In 2012, an international survey of adult skills needed for success in work and everyday life was completed. Results showed that 45% of British Columbians aged 16 to 65 have difficulty accomplishing some daily living tasks due in part to limited literacy skills. There are likely as many reasons for low literacy as there are students. Online resources and community organizations can help; a major problem lies in finding and persuading those who could benefit to seek assistance. Perhaps an important first step that everyone can take is to help reduce the stigma associated with lower literacy levels.
Community News
Walk for Alzheimer’s May 28
Across BC, more than 85,000 people are currently living with dementia. This number is growing. To raise funds and awareness to create change for people affected by dementia, The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s is taking place on May 28th. Funds raised ensure that people living with dementia and their families have access to Alzheimer Society of BC support, education and information. We encourage you to walk in honour of someone in your life or community who has been touched by dementia. Nurse Next Door will participate in this walk to honour our clients living with dementia.
What happens to Your Brain While You Snooze
The mind processes complex thoughts, making memories stick, clearing out brain waste and much more. Sleep retains neuroplasticity, giving the ability for brain cells to strengthen important connections, and get rid of less important ones which is still an active area of research. When you don’t sleep, it’s harder to control emotions and moods. Sleep helps maintain executive functioning skills making us moody, less irritable, and less likely to lash out. While the brain sleeps, harmful toxins are cleared out. Certain proteins accumulate in the brain over the course of the day while awake. Proteins get cleared out during sleep.
Save the Date!
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.
Income Tax
The Senior Information and Access Services Team is wrapping up tax season for seniors with simple taxes needing to be done. Seniors must register with CVSS to access this service (a fast and painless process!) and incomes must be below $35,000 for a single person or $45,000 for a couple. Please contact Chris or Tiss at 250-871-5940 or [email protected] to register.
Health Care Presentation
Comox Valley Seniors Support, Elders Take Action and Better at Home are currently working together to bring British Columbia’s Senior’s Advocate Isobel MacKenzie to the Valley for a presentation about long term health care for seniors in BC. The tentative date, June 26, will be confirmed very soon.
National Seniors Strategy for Canada
The year 2015 marked the first time Canadians aged 65 and over started to outnumber children under the age of 15. This demographic shift in Canada prompted the publication of the first version of the National Seniors Strategy (NSS 2015), recognizing that Canada’s policy response to an ageing population was lagging behind real, historically unprecedented changes in the make-up of our national population. Older Canadians now represent Canada’s fastest growing demographic. In 2019, approximately 1 in 6 Canadians were over 65 years of age. By 2035, one in four Canadians will be over 65 years of age.
Read the full report about the need for a National Seniors Strategy here: http://nationalseniorsstrategy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NSS_2020_Third_Edition.pdf
Comox Valley Seniors Resource Guide
The 2023 Comox Valley Seniors Resource Guide is now out! This free guide is being dropped at locations around the Valley, but if you want one, or more, set aside for you, please contact the office (250-871-5940) and we will either hold one for you or arrange for delivery! 20,000 copies of this spiral bound guide were created in partnership between Comox Valley Senior Support and Denman and Hornby Community Health Care Services and are available free of charge.
Board Members
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.
Fresh Air & Exercise for Well-being
One of the best things about living on Vancouver Island is having nature right in our backyard. Springtime is a great time to take advantage of everything our island has to offer. Whether it is just a walk around the block or a hike up a mountain, the fresh air and exercise boost our well-being. So lace up your shoes and wear VoxxLife socks with HPT for enhanced balance and stability. Additional benefits include; enhanced pain relief and management, especially PDN pain and improved mobility.
Benefits of Mobility Scooters
If you or your loved one are considering getting a mobility scooter, it’s good to know there are many benefits to using one: 1) Lower risk of injuries – using a mobility scooter can reduce the risk of tripping, falling, or aggravating painful conditions. 2) Increased independence – mobility scooters provide a safe and reliable mode of transportation that allow users to get around on their own. 3) More socializing – being able to get around on your mobility scooter means more visits with friends and family. 4) Increased comfort – mobility scooters offer more comfort than devices like walkers, canes, or crutches.
