Community News
Second Home for Seniors

The Comox Seniors’ Centre, located at 1801 Beaufort Ave in Comox, offers a wide range of opportunities to socialize, be physically fit, and stay mindfully active. The Centre re-opened in July with an on-site meal service and more than 40 club activities ranging from Yoga, Carpet Bowling, Table Tennis, Line Dancing, Mah Jong, Bridge, Spanish Conversation, etc. For many seniors this Centre is their second home. For more information, drop in or call 250-339-5133 or visit our website www.comoxseniors.ca Comox Seniors’ Centre.

Volunteer Needed

The vital component of most of our programs at Comox Valley Senior Support Society CV Senior Support are volunteers. While staff coordinate the pieces to make programs work, it is our incredible volunteers who venture into the community and provide the supports many of our clients depend upon. Volunteering at Comox Valley Senior Support can range from a weekly phone call or in person visit to grocery shopping or assisting seniors to fill out forms and find resources. Volunteers are provided with training and support and opportunities for ongoing education. As our volunteers retire, we need to replace them. If you have an interest in supporting seniors in your community, please contact the office at [email protected] or 250-871-5940 to find out more.

Aging at Home

Many seniors would prefer to stay at home than move into a senior care home, but there are some challenges to consider. Factors like finances, physical mobility, social network, health concerns, and safety in the home are all things to think about. If you decide to remain in your home, discuss your plans with your family or a trusted advisor. It’s important to prepare your home to ensure you can live comfortably and safely there, using various aids and tools to make things easier. In-home care can also provide much-needed day-to-day support, as well as transportation to appointments and gatherings.

Seniors and Stress

Chronic stress is harmful to people of all ages, but its impact on older adults can be particularly severe, increasing the risk of age-related diseases, hastening cognitive decline and even triggering falls. Stressors that are common amongst the elderly include: loss of control, personal loss, declining health, financial worries, personal safety and loss of independence. To reduce stress, get regular exercise, eat balanced meals to ensure the mind and body are properly fueled and ask for help. Talking with a trusted family member, friend or healthcare professional, at the very least, releases pent-up stress and may even lead to a solution.

It Is Important to Remember

In Canada, we celebrate Remembrance Day on November 11th. It is a day to remember those who went to war and those who didn’t return. Their sacrifice made Canada a country that makes its own destiny. Remembering is important. If you are emotional about your own memories, the Body Code healing modality can assist in putting them in perspective. A Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions that will assist you with creating healthy memories.

Herbs for the Immune System

Mother Nature gives us many valuable tools in building, protecting and maintaining a healthy immune system. These are some of the top herbals for anti-virus, cold/flu symptoms and immune support: *Echinacea, *Elderberry, *Andrographis, *Garlic, *Olive Leaf, *Licorice Root, *Ginger, *Lomatium, *Mushrooms such as Turkey Tail and Reishi. Also worthwhile supplementing with at this time is Superflavanoid Quercetin which is an antiinflammatory and antiviral. The effective ways to implement these are through tinctures, capsules, oils, and especially strong tea infusions.

Relief for Restless Legs

Are your legs keeping you from falling asleep? HealthLink BC identifies Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) as a disorder related to sensation and movement. The symptoms, often most severe at night, are unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs that cause an irresistible urge to move them. Moving the legs only relieves the discomfort temporarily. If symptoms are mild, a few lifestyle changes may be enough to control them. *Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine *Keep the bedroom cool, quiet, and comfortable *Get regular exercise *Massage the leg or use heat or ice packs. Some people find relief wearing socks with woven HPT technology.

Learning about BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia — an enlarged prostate — is a normal condition of aging in men. It is very common, with the incidence increasing significantly after age 40 and affecting nearly 3 of every 4 men who are over age 70. Symptoms may include increased frequency of urination, incomplete bladder emptying, and difficulty voiding urine. Fortunately, effective treatment options are available. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor and involve your pharmacist in discussions about your treatment. There is plenty that you can learn about prevention, medications, and other treatment options specific to your situation! For more information, see our full article at MedicineShoppeCourtenay.ca.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Life

Maintaining good oral health isn’t just about keeping your teeth and gums healthy – it can have an impact on the rest of your body as well. Research suggests that a buildup of dental plaque can be linked to other health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and even various types of infections. Brushing and flossing away dental plaque each day can help keep buildup under control and limit your risk of other issues linked to poor oral health. It’s important to see your dentist regularly to ensure your teeth, gums, and other oral tissue are in tip-top shape.

Hearing Loss Affecting Your Relationship?

Best Hearing Aids For 2021
Purchasing hearing aids is an important and expensive investment to make. The various brands, styles and features give people an opportunity to select a hearing aid that suits their lifestyle, hearing loss and preferences to personalize their hearing experience. Hearing aids are vast in their capabilities and features. For example, there are rechargeable hearing aids, automatic noise adjusting aids, Bluetooth pairing, tinnitus masking and much more. Every person is unique so naturally, hearing aids need to be unique for each individual. Learn more by reading our latest blog post.

The Wellness Hub Vancouver Island

Looking for more local health and wellness information? Check out the Wellness Hub Vancouver Island. It features hundreds of local business and practitioners offering services and products, health tips on a variety of topics, podcasts, reviews and more. It is easy to search, access and share information. While you are on the Wellness Hub, don’t forget to enter the November Contest for a Wellness Basket sponsored by Comfort Keepers In Home Care. The draw date is November 30, 2021.