Quality of Life is about much more than having a roof over your head and food in the cupboard. It’s about what your community provides to ensure the emotional, physical, mental and social well-being of all its residents. SOS provides programs and services for seniors and adults who require assistance in order to age in place and remain independent. To learn more about SOS and how to access or support programs like Meals on Wheels, Oceanside Better at Home and Seniors Connecting, visit our website, call or come by our Community Services Centres in Parksville or at Qualicum Commons.
Community News
Make Wellness Your Number One Priority
We are constantly moving on the axis of “Wellness to Illness”. Only when we have repeated symptoms that slow us down and interfere with our busy lives, do we start paying attention to our bodies. It usually starts with stress and worries causing an imbalance of our energy on a cellular level. If this continues, additional stress on the body in the form of environmental toxins, EMFs or unhealthy foods increases the energy imbalance. In order to balance our energies, we need to incorporate wellness practices and routines to return our body back to homeostasis. We can help.
Have You Considered Senior Living?
Are you tired of cooking and cleaning? Do you find the responsibility of home ownership overwhelming? Are you lonely or often find yourself feeling sad? Today’s seniors have the option to live in beautiful surroundings where their independence is respected but assistance is available if required. Say goodbye to the responsibilities of grocery shopping, preparing meals, cleaning and maintenance and say hello to chef prepared meals and snacks, weekly housekeeping, 24 hour emergency response, access to wonderful amenities and lots of recreation and activities. It is recommend that you start looking for options BEFORE you have to do so.
Practicing Positivity
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by stress and anxiety during challenging and uncertain times. Positive thinking can help you to handle problems more effectively and provide a boost to your immune system and self-esteem. Step 1: Write down the things you are worried and stressed about to get them out of your head. Step 2: Make a list of things you feel positive or grateful for. Step 3: When you find yourself in a negative thought, remind yourself of the things you are grateful for. This will help to train your brain to focus on the positive.
It’s Not the “Things” that Matter
“The secret to having everything in life, is believing that you already have it.” Many seniors will tell you that the things that you thought mattered in your younger years were not really what mattered. It’s not the ‘things’ that matter. It’s the people, the experiences, the memories that you carry with you throughout your lifetime. Retirement communities are great places for retirees to continue to make new friends, have new experiences and make more wonderful memories. We should all strive every day to learn something new or meet someone new – it’s what keeps us young at heart!
Retirement Living
When you hear the words “independent retirement living”, what comes to mind? Do you think of *tasty home-cooked meals, *five-star plated celebrations, *fun-filled activities with friends, *weekly housekeeping and linen service and *24/7 emergency care when needed? This is what retirement living can offer and more. Whether relaxing in the privacy of your individualized senior apartment or indulging the company of others in a main living room, patio side lounge or dining room, you can be sure that your retirement will be a pleasurable one. Retirement is a time to relax and enjoy being with friends. After all, friendships are gifts to be treasured!
Physical Health is Key
There are three key factors when it comes to our physical health; Fitness, Food and Mindset. Fitness or any activity that gets you moving is important but not in the way you might think. Focusing on muscle growth and cardiovascular performance is WAY more important than how many calories you burn. You can’t out-train a bad diet. Therefore, focus on whole foods, eat your veggies and good quality fats and proteins. Lastly, our mindset can be what unconsciously drives our behavior, so unless limiting beliefs are addressed, they can lead you back to old habits that won’t help you reach your goals.
Profile – Beyond The Body Transformations
At Beyond The Body Transformations, we use the Touch For Health system; an amalgamation of the Chinese Meridian System and a non-invasive biofeedback technique called “muscle-testing” to communicate with the subtle energies within the body. We identify where your energy is imbalanced, blocked, trapped or stagnant and make the necessary corrections. Energy can become imbalanced due to the physical, emotional or nutritional traumas that we experience throughout our lives. Clearing these energetic blockages and re-establishing balance within the body can help give life to our innate healing systems within to relieve physical pains, digestive discomforts and emotional struggles.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Dentures
To get the most out of your dentures, it’s important to take proper care of them. Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to denture care. DO: 1) Handle your dentures carefully. 2) Remove and rinse after eating. 3) Remove before bed and soak overnight. 4) Rinse before putting them back in your mouth. 5) Brush dentures daily. 6) See your dentist regularly. DON’T: 1) Use whitening toothpaste, abrasive cleaners, bleach products, sharp objects, or hot water to clean your dentures. 2) Use tugging motions when eating. 3) Neglect your dentures. 4) Wear ill-fitting dentures.
Time for the Booster Shot
Have you had you COVID-19 Booster Shot? It is strongly recommended that everyone who is eligible should get their third and fourth booster shot as soon as possible. The COVID virus and Omicron variant still pose severe health risks. Immune-compromised individuals and the elderly are the most vulnerable. People who have COVID-19 still need the booster vaccines three months after infection due to the severe health risks and the fact that re-infection is possible. Currently research suggests that natural immunity from COVID-19 lasts for only a short period of time and that the vaccine offers better protection than natural immunity.
Caring for Hearing Devices
Taking good care of your hearing aids can significantly prolong their life. *Make sure your hands are clean and dry before handling your hearing aids. *Clean them regularly using your hearing aid cleaning kit. *Remove hearing aids before showering, bathing or swimming and store in a dry location away from condensation. *Remove them before applying perfume or hair spray. *Store them in their case or drying cup away from heat sources and direct sunlight. *If you won’t be using your hearing aids for an extended period, remove the batteries and store them separately. *Use a hearing aid expert if you need repairs.
