When life feels overwhelming, the first step toward self-regulation is as simple as breathing. Our Breath anchors the body and calms the mind, helping us shift from reaction to response. Try this: pause, inhale slowly through your nose for four counts, hold for two, and exhale through your mouth for six. This small act signals safety to your nervous system and begins to restore balance. In the BINGO model I have developed, B stands for Breath, the foundation of staying present. We’ll explore a new letter and strategy each month to help you feel grounded, present, and self-full.
Community News
Wellness Expo – Call for Exhibitors
Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® will host the 5th Annual Wellness Expo on February 28, 2026 at Beban Park Social Centre in Nanaimo. Registration is now open for Exhibitors. The Expo offers a day to explore various approaches to health, nutrition, fitness, and overall well-being. It will feature exhibitors, health talks and more. The 2024 Expo attracted over 700 attendees. Early Bird Exhibitor rate ends on January 15, 2026.
Time to Get Your Dentures Checked
Ho! Ho! Ho! It is not that time of year yet, but, if you hope to get a new smile before Christmas, book appointments soon. The busy time for denturists is September to December, so it is a good idea to book appointments now. If your dentures are over seven years old, they may need replacing due to tooth wear. If they are two to five years old, they may need to be refitted with a reline. If you are in the habit of using adhesives, it is time to have your dentures evaluated.
Your Personal Pharmacist
Do you have a personal pharmacist on your wellness team? A personal pharmacist pays close attention to your needs and provides personalized care. Whether it’s managing your diabetes, heart health, or another chronic condition, they are invested in your health. Your personal pharmacist can help make sure your medication is the right fit and introduce you to tools that make day-to-day medication management easier. With the expanded role of pharmacists, they can assess and prescribe medication for certain minor conditions that do not require a doctor’s visit. When you have a minor condition, book an appointment with your pharmacist for a free assessment.
Reduced Reverse Mortgage Fees
Are you a homeowner with low or no mortgage debt but hardly any income beyond basic pensions to pay for living expenses? With a Reverse Mortgage, you can get up to 55% of the value of your home, and use the funds to enjoy hobbies, travel or assist family. This is a great time to apply. Until the end of the year, I am sharing my commission with you. Receive 50% off the setup fees for successful new applications over $250,000. Contact me today for a free, no-obligation consultation to determine if a reverse mortgage suits you.
Protect Yourself & Others: Get Vaccinated
Influenza and COVID-19 can cause serious illness, hospitalization, and even death—especially in older adults and those with health challenges. Vaccination is a simple, proven way to protect yourself and those you love. Each shot reduces the risk of severe illness and helps prevent outbreaks in our community. Getting vaccinated truly saves lives. At Comfort Keepers, we understand that appointments can be difficult for frail or elderly adults. Our caregivers provide safe, reliable transportation to vaccination clinics and other important health visits—helping you stay healthy and independent.
Reduce the Risk of Falls
Falls are a leading cause of injury among seniors, often resulting in lasting mobility challenges. Maintaining and strengthening balance is essential for independence and confidence. The SuperPatch uses innovative vibrotactile technology to enhance body awareness and stability, helping to prevent falls naturally. Complementing this, acupuncture and cupping support balance by improving circulation, reducing pain, and calming the nervous system. Together, SuperPatch, acupuncture and cupping create a powerful, drug-free approach to help seniors stay grounded, steady, strong and active. They reduce fall risk while improving overall well-being and quality of life. Doreen offers FREE 15-minute consultations and balance testing.
Caring for Community at Christmas
As the holiday season approaches, some residents are looking forward to the festivities, while others are anxious about how they will manage. Many are concerned about where their meals will come from and how they will provide gifts for their children and grandchildren. Since 1968, the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program has ensured that local children and youth receive something special under the Christmas tree. It also allows families and individuals to choose holiday food that is meaningful to them. Registration for the SOS Christmas program begins on November 18. To access or support the program, visit our website or call our office.
Resilience at Any Age
Resilience is the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties, adapting physically and mentally to whatever challenge is presented. One way to build resilience is to participate in Neuromovement lessons to make new brain connections. Resilience helps your body move more easily and enables you to find new ways of thinking, perceiving the world, and problem-solving. Your ability to adapt becomes hindered when you encounter the same moving or thought patterns. It is never too late to build resilience and new brain connections.
Downsizing Checklist for Seniors
The thought of downsizing can be very frightening. Here is a checklist that can make the task less daunting: *Create a plan—decide on a moving date, hire help, and decide what you can’t live without. *Organize future floor space—measure your future home and your furniture to make sure it will fit. *Tackle smaller areas first. *Get rid of unwanted items—host a yard sale, donate, recycle, or give them away. *Move larger areas—organize kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. *Prepare moving paperwork—contact utility services, update billing address, and notify the post office of the change of address. Visit our website for more information.
Live Theatre “A Baker’s Dozen”
It is winter and bitterly cold. Jason Gregory sits in a modest hotel room. He is there because the last living member of his family, his sister, has died. Enter the fascinating dreamscape drama of this world premiere production of “A Baker’s Dozen”, written by local Nanaimo playwright Ward Norcutt. Join us on the journey into Jason’s mind as the voices of his family inundate him, played out before you. This living, breathing family drama dives into the ties of family bonds and the stakes and curses, both real and imagined, that will leave you moved to the core.
