While you are enjoying this holiday season, be sure to drink plenty of clear fluids to stay well-hydrated. Water is best. Dehydration, especially for seniors, can be dangerous, with symptoms that may include headaches, confusion, dizziness, fainting, and weakness. Alcohol is a diuretic, so it is best to match every drink with a glass of water. Drinking too many caffeinated beverages can also lead to dehydration. Try to consume high-water-content foods such as soups and fruit with delicious desserts and holiday treats to help with hydration. Happy Holidays!
Community News
Do People Buy Homes Over Christmas?
While many sellers opt to take their homes off the market during the holidays, sales never grind to a halt. The last week of December is often busy! However, the motivation of buyers is different from the normal spring season where buyers want to buy. Over the holidays, they typically NEED to buy. Coupled with seasonal lower inventory, this often means sellers do well. Could that be you? We’d be happy to chat about your real estate needs.
Be a Santa to a Senior!
Each holiday season, Home Instead’s “Be a Santa to a Senior” program spreads joy to lonely or financially challenged seniors across North America. Through this initiative, community members can purchase gifts for seniors in need, creating an uplifting experience for all involved. This year, Victoria residents can also support seniors by purchasing a meal through Refire Kitchen at their downtown location at 843 Fort St., 100 Aldersmith Pl in Esquimalt, or by phone (778) 406-1011. Your purchase will help a senior in your local community feel remembered and valued. Join us in making a difference this holiday season and brightening the lives of seniors who deserve extra cheer.
In-Home Care for Seniors
As we age, maintaining independence while staying safe and comfortable becomes increasingly important. For many older adults, in-home care provides the ideal solution, offering personalized support that helps them thrive. This type of care, delivered by trained caregivers, focuses on assisting with daily activities, providing companionship, and enhancing quality of life. In-home care is especially beneficial for individuals who need support with daily activities but do not require medical intervention. The goal is to enhance quality of life by addressing personal and emotional needs while promoting independence. This type of care can be short-term or long-term for older adults who need continued assistance.
Gifts for Seniors
This holiday season, why not spread some cheer and support the Home Instead gift drive for seniors! The purpose of Home Instead community service program Be a Santa to a Senior® is to positively impact the community by providing holiday cheer and gift giving to seniors who are least likely to receive a present during the holiday season, are lonely and financially challenged. For more information, contact: Home Instead at: 250 338 0554 or email: [email protected]
Sign up to Volunteer Today!
The Senior Support North Vancouver Island programs are run almost exclusively by volunteers, and we need you! All our programs in the Comox Valley and Campbell River are looking for volunteers. Why not start the new year right and register to volunteer today!
We have many options of programs. Do you love to visit, do puzzles, go for a walk, drink tea, play cards or do a little shopping? If so, we have a senior for you! With just one hour a week you can make a huge difference in the lives of vulnerable seniors here in your community. It just takes one hour, and we promise you will get as much back as you give you.
Or, are you great at computers, online navigation systems or taxes? Well, we also have programs that support seniors in those areas. Reach out today to get started!
Email: [email protected] or call: 250-871-5940
Events at d’Esterre Senior Centre
The Senior Centre in Comox offers a number of daily and weekly programs geared to seniors throughout the year. In December, they are offering a Christmas Dinner on Saturday, December 14 and a Christmas Day Dinner on December 25. For more information check out their website, facebook page or reach out to Cheryl Smith at [email protected]
Supporting Seniors During The Holidays
Over the holiday season please remember to look out for your elderly neighbors. The holidays can be a lonely or challenging time for some seniors, especially if they have limited mobility, family, or support. Here are a few simple ways to help:
● Check In Regularly: Pop by to say hello or give them a call to see how they’re doing. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there can mean a lot. Ensure they’re warm enough, have food, and aren’t feeling isolated.
● Offer Practical Help: Tasks like grocery shopping, picking up medications, putting up decorations, or helping with snow removal can be difficult for seniors, so offering your help with these can make a big difference.
● Share a Meal or Treat: Cooking a little extra and sharing holiday meals or treats can brighten their day. Homemade baked goods, holiday meals, or a warm drink can bring joy.
● Invite Them Over: If they’re open to it, invite them over for a holiday gathering or celebration. It can help them feel included and gives them an opportunity to socialize.
● Check Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Alarms and heating: Ensure their heating is working, and help with small tasks like putting up extra curtains, sealing drafts, or providing blankets. Heating systems can pose risks in winter, so checking alarms will help them stay safe.
● Encourage Social Interaction: Isolation can increase during winter. Inviting them over for tea, or suggesting ways to stay connected with family, can brighten their days.
These little actions can make a big difference, helping them stay safe, warm, and connected.
Understanding Yoga Therapy
Yoga therapy focuses on simple movements and the connection between body segments, rather than traditional yoga postures. It involves neuromuscular patterning and repatterning through basic movement. The human experience is an ongoing interplay of cause and effect, with unique responses to external events. Throughout life, we may encounter injuries, illness, or emotional challenges, often affecting both body and mind. A Yoga Therapist works with you to create a personalized practice that supports recovery, enhances ease, and fosters meaningful transformation, helping you navigate physical, emotional, or mental struggles toward healing and well-being.
Mobility Challenges & The Holidays
Holiday safety is essential for those with mobility challenges, as seasonal activities and decorations can present unique risks. Clear walkways and remove tripping hazards like loose rugs, holiday lights, and cords. Arrange decorations thoughtfully, avoiding clutter or items on the floor, and opt for non-slip mats if winter weather makes entrances slippery. During gatherings, ensure seating and accessible pathways are readily available. If traveling, plan ahead for wheelchair-accessible transportation and accommodations. Encourage family and friends to assist as needed and keep emergency contacts readily accessible. With small adjustments, everyone can enjoy a safe, inclusive, and joyful holiday season.
Enriched Living in 2025
In retirement homes, seniors are redefining their golden years with purposeful goals. Far from idle, residents are embracing new hobbies, exercises, and wellness programs they never had time for before. The pursuit of mental and physical wellness remains a priority, fostering a sense of purpose. Amidst the serene setting of retirement homes, seniors are crafting a narrative of fulfillment, proving that age doesn’t diminish the zest for life; instead, it enriches it. Dynamic hubs where the pursuit of personal goals is complemented by the joy of shared moments, proving that a fulfilling and vibrant life is possible.
