Community News
Community Profile – “Seniors Celebrate”

Do you know an inspirational senior? Nominate them for the “Community Champion” Awards. Nanaimo Seniors Connect is pleased to announce that October 2017 has been officially proclaimed by the City of Nanaimo as “Seniors Celebrate!” month highlighting positive, healthy aging and the many important roles that seniors play in our lives and community. As a part of this, the “Community Champion” awards will recognize seniors in Nanaimo who go above and beyond. In addition, there will be many special events – films, music, art, demonstrations, health & wellness fair and more.

For details, visit our website or call 250-760-0301.

Seniors Connect, NanaimoSeniorsConnect.ca

Is My Desk Trying to Kill Me?

Many of us are used to the discomfort associated with working at a desk and computer all day. Sometimes people have to take time off to recover from injuries due to repetitive strains associated with prolonged computer work. Ergonomics is the field of study where human-workplace interactions are evaluated and adjusted to reduce the negative impact our workstations have on us. Your office may have an individual trained to perform these evaluations. If not, there are outside companies who can be hired to come in and do the evaluation. Talk to your boss and see what your options are.

Dr. Amber Kenmuir, D.C., Long Lake Chiropractic, MySpine.ca

Accept Help to Remain Independent

Sometimes people find it very difficult to accept help. With many seniors, accepting help seems like losing independence. Many feel that admitting you need help tells the world that you are no longer able to live on your own. Installing a medical alarm system can actually increase your independence and reduce the risks of living alone or being left alone in your home. In fact, with a locally monitored system, you may be able to remain in your own home, comforted by the fact that if something should happen, help is just a button push away.

Joan Ryan, NanaimoLifeline.ca

Pharmacy at Home

Do you or your loved ones struggle with managing your medications or have challenges visiting the pharmacy? The Pharmacy at Home program can help. This is a complimentary, 100% patient-focused pharmacy service conducted in the comfort of your own home. The pharmacist comes to you and provides medication management, free prescription pickup and delivery and support for health and wellness. Other benefits include: personalized customer service, convenience and 25% off over-the-counter/non-prescription medications, supplements and home health products.

Mel & Kristen Azcarraga, Owners/Pharmacists, Medicine Shoppe, 4186A Departure Bay Rd., Facebook.com/MS0332

Missing Your Smile?

Studies show that missing some of your teeth do not only affect your general health and appearance but can also lead to depression and low self-esteem. Social embarrassment is a very real problem related to the worry of missing teeth and poorly fitting dentures. Having an incomplete smile greatly affects many patients. Don’t let tooth loss or improperly fitting dentures cast a shadow over the quality of your life. Your denturist can explain the best ways to restore the function and appearance of your smile. Properly fitting dentures can restore your self-esteem and bring back your smile.

Nanaimo Denture Clinic, NanaimoDentureClinic.ca

Community Profile – City of Nanaimo Activity Guide

We encourage you to pick up your copy of the Fall and Winter Activity Guide. This edition, with over 1,000 programs, has a simple but effective theme: “Take a Moment to Move”! Yes, we want you to find opportunities to move your body as a key component to a healthy lifestyle. Try a dance class, sign up for a fitness program, walk in our local parks and trails, participate in yoga or drop-in to our pools and arenas for a swim or skate. Studies show that active people can prolong their life by several years, and being active has countless health benefits that are above the obvious physical ones.

Need more ideas? Contact our recreation experts at 250.756.5200 or visit our website.

City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo.ca

A Courageous First Step

Want more out of life? Need to make changes but not sure how to go about it? Talking with a skilled, compassionate counsellor is a great place to start. Counsellors help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday life. They teach you skills and give you confidence to improve your emotional and mental well-being. This includes managing stress, resolving family and relationship issues, coping with depression, anxiety and addiction and helping resolve grief issues, including relationship breakups. Acknowledging that we may need some help in our lives is difficult but also the most courageous first step. It means we care about ourselves enough to take action.

Michael Kuntz, MSW, RSW, MichaelKuntzCounselling.com

Do You Suffer with a Drop-Foot?

There are many causes of drop-foot ranging from a nerve injury to a stroke. Essentially a drop foot is the inability to lift ones foot up. It is most obvious when your leg is in swing while walking. Toe drag is a common sign. This problem commonly goes undiagnosed leaving people with a high risk of tripping and falling. While treating the underlying cause proves difficult, there is an easy solution to improve your walking. An AFO (Ankle-foot-orthosis) is a brace that spans your foot and travels upward behind the calf muscle. When worn with a shoe, the brace will prevent drop foot and allow one to walk safely heel to toe as they once did. AFOs come in many variations depending on specific needs, it is therefore important to ask your doctor and seek a referral to a Certified Orthotist for a consultation.

B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics and Orthotics, MitchellPandO.com

Wildfire Smoke Inhalation & Respiratory Infections

The effects of wildfire smoke inhalation can manifest weeks and/or months after our skies have cleared in the form of chronic colds, flu and upper respiratory infections. Inhalation ozonide therapy is good for any acute upper respiratory infection, such as sinus infections, bronchitis, flu, colds, and viral pneumonias. Both asthmatics and patients with chronic lung disease can use it. Ozone gas is bubbled through olive oil to the inhaler which turns it into ozonides molecules and is completely safe to inhale. The ozonides can last for weeks in the human body and have an incredible regenerative effect on our cells and organs. They increase the delivery of oxygen to the cells, which is critical for lung conditions. Then they stimulate the cells to generate more energy and that is the key to the vitality we all want to feel, in each breath.

Dr. Sterling Desmond, TCM, R.Ac., EvolveWithDesera.com

Floss is Boss

According to a national survey, over one quarter of people tell white lies to their dentist about flossing. (Pssst.. We see through them every time.) In fact, 7% of people would rather hear the sound of nails on a chalkboard than floss; 18% would rather wash dishes and 9% would rather do their taxes! The reality is, flossing should be a critical part of your daily oral hygiene routine and should never be skipped. Commit to flossing for just two minutes during your bedtime routine and you’ll have a clean, fresh mouth. Something we all want.

Lakeside Dental Clinic, LakesideDentalClinic.ca

Make Time for Yoga

Fall finds many of us back to our usual busy schedules and sometimes that regular yoga class falls off the “to do” list. Here are my top three reasons to squeeze in a weekly yoga class:

1. To relax: “Happy hormones” like dopamine and serotonin are released during yoga.

2. To cope with stress and emotions: In the long-term, yoga helps you cope with stress, anxiety, and even grief. Yoga teaches you to breathe through emotions, slow down and recognize your strength.

3. To improve your athletic performance: Yoga will increase flexibility and core strength, thereby helping to prevent injuries.

Susan Pederson, Owner, Suga Yoga, SugaYogaParksville.com