“Good morning, Joy. It’s Patricia and I’m a volunteer caller with Friendly Phones.” These simple words open endless conversations at South Cowichan Community Policing (SCCP) through our free, Friendly Phones service. If you live alone, or cannot leave your home, then you may want to receive morning telephone calls from our volunteers. You can also contact them by email, or leave a voicemail at the SCCP office. The Friendly Phones service lets you share your thoughts, opinions, and experiences with people who care about your well-being. Several times a year we have gatherings where our Friendly Phones clients can meet our Friendly Phones Volunteer callers as well as staff and directors. Volunteer callers are welcome to join the SCCP team. Come visit our office at Mill Bay Centre.

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.

Do you want to help purify the air in your home, create an ambiance and maybe even trigger positive memories? Diffusing essential oils can do that! Many products available mask odors in our homes but are filled with synthetic and sometimes harmful chemicals. Pure therapeutic grade essential oils are chemicals that, in their natural, unadulterated state, can actually have beneficial effects when inhaled. They can help you feel relaxed, uplifted, invigorated or calm. There are many options for diffusing oils from jewelry to fancy ultrasonic diffusers with LED light displays, music options and even remote controls! This allows you to create the perfect ambiance in your own home.

With the cold and wet weather, we spend more time indoors and in close quarters with those around us. Now is the time when our immune system could use a boost. Our immune system protects us from bacteria and viruses and harmful substances in our environment. To help your immune system, take advantage of any sunny day to catch some rays, avoid smoky areas, limit alcohol consumption and consider adding some supplements. Immune system boosting supplements available at your health food store include, probiotics as well as supplements made with plants, herbs and minerals used to prevent and fight infections

When someone is fearful of falling, they start to avoid everyday activities by staying at home and doing less. This lack of activity leads to loss of strength, reduced muscle tone, and loss of coordination and balance. This physical deterioration increases the risk of falling and if a fall does occur, it further heightens the fear. Turn your fear of falling into positive actions; remain active, exercise regularly, use assistive devices such as walkers or grab bars and wear sensible shoes. Consider joining a group session designed especially to teach balance exercises for fall prevention.

The average person will eat about 6,000 calories on Christmas day. This is 3,500 – 4,000 calories more than they need and will add more than a pound of fat to the not-so-secret stash. And Christmas day is only one day of the season! The chocolates, party buffets and endless cookies go on for weeks. Unfortunately, the excess Christmas pounds are not going to melt away like snowmen. They’ll become part of that year-on-year upward creep. A bit of smart limiting and determination to plan ahead will help you stay on track without spoiling the festive feeling or fun. It also may make your self-talk a bit sweeter when you first step on the scale in January!

With your help, Cowichan will soon have a new modern facility for children at risk to learn, grow and develop for optimal wellbeing. Over the years, Sundrops Centre for Child Development has helped hundreds of children and parents through the Child Care Resource and Referral program, the Children & Family Support program and the Child Development team. This Christmas, when trying to find a gift for that hard-to-give to person, consider making a donation to the Sundrops Children’s Fund. Donations can be made in person at 5856 Clements Street, by phone at (250) 746.4135 or through Canada Helps. Your gift will continue to make a difference in the lives of children for years to come.