Community News
Invest in Your Health

I often hear that organic veggies are too expensive or that paying for preventative health care costs way too much! Yet most of us look after the engine in our cars correctly and do maintenance on our house to prevent a huge expensive job in the future. Why not look after and invest in our health? As we age, our bodies tend to absorb less nutrients and may carry many toxins. Products such as Black Oxygen Fulvic/Humic minerals have been shown to be a chelator and offer powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Ask me how you can get these minerals into your hands.

Do You Have a Feeling of Overwhelm?

Giving and Gratitude are important elements that should be included in our everyday life. Having a warm feeling of thankfulness towards the world and a concern for others, helps us be grateful for what we have instead of focusing on what we don’t have. Gratitude is consistently connected with greater happiness, it helps people feel more positive emotions and improves health. Expressing gratitude every day assists in releasing the feeling of Overwhelm. A Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release the unprocessed negative (trapped) emotion of Overwhelm which will allow you to live a more joyful life.

Support Locals in Need this Christmas

For over 50 years, the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program has been creating the magic of Christmas. The program provides a gift for children and youth so there is something special for them under the tree on Christmas morning. Adults receive local grocery store gift cards so they may choose food that is important to them. To support the program donate online, call 250.248.2093, find an SOS Angel Tree in a local business, or attend a local event that benefits the program. Drop off a new, unwrapped gift or monetary donation to the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville. Visit the website for drop-off times.

Combatting Isolation

Our lives have changed drastically over the past eight months and it is affecting our mental and physical health. Social distancing and social isolation go hand in hand. Make sure that you take the time every day to reach out to loved ones, friends and neighbours. Pick a book to share and start a book club. Send mail the old-fashioned way, go for a socially distanced stroll. If you are feeling isolated please call us, we can help!

Benefits of Independent Living

Independent senior living, bridging the gap between aging in place and assisted living, is a retirement haven for seniors who want flexibility and peace of mind. Independent living communities have blossomed, allowing creative cuisine, independent schedules, private parking, and flexible service programs. Say goodbye to the hassle of hydro bills, dishes, vacuuming, or grocery shopping. Independent living communities have in-house maintenance workers, and landscapers to take care of it all for you. Time to start enjoying retirement and living the good life! If you are an active senior looking to get the most out of your retirement, we encourages you to learn more about independent living.

Get Help Wherever You are!

You may not be going out as much as usual but you still want to feel secure knowing that help is available no matter where you might be! Whether in your home, walking to your mailbox or going for a walk in the park, there are devices available that give you 24/7 access to help. These on-the-go devices can send an alert when you press a button, sense when you fall and send an automatic alert, and provide direct, two-way communication with a 24/7 Response Center. They are designed to help locate the user in a variety of situations – home or away, indoors and out.

Medication Review Services

If you are a BC resident with a valid BC Services Card and have been prescribed at least five medications in the last six months, you may benefit from Medication Review Services. Medication Reviews may identify issues such as an interaction between your medications, changes that may be needed in dosage, etc. This service provided by your Pharmacist, helps British Columbians better understand their medications. When you understand your medications – why you are taking them, when to take them, and how to best take them – you make informed decisions and have greater ownership of your overall health. Speak to your community pharmacist.

Eliminate Pain & Regenerate Joints

To eliminate the pain of any form of musculo-skeletal injury and to regenerate any joint, especially with osteo-arthritic elements; acupuncture and Prolozone injection therapy are my treatment protocols. Each component of Prolozone therapy has a specific biological purpose. Procaine acts to re-establish cellular membrane potentials. Anti-inflammatory agents decrease edema and swelling. The inclusion of vitamins and minerals provides necessary substrates of oxygen utilization that in damaged tissues are often deficient. And finally, oxygen utilization is directly stimulated by ozone. In many cases Prolozone actually corrects the pathology of the disorder, there is a 75% chance for the chronic pain sufferer to
becoming permanently pain free.

Enjoy the Outside this Winter

December on Vancouver Island often brings cold and wet weather. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the outside. Wear warm clothing to stay comfortable and to help prevent frost bite and achy muscles. Proper warm insulated boots with good grips will keep your feet warm so you can still be outside to do what you love to do! Add a good pair of Walking Poles to your outdoor adventures. They keep your balance inline, provide extra stability and give you a light workout! Our physiotherapists can show you proper poling technique and help you with all your poling needs.

Winter Programs to Help You Stay Active

Studies continually show the benefits of being active and socializing as an important part of being healthy – both physically and emotionally even during a pandemic. The City of Nanaimo is excited to be offering winter programs that take place from January to March. Registration for these program starts on Wednesday, December 2. Join us this season for swimming, skating, fitness, yoga, art, language courses and more! Parks & Recreation offers classes that have safety protocols in place to keep you safe from COVID-19. See our website for a listing of all our upcoming winter programs.

Take a “Staycation”

Taking a vacation can benefit your overall wellbeing and it doesn’t have to mean leaving town or hopping on a plane. Taking a “staycation” can give you much-needed time away from work and remove you from additional work related stress and the risk of burnout. A break from work can allow you to rebuild your energy and provides the opportunity to catch up on sleep and exercise. A well-rested mind, free of worry, is often more effective and creative. Taking time off can be a great chance to relax, rest and enjoy the most of what life has to offer, even life during a pandemic.