cardiovascular disease until the condition worsens to the point where they have angina, blood clots, stroke, or heart failure. That’s why it is important to start taking steps toward a healthy heart and arteries today. A good screening test for early signs of disease is Biofeedback Testing. This non-invasive computerized testing will assess your cardiovascular system. The information can then be used to devise a specific program to improve your heart efficiency and arterial health before symptoms occur, or even if symptoms are already present.
Many Benefits of Vibroacoustic Therapy
Vibroacoustic therapy, or, sound healing, offers numerous benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. Through various vibrations and frequencies, sound healing promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and calms the mind. It can also help balance energy centers within the body, known as chakras, restoring harmony, and promoting overall well-being. Vibroacoustic therapy has been shown to enhance meditation, improve sleep quality, and alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. Additionally, it can stimulate creativity and boost focus and concentration. Sound healing is a non-invasive and enjoyable practice that offers a holistic approach to healing, promoting a sense of deep relaxation and inner peace.
PROCESS OF RECOVERY
Definitions Of Recovery
“Recovery from addiction and mental health problems is a process of change through which an individual achieves improved health, and wellness” ~ World Health Organization
The Recovery Journey, which encompasses all of these states. It is a “…process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” “Physical Health, Emotional/Psychological Health”. Spiritual Health” and “Sexual Health” ~ World Health Organization
