Community News
Community Announcement

Come and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the Comox Seniors’ Centre at 1801 Beaufort Ave in Comox. Enjoy a coffee and meal at Dei’s Cafe with friends or meet new acquaintances. Pick up Dei’s hot meals to go; ask what’s on the menu. Check out the library for a good book, DVD or puzzle. Looking for a handmade gift for someone special; our best kept secret Gift Shop is waiting for you. Become a member and participate in the many activities available.

Community Announcement

The Wicking Dementia and Research Centre offers free online courses. Based in Tasmania, Australia, these programs use data from around the world to provide excellent information for students. Links to the following course can be found here: https://mooc.utas.edu.au
Understanding Dementia begins in July
The ageing of human populations across the globe has contributed to dementia being identified as one of the public health issues of the 21st century. The MOOC curriculum addresses this health issue by drawing upon the expertise of neuroscientists, clinicians and dementia care professionals from both within the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, and beyond.

Community Announcement

Comox Valley Senior Support Society, dedicated to helping seniors, is seeking volunteers to join our Board of Directors. The Board provides governance, leadership, fundraising, and financial oversight to staff and the Society’s operations. Meetings are held once per month, with additional support required on an as needed basis. 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]

Profile: Nurse Next Door

Here at Nurse Next Door, it’s about caring, not just health care™. We help seniors stay in their own homes. The goal is to give families peace of mind and allow seniors to maintain their dignity and remain as independent as possible. Our extraordinary family of Caregivers will take care of your loved one so you can get back to being a daughter or son. Our in-home caregivers build relationships and encourage independence. Matched specially for your loved one, they’re flexible, supportive, and passionate about helping Mom or Dad live more comfortably. Contact us today for a free Caring Consult.

Ask Your Pharmacist for Help

If you are struggling with a minor health problem, a Pharmacist can help. They can *Recommend a non-prescription medication for minor conditions such as dry skin, fungal infection, diarrhea or constipation that do not require a doctor’s visit. *Provide advice on Over the Counter (OTC) Medications. They can guide you through the different options and help you make an informed choice. *Recommend that you seek urgent care or emergency care if they see a red flag regarding your condition. *Prepare Your Medication List. It is useful to have a list of your medication and allergies in case of emergency, travel or a doctor appointment.

Helping Kids Thrive this Summer

Families are always looking for affordable ways to keep busy minds engaged during the summer. SOS offers families positive programs that enable local children and youth to experience a fun summer while strengthening their social and mental wellbeing. This is especially important for youth transitioning into adulthood. At SOS, youth can connect with responsible adults in a safe environment, receive support, eat nutritious food, make new friends, and learn about community resources. To learn more about these free programs and how to support them, visit our website or come by our Community Services Centre in Parksville.

After A Fall

On average, every 22 seconds, a person over the age of 65 experiences a fall. Falls often result in bruises and broken bones. Being unable to get up after a fall can cause further, more serious injury. It is estimated that half of the older adults who fall cannot get back up without help. The longer a person is down, the greater the risk of medical problems. Fortunately, an added layer of protection is now available for Lifeline users. The AutoAlert option automatically places a call for help if a fall is detected. Please contact us for more information.

Dealing with Grief & Trauma

Trauma and grief often go hand-in-hand, and learning how to mourn can be a crucial part of healing. Grief is the reactions that we must mourn through to shift to an active, shared response instead of a passive, isolated one. Six ways to help active mourning include: 1) Acknowledging the loss is real. 2) Interacting with the pain instead of avoiding it. 3) Honouring what you loved about who/what you are mourning. 4) Discovering the new you in the context of loss. 5) Finding meaning and purpose beyond what happened. 6) Getting ongoing support and talking with loved ones and/or a professional.

What Does Health Mean to You?

What is your definition of health? It can be different depending on your goals, ability, current health status, and other aspects of your life. Health incorporates mental, physical, and social health, just to name a few areas that impact our overall health and what we consider health to be, look like and feel like. Before you make your next health goal, define what health means to you. Research, reflection, and coaching can all help set goals, formulate plans, and the all-important maintenance phase of all changes that come with goal setting. I can help.

Welcome to Summer

Summer has arrived! This is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and take in a baseball game or two. Check out the Wellness Hub, your local, online Health and Wellness resource for information that can help you make the most out of summer. 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 resources also include our printed newsletters, the “Wellness Wednesday” radio show and our Expos. Check out the Hub for more information and to enter our July contest.

Your Final Resting Place

When you die, where would you like your final resting place to be? With your partner? With your parents or children? If you are like most, you have not yet made up your mind. This is a conversation that should take place sooner rather than later. If your plans have been made, you want to ensure that they are up-to-date. These days, many Canadians are moving farther away, living longer and changing family traditions. This reinforces the need to review and update your end-of-life plans every five-to-ten years or so, or when major life events happen. We can help.