Comox Valley Senior Support Society, dedicated to helping seniors, is seeking volunteers to join our Board of Directors. The Board provides governance, leadership, fundraising, and financial oversight to staff and the Society’s operations. Meetings are held once per month, with additional support required on an as needed basis. If you have have a passion for seniors, an interest in working with a collaborative Board, and supporting an active staff team, please contact Chris at admin@comoxvalleyseniorsupportsociety.ca
Community News
Medical Emergency Hearing Loss
There are many causes of sensorineural hearing loss, including noise exposure, aging, exposure to ototoxic medication, head trauma and illness. Typically hearing loss declines gradually over time, however in cases of sporadic hearing loss it is important to seek immediate assessment to ensure the best treatment plan is established.
With the help of Oksana Melnichuk, a Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner (RHIP) at NexGen Hearing, we have compiled a list of symptoms that could suggest the need for urgent medical intervention.
1. Sudden Hearing Loss
A Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) occurs when there is a significant decline in hearing over a 72 hour window. This condition commonly affects only one ear and may present independent of other symptoms or in combination with a feeling of aural fullness, tinnitus and/or dizziness. A sudden decline in hearing requires immediate medical intervention to ensure treatment can be provided in a timely manner. Treatment should be received within 48 hours of the onset of a SSHL. An untreated SSHL can significantly impact an individual’s communication abilities and quality of life.
2. Fluctuating hearing loss
Fluctuating hearing loss can occur as a result of several different conditions, such as Ménière’s disease (MD), autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), head trauma, and/or ototoxic medications. It can occur in individuals with normal hearing or individuals who already present with hearing loss. The fluctuation may be noted in one ear or both and may occur on an irregular basis. It is important to contact your physician if you notice hearing fluctuations to establish the cause and treatment plan.
3. Tinnitus
Tinnitus is not a condition itself, but rather a symptom of another condition. Causes of tinnitus can range from prolonged exposure to loud sounds, aging, injuries to the head and neck, certain medications and/or other medical conditions such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease to name a few. Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears; however, it can also be described as buzzing, hissing, chirping, whistling, etc. The sound can be intermittent or continuous and can vary in loudness. While there is no cure for tinnitus, some individuals find the perception of tinnitus can be reduced with the use of external masking devices. Medical treatment should be sought if tinnitus leads to an increase in stress, sleep disturbances, is pulsatile, and/or perceived in one ear only.
4. Ear discharge
The discharge of earwax from the ear canal is a normal occurrence, however if blood or fluid is noted medical intervention should be obtained as it may be indicative of a more serious medical condition, such as infection, trauma to the ear canal, middle ear space and/or skull bone and/or swimmer’s ear. If left untreated discharge from the ear can lead to reduced hearing abilities, discomfort and/or damage to the structures of the middle ear.
The staff at NexGen Hearing are dedicated to working alongside other health care professionals to ensure all patients receive timely access to care, information, and assistive technology.
If you or a loved one is currently or has experienced one or more of the above symptoms, please contact your local NexGen Hearing during business hours and advise you need an urgent diagnostic hearing assessment. If it is outside of normal business hours, please visit the Hospital Emergency Room for urgent assessment.
Single-Event Sports Betting
The CBC article, “Conservative MP says Sask. government has ‘dropped the ball’ on single-event sports betting, featured Waugh’s Bill C-218, also known as the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act”. Bill C-218, passed by the Canadian Senate and received Royal Assent in June 2021, came into force August 2021. The legislation allows provinces and territories to conduct and manage single-event betting on any sporting event except horse racing. In November, the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) announced that BC residents had placed more than $25 million in single-event sports bets within two months of the legalization. If you run into trouble, support is available. (Source: https://bit.ly/3OJU3Um)
Karen Hlady, VI Gaming Support, VIGamingSupport.ca
Frustration-Free Denture Repairs
Super Glue is a great adhesive for toys and shoes but NOT for your dentures! It will build up around the broken edges that you’re trying to adhere and make the denture difficult or impossible to fix professionally. This can potentially leave you with an uncomfortable or unusable denture permanently! Being water soluble, your saliva will dissolve the glue and make it ineffective. Due to the harsh chemicals it contains, Super Glue can also cause gum inflammation or allergic reactions. Denture materials and super glue are simply not a good combination. Save yourself the frustration and have repairs done professionally.
Can You Prevent Arthritis?
You can’t always prevent arthritis, but there are a few healthy habits you can practice to reduce your risk. One thing you can do is consume more fish. Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy polyunsaturated fat. Omega-3s have several health benefits, and they can reduce inflammation in the body, lowering your arthritis risk. You should also focus on exercise, which not only takes the stress of excess weight off your joints, but also strengthens the muscles around the joints. Try your best to avoid injury. When you injure your joints, you can damage the cartilage and cause it to wear out more quickly.
Canada’s Seniors at a Glance
Healthy Ageing Canada projections show that by 2036, Seniors will account for close to 25% of the population. Women account for 52% of seniors aged 65 to 69 and for 75% of those 90 years or older. Differences in life expectancy between men and women have begun to narrow, a trend that is projected to continue. As is the case with all Canadians, fewer seniors are living in rural areas than in the past. 70% of seniors live in metropolitan areas, while another 9% resided in smaller urban areas (with a population of 50,000 or more). Most seniors live in private households—45% with a spouse or partner, 27% alone, and 18% with a child or grandchild. Only 7% live in an institutional setting.
How Stress Can Make You Feel
How stress can make you feel
Many things can cause stress. You might feel stressed because of one big event or situation in your life. Or it might be a build-up of lots of smaller things. This might make it harder for you to identify what’s making you feel stressed, or to explain it to other people. If you are stressed, you might feel: * Irritable, angry, impatient or wound up. * Over-burdened or overwhelmed. *Anxious, nervous or afraid. *Like your thoughts are racing and you can’t switch off. *Unable to enjoy yourself. *Uninterested in life. *Like you’ve lost your sense of humour. *A sense of dread. *Worried or tense. *Neglected or lonely. Some people who go through severe stress may experience suicidal feelings. This can be very distressing. Please seek help at a hospital emergency department or a local crisis line. In the Comox Valley the 24 hour Crisis Line phone number is 1 888-494-3888.
Family Caregivers of BC
Family Caregivers of BC (FCBC) is a provincial, not-for-profit that proudly and compassionately supports over one million people in British Columbia who provide physical and/or emotional care to a family member, friend, or neighbour. FCBC supports caregivers by providing access to information, education and supports so that caregivers feel more confident and successful in their important role. Call our free BC Caregiver Support Line: 1-877-520-3267
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Oral Health
Rheumatoid arthritis can sometimes lead to other health complications, including oral conditions such as: 1) Oral infections – including bacterial and fungal infections. 2) Gingivitis – a mild form of gum disease that can cause swollen and tender gums. 3) Temporomandibular joint issues – causing pain when opening and closing your mouth. 4) Periodontitis – affects the bone and tissue supporting the teeth. 5) Sjögren’s syndrome – condition affecting the salivary glands that can lead to oral dryness and tooth decay. By seeing your dentist regularly and keeping up with your oral health through daily brushing and flossing, these conditions may be avoided or improved.
Fear of Falls Causes Unsafe Behavior
Someone who is fearful of falls, may start to avoid everyday activities by staying home and doing less. This lack of activity leads to the loss of strength, reduced muscle tone, and loss of coordination and balance. This deterioration of your physical being increases the risk of falling and, when a fall does occur, the fear is further heightened. Turn your fear of falling into positive actions: remain active, exercise regularly, use assistive devices such as walkers or grab bars, wear sensible shoes and consider participating in a group session with others who are anxious about falling.
Regaining Mobility & Independence
Our day-to-day lives often involve activities that require us to venture out into public, whether it’s going to the bank, attending medical appointments, shopping, or spending time with friends and family. For those who experience mobility challenges, simple errands can be more difficult and less convenient, especially when having to rely on others for transport. Mobility scooters can help you or your loved one regain a sense of independence and control as errands become easier and access to more destinations becomes possible again. Regaining mobility and independence can simplify our daily tasks and offer us more choices.
