Grief can feel overwhelming. Remembering loved ones through celebrations can offer comfort and healing. Whether it’s lighting a candle or sharing stories with family in a personalized celebration, these small acts help keep their memories alive. Celebrations of Life provide a sense of connection, allowing us to process emotions while honouring their legacy. They remind us that love doesn’t end with loss. It transforms into cherished memories that bring peace. Taking time to remember helps navigate grief with meaning and resilience, ensuring that those we’ve lost continue to have a presence in our lives.
Community News
Make Your Home Shine for the Holidays
The holiday season is a time for warmth, gatherings, and good cheer – it can also bring extra bustle! Before guests arrive, a little pre-holiday spruce-up can make your home sparkle. Focus on high-traffic areas like kitchens and entryways, polish those windows to let in the winter light, and don’t forget guest rooms for overnight visitors. Whether it’s a quick refresh or a full deep clean, a tidy home helps you relax and enjoy the season. TCB Cleaning Services can take care of the details so you can spend more time celebrating with the people you love.
The Brightest Gift This Winter
Rainy days and long nights can make winter feel lonely, especially for seniors. Connection is the greatest gift. A phone call, a visit, a shared story — these moments light up the season. At Everkind Home Support, we offer more than care: we bring warmth, dignity, and joy. From personal care to cozy drives to see the festive lights, we help seniors get out of the house while staying dry and comfortable. This Christmas and New Year, let’s remind our elders they’re never alone — because kindness, like family, makes all the difference.
Count Your Blessings
December is a perfect time to give thanks for our many blessings. We are passionate about sharing health and wellness information. We continue to publish our Choices for Healthy Living ® newsletters, including two SeniorsNews editions in Victoria and three WellnessNews editions on the central island. In addition to local newsletters, we offer the Wellness.News, our online resource, Wellness Expos and more. We thank our advertisers, readers, subscribers, distributors and community partners for helping us to spread the wellness message. We wish everyone Peace, Happiness and Good Health this Holiday Season.
NavCARE Dementia Navigator
Become a trained community member who builds trust and provides support to people living with dementia and their families. You Will:
• Build trust with people living with dementia
• Listen with compassion to understand needs
• Connect them to resources and social activities
• Support decision-making and independence
• Help reduce loneliness and isolation
Comprehensive Training: Online modules (4-6 hours), periodic training and peer meetups
Flexible Schedule: 1.5-2 hrs. every 2-3 weeks
Ready to Get Involved? Call Us: 604-531-9400 ext. 203 or Email Us: [email protected]
Day Program
Are you or your loved one struggling to thrive? Would you or your loved one like to maintain or improve your physical and cognitive functioning? Are you a caregiver who could use a few hours of respite during the week? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be a perfect candidate to access Brella’s Adult Day Program!
People who participate in our Adult Day Program report:
• Enhanced cognitive and physical functioning
• Feeling more connected and less lonely
• Enjoy warm lunch and snacks provided
• Look forward to coming back and participating in activities
Find out how to access our Adult Day Program and we can help find the location nearest to you
Angela Nial at 604-599-0034 ext. 302 or email [email protected]
All About Poinsettias
The popular Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a welcome addition to our homes during the dark days of December. Local greenhouses start producing these plants in September where they are carefully regulated for specific lengths of darkness each day, temperature control, amount of water, and fertilizer to produce the lush plants we find in our stores.
Poinsettias originated in Mexico where they grow wild, often in ditches by the roadside. In the 1820’s, John Roberts Poinsett, who was a botanist and the first U.S. minister to Mexico, brought it back to North America where it rapidly gained popularity as a holiday decoration.
Because it needs high temperatures outdoors, we keep them indoors in the winter. They are very sensitive to cold, and since they grow locally in very controlled environments, when you buy a plant it’s important to shelter it on the trip from the store to your home. Cover it in a paper bag, with crumpled newspaper all around to protect it from our cold weather.
They are available in a wide variety of colours but the most common are red, pink, and white. The vivid blues and purples are actually dyed but certainly give our homes a dramatic effect.
If you want to grow them in your summer garden, when the leaves fall off during late winter, cut the stems back to 2 buds and reduce watering to a minimum. Store them in a cool place and plant in your garden after the last frost of Spring.
To assure the best-looking December indoor plants, keep them in a sunny area, water moderately without letting them sit in water, and mist them occasionally. The milky sap in their stems can be irritating to our skin, so they should be handled with care. Enjoy your plants and best wishes for a happy holiday season.
Healthy Holiday Choices
Celebrate the festive season with simple, health-conscious choices that keep the joy alive while supporting your well-being. Replace sugary desserts with wholesome, homemade options such as dried fruit or dark chocolate. Choose whole-grain flours for your baking to add extra fiber and nutrients. Use herbs and spices to flavor dishes instead of heavy, creamy sauces. Opt for lean proteins like turkey, fish, or grilled vegetables for lighter yet satisfying meals. Stay refreshed by choosing water or herbal teas instead of sugary drinks. And don’t forget to add movement to your celebrations! Remember that if you choose to enjoy traditional festive treats – moderation is key!
Financial Fitness
With a reverse mortgage, you can live in the home you love while enjoying a comfortable lifestyle. This option allows you to access your home equity tax-free and use the funds however you wish. You can relieve financial pressure, cover healthcare expenses, or make home renovations. Additionally, it can provide an early inheritance, assist a family member or friend, alleviate debt, buy a vacation property, or fund travel. By preserving investments and increasing cash flow, a reverse mortgage helps you maintain financial stability and freedom in your golden years.
Light Therapy for SAD
Light therapy is a common treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that typically occurs during the darker months. It involves sitting near a specialized light box that mimics natural sunlight, usually in the morning for about 20-30 minutes daily. The bright light helps regulate melatonin and serotonin levels, which influence sleep and mood. This treatment can reduce symptoms like fatigue, sadness, and lethargy by resetting the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm. Consistency is key for effectiveness, and many find it boosts their mood, energy, and focus. Light therapy is a convenient, non-invasive option for SAD relief.
Gentle Arthritis Relief
As the weather gets colder, many people with arthritis experience increased stiffness and discomfort in their joints. Safe, gentle, and effective soft tissue therapy can provide meaningful relief. Techniques such as light massage, myofascial release, and gentle joint mobilizations help ease tension, improve circulation, and reduce painful tightness. Chiropractic adjustments further support joint alignment and mobility, enhancing flexibility and range of motion. Regular care before seasonal shifts can help individuals with arthritis better manage symptoms, maintain comfort, and continue daily activities with greater ease and confidence. This proactive approach supports long-term joint health and well-being.
