Community News
Words to Live By

There are greater things to be achieved in every New Year, and each and everyone must prepare themselves to be great, not by words of the mouth, but by a lot of sacrifices. – Michael Bassey Johnson

DECEMBER LOCAL WELLNESS BOX PRIZE PACKAGE

Over $500.00 worth of prizes including; $210.00 Therapeutic Yoga-Based Movement Gift Card – BodyWell Remedial Exercise & Registered Massage Therapy www.getbodywell.com
$115.00 Initial evaluation and treatment Gift Card – Red Sage Wellness – Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine www.redsagewellness.com
2 Tickets to the Vancouver Island Symphony – Mozart’s Serenade March 19, 2022 in Nanaimo www.vancouverislandsymphony.com
Voxxlife Socks from Great Socks for All – www.greatsocksforall.voxxlife.com
Cactus Club – Gift Card www.cactusclubcafe.com/location/victoria

Holidays with Dementia

Many older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia enjoy and want to be included in holiday festivities. However, the added activities could cause increased agitation and confusion, unpredictable behavior, or mood swings. To create a stress-free, happy holiday season, try to scale things back and modify activities so they’ll feel calm and safe. Focus on a few of the most meaningful traditions. Ask which activities they value most. That could mean trimming the Christmas tree, lighting the menorah, singing songs, or baking special holiday treats. Even if your older adult might not remember these holiday activities later, the warm feelings they’ll have is a different kind of memory their body will carry for a while.

Phones for Hearing Impaired

There is nothing sweeter than the sound of a loved one’s voice even if it is only on the telephone. Unfortunately for someone with hearing loss, using the telephone can be a frustrating experience. Suffering from hearing loss not only affects your hearing in live conversations, it makes using the telephone a real challenge. Because of today’s inclusive technology, phones and other useful hearing aid accessories for communication for people hard of hearing are now available. Hearing aid phones are a great gift that will help your loved one live life normally despite the hearing loss.

Should I Remove my Dentures at Night?

Removing your dentures at night while you sleep will increase your oral health and your gums will thank you for it! Experts highly advise that if you wear dentures, you should be giving your gums and dentures a well-deserved break at nighttime. Soaking your dentures in a denture cleaning solution or clean water will increase their longevity and will keep them in tip-top shape, which in turn will prevent bacteria and plaque buildup. Additionally, your gums will have an opportunity to be naturally cleaned by saliva in the mouth, which will prevent infections from developing and decrease the chance of irritations your mouth.

Honour Yourself During the Holidays

The holidays can be a time of loving reunions, catch-ups, heartfelt connections, and joy, or they can be filled with obligations, expectations, and old patterns with emerging drama. When we can empower ourselves to know we have a choice as to where to best put our energies, what to let go of and forgive, and where to take a stand and set boundaries, we honour ourselves. Despite the illusion of social media, the “perfect family” does not exist where all things look “wonderful and together” all the time. Instead, the holidays offer us the perfect opportunity to stay true and nurture ourselves in the midst of giving and receiving.

Gift Ideas for Seniors

Seniors can sometimes be hard to buy gifts for, but there are some simple and thoughtful gifts that any older adult would be happy to receive. Experience gifts are a great way to show you care! This could include a special day out, a class you take together, a bucket list experience, or a special meal. If your loved one enjoys corresponding, stationery sets can be great, or you can go digital with online subscriptions to magazines or gift cards to purchase books or music online. Comforting gifts like non-skid slippers, scented soaps, or scrapbooks are also good ideas!

Taking Extra Care in Winter

‘Tis the season for freezing temperatures and slippery conditions that can lead to falls, falls that can result in serious injuries. In addition to obvious hazardous environmental conditions, the winter months bring with them unique characteristics and combinations of conditions that contribute to a higher risk of falling. Hypothermia, vitamin D deficiencies, and bringing winter risks indoors is among them. Work to help prevent winter falls by wearing foot wear that provides a good grip, dressing warmly – try layering your clothes, talk to your doctor about vitamin D supplements, and clean up any puddles from any weather you’ve tracked inside your home.

No Longer Gambling Just for Fun?

December can be a challenging month at the best of times. The pandemic has taken its toll on us emotionally, physically, intellectually, spiritually, and financially. Online gambling has increased in popularity while land-based venues have reopened where players have renewed their patronage. If gambling used to be a light-hearted and fun activity but has changed to become an outlet or longshot for financial and/or emotional stress relief, connect with us at VI Gaming Support. You can reach us by phone, text, email, social media (Facebook & Instagram), or online on our website at VIGamingSupport.ca. Provincial toll-free support line 1-888-795-6111 is open 24/7.

Focus on the Good Moments

As 2021 comes to an end, and we reflect on all that has happened, it is important to take note and remember the good moments along the way. With the challenges of the global pandemic still evolving, and other external stressors that occurred through the year, it can be easy to forget those moments of joy and connection that were experienced. With the holiday season approaching, take a moment to remember those good moments, and reach out to share those memories with those you were with. Choose to focus on the good moments and share that with others.