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/

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.

Comox Valley Senior Support Society is currently recruiting Board Members. If you have a passion for seniors, an interest in working with a collaborative Board, and supporting an active staff team, please contact Chris at [email protected] for more information.

The possibility of extreme heat is now looking like more of a reality for the summer ahead in BC. When temperatures rise, please be sure to check in on your elderly neighbors, friends, and relatives, especially those
• who live alone
• with chronic health conditions (e.g., heart disease, chronic respiratory illness, diabetes, mental illness, substance use disorders)
• with limited mobility
• without air conditioning
• those who live in a home exposed to direct sunlight. If you or someone you know lives in a home where the temperatures will reach 30 degrees Celsius or higher, plan to go elsewhere during a heat emergency. If you are remaining in your home, please evaluate your home’s cool zones, choose one and plan to remain in that area of the home as much as possible. If possible to do safely, putting a barrier, such as cardboard on the outside of a window will help deflect the sun from hitting the window. Close your blinds and windows during the hottest parts of the day and, if the temperature drops significantly at night, open windows to allow some fresh, cool air circulation. Having a fan near a window overnight will help bring in cool air. In the event of extreme temperatures, cooling centers will be operated, and their locations will be well publicized. Please assist your senior friends, neighbors, and relatives to access cooling centers. Libraries, community centers, shopping malls, movie theaters, and shaded parks will all provide cooling assistance as well. Plan in advance where you may go in the event of extreme heat.

Identify an extreme heat buddy! If you live alone, or with someone who is vulnerable, have a buddy who will check in on you daily. Ideally, your buddy should be someone who can assist you in getting to and from a cooling location. Please call CV Senior Support at 250-871-5940 if assistance is needed.

When visiting aging loved ones, it’s important to look out for signs that they may need extra assistance to continue living safely and independently at home. Changes in behavior, a cluttered house, missed medication, unpaid bills, decline in personal appearance, mysterious car dents, decreased mobility, and misplaced vital items can all indicate the need for more help. These signs shouldn’t be ignored and should trigger a discussion about the support your loved one needs. Although these conversations can be tough, they are essential for ensuring their safety and well-being. Use communication tips to approach these discussions in a non-confrontational manner and develop a care plan that works for everyone.

Presbyopia is when your eyes gradually lose the ability to see things clearly up close. It’s a normal part of aging, usually noticeable around age 40. Your clear lens sits inside the eye behind your coloured iris and changes shape to focus light onto the retina so you can see. When you’re young, the lens is soft and flexible, easily changing shape. This lets you focus on objects both close up and far away. Although there’s no way to stop or reverse the normal aging process that causes presbyopia, the condition can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery.

Seniors with limited mobility face unique challenges when dealing with hot weather. Limited mobility can restrict their ability to seek shade or cool environments, putting them at a higher risk of heat-related illnesses. Aging bodies may have difficulty regulating body temperature, making seniors more susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Dehydration is another concern, as older individuals may have decreased thirst sensations or be on medications that increase water loss. It is crucial to ensure seniors have access to well-ventilated spaces, proper hydration, and appropriate clothing to minimize heat-related risks. Regular check-ins and assistance from caregivers or family members can help seniors navigate the heat safely.