Community News
Support Locals in Need this Christmas

For over 50 years, the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program has been creating the magic of Christmas. The program provides a gift for children and youth so there is something special for them under the tree on Christmas morning. Adults receive local grocery store gift cards so they may choose food that is important to them. To support the program donate online, call 250.248.2093, find an SOS Angel Tree in a local business, or attend a local event that benefits the program. Drop off a new, unwrapped gift or monetary donation to the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville. Visit the website for drop-off times.

Combatting Isolation

Our lives have changed drastically over the past eight months and it is affecting our mental and physical health. Social distancing and social isolation go hand in hand. Make sure that you take the time every day to reach out to loved ones, friends and neighbours. Pick a book to share and start a book club. Send mail the old-fashioned way, go for a socially distanced stroll. If you are feeling isolated please call us, we can help!

Benefits of Independent Living

Independent senior living, bridging the gap between aging in place and assisted living, is a retirement haven for seniors who want flexibility and peace of mind. Independent living communities have blossomed, allowing creative cuisine, independent schedules, private parking, and flexible service programs. Say goodbye to the hassle of hydro bills, dishes, vacuuming, or grocery shopping. Independent living communities have in-house maintenance workers, and landscapers to take care of it all for you. Time to start enjoying retirement and living the good life! If you are an active senior looking to get the most out of your retirement, we encourages you to learn more about independent living.

Get Help Wherever You are!

You may not be going out as much as usual but you still want to feel secure knowing that help is available no matter where you might be! Whether in your home, walking to your mailbox or going for a walk in the park, there are devices available that give you 24/7 access to help. These on-the-go devices can send an alert when you press a button, sense when you fall and send an automatic alert, and provide direct, two-way communication with a 24/7 Response Center. They are designed to help locate the user in a variety of situations – home or away, indoors and out.

Winter Programs to Help You Stay Active

Studies continually show the benefits of being active and socializing as an important part of being healthy – both physically and emotionally even during a pandemic. The City of Nanaimo is excited to be offering winter programs that take place from January to March. Registration for these program starts on Wednesday, December 2. Join us this season for swimming, skating, fitness, yoga, art, language courses and more! Parks & Recreation offers classes that have safety protocols in place to keep you safe from COVID-19. See our website for a listing of all our upcoming winter programs.

Take a “Staycation”

Taking a vacation can benefit your overall wellbeing and it doesn’t have to mean leaving town or hopping on a plane. Taking a “staycation” can give you much-needed time away from work and remove you from additional work related stress and the risk of burnout. A break from work can allow you to rebuild your energy and provides the opportunity to catch up on sleep and exercise. A well-rested mind, free of worry, is often more effective and creative. Taking time off can be a great chance to relax, rest and enjoy the most of what life has to offer, even life during a pandemic.

Eliminate Pain & Regenerate Joints

To eliminate the pain of any form of musculo-skeletal injury and to regenerate any joint, especially with osteo-arthritic elements; acupuncture and Prolozone injection therapy are my treatment protocols. Each component of Prolozone therapy has a specific biological purpose. Procaine acts to re-establish cellular membrane potentials. Anti-inflammatory agents decrease edema and swelling. The inclusion of vitamins and minerals provides necessary substrates of oxygen utilization that in damaged tissues are often deficient. And finally, oxygen utilization is directly stimulated by ozone. In many cases Prolozone actually corrects the pathology of the disorder, there is a 75% chance for the chronic pain sufferer to
becoming permanently pain free.

The Gift of Gratitude & Reflection

As we move into the darkest and shortest day of the year on December 21st, we enter a month of reflection and appreciation for what we have and who we have in our lives. Creating a gratitude list, sending notes of thanks and appreciation, taking inventory of the significant moments of our past year in review. Taking the time to reflect, sets the stage and allows us to better figure out where we want to put our energy and move towards the new year to come.

The Buddy System

If you’ve ever suffered an injury to one area, only to have another suddenly start acting up as well, you’re not alone! Let’s say for instance, that your shoulder doesn’t move fully into flexion on its own, but you’re completely unaware because your back always helps out by going into a little bit of extension – but then you hurt your back… Now your back can’t lend that movement to your arm, and suddenly, not only does your back hurt, but your shoulder isn’t moving well! Are you interested to know how your body parts are working together? We can work together in person or virtually to explore your unique movement puzzle!

Ask The Expert

Q: I’m worried about my blood sugar over the holidays – should I be worried about my eyes?

A: Assuming that you’re diabetic, then of course your eyes will need basic routine checkups; we commonly check for diabetic eye problems like retinal bleeding or severe changes in focus. This sounds like a more general concern about your health, and you may need to talk to your physician or dietician about more specific concerns about your blood sugar control.

Improving Our Immune System

A strong immune system equips the body with the defenses necessary to fight infectious diseases and cancers and assists in recovering from illness. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there is no time like the present to work on improving yours. A brief increase in body temperature during and directly following exercise may prevent bacteria from growing and may also help the body fight infection. Exercise helps regulate the autonomic nervous system which is responsible for regulating body temperature. Moderate exercise has been shown to bolster the function of certain components of the human immune system-such as natural killer cells, circulating T-and B-lymphocytes, and cells of the monocyte-macrophage system- thereby possibly decreasing the incidence of some infections.