Feeling stuck? Need some motivation? Join us in Move for Mentoring and show local children that goals can be achieved! Choose any goal to move towards and share it on our website – or team up to have a BIG impact. Take on our Three-Week Challenge and get free access to classes and resources on fitness, goal-setting, mental health, financial planning and more. Register today – the first $15,000 raised will be matched by Peninsula Co-op. Feel good about making a difference for young people in our community while focusing on your wellness.
Community News
Welcome to Spring
Spring has arrived! This is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and attend community events. Check out the Wellness Hub, your local, online Health and Wellness resource for information that can help you make the most out of spring. It features hundreds of health tips and articles along with a directory of local businesses and practitioners offering services and products. Our health and wellness resource also includes our printed newsletters, “Wellness Wednesday” podcasts and community events. Check out the Hub for more information and to enter our April contest for a chance to win an Epicure Gift Basket.
Remember 1-4-2
Have you heard of Canada’s Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines (#LRGG)? Guideline 1: Gamble no more than 1% of household income, e.g.: $60,000 annual gross income = $50/month. Guideline 2: Gamble no more than 4 days per month = roughly once a week. Guideline 3: Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of games, including lotteries, sports betting, table games, slot machines, scratch tickets, horse racing, bingo, video lottery terminals (VLTs), and online gambling. Mental health & addictions, gambling type and reasons for gambling can make these guidelines difficult to follow. Reach out to VI Gaming Support! We’re here for you.
Income Tax
The Senior Information and Access Services Team will once again be offering its expertise to assist seniors with their taxes! Seniors must register with CVSS to access this service (a fast and painless process!). Please contact Chris or Tiss at 250-871-5940 or [email protected] to register.
Fanny Bay/Union Bay Caregiver Support Group
We are considering launching a Caregiver Support Group in Fanny Bay/Ship’s Point area in April or May. Please contact the CVSS office if you are interested in attending!
Recruiting 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.
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! 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.
Non-English Speaking Seniors
People in British Columbia whose first language is Tagalog or Hindi can now access the updated BC Seniors’ Guide in their own language.
The enhanced 12th edition of the guide was published in July 2021 in seven languages: English, Chinese, French, Punjabi, Farsi, Korean and Vietnamese. All languages can be accessed online in PDF format, and print copies can be ordered through the Office of the Seniors Advocate.
To access the BC Seniors’ Guide in all nine languages, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/seniorsguide
To order free print copies, call (toll-free): 1 877 952-3181
Did You Know?
Seniors are living longer than ever before. Advances in oral health care prevention and disease treatment mean that many seniors will have some or all of their natural teeth.
When we age, teeth undergo changes. Sometimes these changes are affected by chronic diseases and the use of medications. Some changes may include:
• Sensitive teeth – teeth can be sensitive to hot or cold foods and/or touch
• Exposed roots – gums may start to pull away from your teeth as you age. Exposed roots are exposed to bacteria that can cause cavities
• Darker or yellower teeth – the colour of teeth naturally changes with age. Also, consuming staining food and drink over a lifetime can change the colour of teeth. Plaque also builds up faster as we age and can accumulate stains.
April is Oral Health Month
What better time to think about how you take care of your mouth? Not only is good dental health important to having healthy teeth and gums, but it may also lower your risk of chronic disease. Four things you can do to maximize oral health:
1. Make nutritious food choices – avoid high sugar and high acid foods and drinks. 2. Visit your dental professional regularly – if accessing affordable care is a challenge for you, please contact Comox Valley Senior Support and we will do our best to assist you. 3. Brush and floss every day!
4. Avoid tobacco.
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.
