As Christmas nears, please think of isolated and vulnerable seniors in your community when considering charitable donations. Comox Valley Senior Support provides supports to seniors year-round in an number of ways, but the requests for support always become more urgent as the Christmas holidays approach. $50 will provide ten hot meals for one of our seniors. $200 will pay the Society’s phone and internet bill for one month, freeing our funds to support seniors in the community. $500 will cover the the cost of mileage for our volunteers for one month – volunteers use their vehicles to deliver food, assist with household errands, attend to shopping needs or to ensure seniors in the Valley are able to safely get about their community. Comox Valley Senior Support also collects gifts for seniors each year and a donation in any amount will be directed to creating a smile on Christmas morning.
Community News
First Annual Spelling Bee
Thank you to those who attended the Comox Valley Senior Support Society’s first annual fund-raising Spelling Bee! A wonderful time was had! Comox Valley Senior Support extends its thanks to the wonderful sponsors of the Spelling Bee, Quantum Dental Group, First Credit Union, Berwick Comox Valley, Casa Loma & Casa Loma Seniors Village, Wellnessnews, and Sara Kempner Photography. And thanks to our give sponsors, Sunnyvale Golf & Country Club, Extreme Runners, Cons Bread, Wild Play, Laughing Oyster Book Shop, The Mustard Lady, K & V Nails, Bigfoot Donuts, Second Page Used Books, Country Market, Sara Kempner Photography, and Soul Star.
Volunteers Always Needed!
The strength of CVSS is its contingent of amazing volunteers. If you would like to visit with a lonely or isolated senior, or assist someone with accessing services in the community, or if you have another strength to offer, please contact us to learn more about providing support in your community. Beginning in September, volunteer training sessions will be done monthly so there will be only minimal waiting before you can begin! Volunteers are provided with monthly support meetings and regular education sessions.
Be a Santa to a Senior
Ready to Care® is a movement powered by Home Instead® to make the world a better place for seniors through programs like Be a Santa to a Senior. Help seniors in need this holiday season, by becoming a Santa to a Senior. FOUR easy ways to get involved. 1. Find a participating Be a Santa to Senior Business. 2. Remove the ornament with the senior’s gift request from the tree. 3. Purchase the requested gift(s) listed on the ornament. 4. Place the bulb and gift(s) in the designated box next to the tree. Visit BeaSantaToaSenior.com to find out how you can participate.
Did You Know?
As of July 1, 2022 there were 7,329,910 Canadians over the age of 65 and there were 13,484 Canadians over 100! (StatsCan 2022)
Healthy Play Guidelines
As we head into the holiday season and emerge from Covid restrictions, our gambling habits may have been stretched beyond our usual boundaries. Gambling or sports betting to make money is always dangerous, as is gambling to escape our day-to-day preoccupations. If you are not sure if your gambling habits fall within healthy playing guidelines, check Canada’s Low Risk Gambling Guidelines at GamblingGuideLines.ca. Using the 1-4-2 formula can help contextualize your play: No more than 1% of your income, Maximum 4 days per month and Only 2 types of game play. If you’re unsure, check out the self-assessment tool.
Scooter Maintenance for Winter
Scooter maintenance is necessary to keep your scooter’s batteries in good condition for the colder winter months. Batteries will lose charge faster when using the scooter in the winter. When not in use, the batteries should be kept on charge with the approved charger that came with the scooter. It’s also important to keep the scooter dry during rainy days, since moisture can damage the electronics and the cables to the motor. If using the scooter in the rain, avoid large puddles so that water and mud don’t splash up into your scooter and dry the scooter off afterwards.
Dentures vs Implants
Dentures are removable teeth which replace the natural teeth and cover a portion of the gum. Your denturist will recommend either full dentures, which replace all the natural teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw, or a partial denture, which replace some of the lost natural teeth. Dental implants, on the other hand, consist of an anchor or screw-like component that is fastened into the jawbone, then the denture is attached to the implant to hold it into place. Speak with your local denturist to learn more, and find out which option is right for you.
Questions about Diabetes?
We Have Answers. Getting diagnosed with diabetes can be overwhelming. But there are many things you can do to manage your diabetes—through diet, exercise, and medical support. We know what you’re going through and we can help. We can recommend diet changes, help you understand how exercise affects blood sugars, and explain how to get the most benefit from your medications. You can even join in on one of our online clinics for individualized support with managing blood glucose levels and adjusting your medications to gain better control.
The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, MedicineShoppeCourtenay.ca
Do Hearing Aids Hurt?
Hearing aids are highly valuable for people who have hearing loss, but it can be an overwhelming process to find the right fit. One of the most important things to know before you begin the search for your new device is that they should feel natural on your ears.
Finding the right fit can take some time, but there is support available for your journey and the results will be life-changing.
Should Hearing Aids Hurt Your Ears?
The short answer is no, hearing aids shouldn’t hurt your ears. Hearing aids should be comfortable. They are designed to improve your quality of life, so there should be no discomfort or pain associated with them.
The best way to ensure your hearing aids are comfortable is by getting them fitted by an audiologist or RHIP. They will conduct several tests and assessments to confirm your hearing aids are the correct size, structure, and type.
There are four types of hearing aids including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-canal (ITC), in-the-ear (ITE), and receiver-in-canal (RIC). All of them have their unique benefits, so meeting with a professional to discuss which one is right for you is the key to finding the perfect fit.
If your hearing aids aren’t fitted properly, they can cause discomfort.
Getting Used to Your Hearing Aids
Although it may take some time to get used to your hearing aids, wearing them should never cause you pain. It’s important to take it slow when you’re adjusting to new hearing aids. We suggest wearing your new hearing aids for about four hours a day. Sometimes people dive right in and wear their new hearing aids for 14 hours straight, but this can cause irritation to your skin.
Allow the skin around your hearing aid to adjust to the device. It can take up to a week to get accustomed to the feeling of your new hearing aids, but taking breaks will help ease the process.
If you have previously worn hearing aids and are trying out a new pair, another option is to alternate between the new and old pairs throughout the day. With regular care and maintenance, your hearing aids can last five years or more, so it is a good idea to prepare yourself appropriately.
Every hearing aid feels a little different, so giving yourself the time to get used to something new is important.
What Could Be Causing Pain?
Sometimes hearing aids feel perfect when they’re being fitted, but they don’t feel right after you’ve left the hearing clinic. It is likely that all they need is a slight adjustment.
If you notice a specific area where your hearing aids are rubbing and causing discomfort, you should see a professional to make any necessary changes. Sometimes it takes a little bit of extra work to get the perfect fit, and that’s okay.
Another potential cause for pain is that the hearing aids simply aren’t placed properly. A misplaced hearing aid can cause pain because of pressure in unwanted areas. Consider practicing how to place and remove it, as demonstrated by your hearing professional during your fitting appointment.
You could also be feeling some pain if you’re not cleaning your hearing aid properly. Following the cleaning instructions for your specific model will decrease your chances of getting an ear infection, bacterial growth, and irritation. These issues are extremely painful but avoidable with proper sanitization and maintenance.
If you’ve developed a rash, it’s possible you have an allergy to the materials of the hearing aid. These allergies are rare, but a hearing aid specialist will be able to provide you with alternative options to ensure you are using the device that’s right for you.
Finding Comfort With Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing aids should be completely comfortable. Audiologists and hearing professionals at NexGen Hearing are passionate, dedicated and experienced, and they’re here to help you find the perfect fit.
NexGen Hearing offers free hearing tests and hearing aid consultations, hearing aid fittings and sales. To book an appointment at one of our 45+ clinics in the BC Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, click here or call 1-877-606-6671.
Meet Dr. Robert Hogarth
Dr. Hogarth has been helping patients feel better since 2014. He is a graduate of the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary and the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University. Dr. Hogarth is a member of various professional organizations such as the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Holistic Dental Association, and the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine. His interests include metal-free dentistry, zirconia implants, TMJ dysfunction/myofascial pain treatment and sleep therapy. Fontana and Red Light Laser therapy, Oxone and PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) are some common tools he uses in his treatments.
