When the responsibility and cost of homeownership become overwhelming, it may be a good time to sell the family home. Today’s seniors have the option to live in beautiful surroundings where their independence is respected but assistance is available if required. The best time to start looking for options is before you have to do so. Retirement communities are great places for retirees to make new friends, have new experiences, and make wonderful memories. We should all strive every day to learn something new or meet someone new—it’s what keeps us young at heart!
Community News
Plan for the Future
There are many conversations that families should have. One of those concerns your final wishes. Planning your funeral and cemetery arrangements in advance means you can discuss the options with family in a relaxed, stress-free environment. The other conversation is planning for your future health care. If you were sick and couldn’t speak for yourself, would your family know your wishes? You might be surprised by the space between what you want for future care and what your loved ones think you want. It’s important that they know your values, what is meaningful in your life, and how you would like decisions to be made.
Motion Before Motivation
Most people are waiting for motivation. Waiting to feel ready. But motivation isn’t what starts the process — it’s what the process creates. Action comes first. Motivation follows. That pressure you feel before you start something new isn’t a lack of motivation. It’s inertia. And a small action in the right direction is all it takes to overcome it. You don’t need to force yourself to exercise for an hour. You need to put on your shoes and go for a 10-minute walk. Not because ten minutes transforms your body, but because it breaks the stall. That small force creates motion, and motion creates more motion.
Celebrate Seniors in June and All Year Long
June is Seniors Month in BC. It is a time to celebrate the contributions, resilience, and wisdom of the older adults and spend time with the seniors in your life. June is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the many wonderful events and activities spring has to offer. The weather is not too hot to enjoy nature. Encourage seniors to socialize and engage with others in the community to combat social isolation and loneliness. There are many senior organizations and groups that offer regular get-togethers, activities, and presentations on a variety of topics. Help your senior loved one rediscover fun!
Denture Cleaning
Cleaning advice from my clients and my Dad. His advice: Do the simplest thing first to solve a problem. Start with over-the-counter denture tablets. Double the concentration if you don’t see results in a week; it won’t hurt the plastics or metal. Use a soft sponge or cloth to remove debris, not a toothbrush or toothpaste. In the lab, I use a small disposable bristle brush. No knives or sandpaper to scrape stuff off. Put a facecloth in the sink just in case you drop them. Beware of homemade remedies; no bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Contact us for all your denture needs.
Connections Matter on Father’s Day
Father’s Day offers a poignant reminder of the vital role mental health plays in the lives of our aging parents. For seniors residing in independent living homes, the benefits extend beyond physical care. These communities foster crucial social interactions that can stave off the loneliness and depression often faced by those living alone. Friendships formed in these environments provide emotional support, joy, and a sense of belonging. Celebrating Father’s Day in such a setting underscores the importance of a strong support network. By prioritizing companionship and mental well-being, we honour our fathers not just with gifts, but with the invaluable gift of connection.
Need a Doctor Fast?
Medicine Shoppe has partnered with Avee Health to bring you doctor access that is high-quality, efficient, and—most importantly—fast! Skip the waiting room and get a same-day virtual consultation with a licensed BC doctor at The Medicine Shoppe. Prescriptions come directly to our pharmacy. Pickup or home delivery is available. A visit can be arranged in four easy steps: 1) Visit or call us. 2) Book your virtual visit. 3) Talk to a doctor. 4) Pick up your medication or have it delivered. Contact us today to access Avee Health for same-day doctor appointments, prescription refills and addressing minor ailments.
Meet the Practitioner: Stephanie Brossard
Stephanie is a Certified Advanced Rolfer™. She graduated from the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute in 2015 and completed her advanced training in Germany in 2023. Stephanie is also a certified yoga instructor, which is a great combination for understanding how bodies move and function. Stephanie found Rolfing when she was searching for a solution to the issues she was having after a bunion surgery. She had tried everything she could think of, but nothing seemed to help. Three sessions of Rolfing fixed the problem for good and changed her life forever, as she decided that she wanted to be a Rolfer and help people too.
Support for Healthy Aging
Red light therapy is gaining attention as a safe, non-invasive way to support healthy aging. Using gentle wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, the therapy stimulates cellular energy production in the body’s mitochondria. Research indicates it reduces joint pain and inflammation, improves circulation, supports muscle recovery, and promotes healthier skin. Many people also report better sleep and increased energy. Sessions are relaxing, painless, and an opportunity to be at peace. As interest in drug-free wellness solutions grows, red light therapy is becoming a popular option for seniors looking to stay active, comfortable, and vibrant while supporting their overall health and vitality.
Do I Need an Eye Exam?
Eye exams play a major role in maintaining eye health. Not only do they indicate whether you need glasses or a prescription change, but they also help detect eye conditions that can affect your vision. Optometrists use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to see the health of your eyes. OCT takes pictures to create a 3D scan of the back of your eye to help detect conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma and the earliest stages of age-related macular degeneration. At Specsavers, we include OCT scans with every standard eye exam.
BINGO: Give or Get What’s Needed
Once you have named and normalized your feelings, the next step is to respond with care. Ask yourself, What do I need right now? Sometimes the answer is to give yourself something: a break, comfort, movement, or connection. Other times, it is to reach out and get support from someone else. In the BINGO model, G stands for Give or Get What’s Needed, a reminder that self-regulation is not about doing it alone, but about meeting your needs with kindness and intention.
