The Board and staff of the Comox Valley Senior Support Society wish you a peaceful holiday season and very best wishes for 2022.

It is hard to imagine that summer is now behind us, but it’s true. As we head into winter, we’re encountering shorter daylight hours and more grey skies. As a result, we sometimes find that winter will trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). How do we treat SAD? In severe cases, medications may be needed, and as adjunctive treatment, light therapy may be added. Effective light therapy is achieved by exposure to 10,000 lux cool-white light. Optimal exposure is for 30 to 45 minutes early in the morning upon awakening.

Volunteers Needed at Comox Valley Senior Support Society! The vital component of most of our programs at CV Senior Support are volunteers! While staff coordinate the pieces to make programs work, it is our incredible volunteers who venture into the community and provide the supports many of our clients depend upon. Volunteering at Comox Valley Senior Support can range from a weekly phone call or in person visit to grocery shopping or assisting seniors to fill out forms and find resources. Volunteers are provided with training and support and opportunities for ongoing education. As our volunteers retire, we need to replace them! If you have an interest in supporting seniors in your community, please contact the office at admin@comoxvalleyseniorsupprt.ca or 250-871-5940 to find out more.

The BC Community Response Network is a provincial organization that supports local CRNs who in tun work to create strong community response for adults who may be experiencing or impacted by abuse, neglect, and self neglect. As the new host agency of the Comox Valley Community Response Network, Comox Valley Senior Support is looking forward to filling the vital role a CRN can play in the community. While, just getting up to speed with the work that needs to be done, staff are looking forward to the task at hand. Please stay tuned for future updates! Further information on BC CRNs can be found at: https://bccrns.ca

As we head into the holiday season, please remember that many systematically excluded members of our community will be alone during this time. The frenzy of the season consumes many of us, but please take a moment to call or visit people you know who are isolated. A brief call or a short visit will make a world of difference for many people.

Donations to Comox Valley Senior Support Society can be directed toward any one of its programs or can be directed towards general operating expenses. Though many of the programs are volunteer powered, there are still numerous expenses for each. If you have any questions about any of these programs or about how a donation may best be used, please Contact Christopher Bate at admin@comoxvalleyseniorsupport.ca or 250-871-4950. Donations can be made by cheque or by following the link on the society’s website.

As you age, some types of physical activity can become more difficult. The good news is that swimming, an activity that many seniors find easy, has many health benefits. Here are just a few of the health benefits of swimming you should take advantage of. 1. Bone Health. If you’ve developed joint pain and lower bone mineral density, swimming will give your joints a break while also lowering your risk of osteoporosis. 2. Heart Health. Swimming helps lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall cardiovascular health. 3. Mental Health. Swimming can boost cognitive function, reduce stress and even help combat depression.

Friendly Visitor Program – offers a weekly visit or phone call from a trained volunteer for seniors who are isolated and lonely. This program also encompasses hospital visits and coordinating delivery of library books. Senior Information Access Support – helps seniors navigate various systems (internet applications, forms, phone calls etc…). Community resources referral. Assistance with grocery shopping and delivery. Caregiver Support Program – provides monthly support groups for caregivers to have an opportunity to speak with, listen to, and support other caregivers. Caregiver Respite – facilitates monthly fun social activities for people with dementia so caregivers can have a brief break. Volunteer Training – Our volunteers are valued a lot, and that is one of the reasons we put so much effort into orientation and ongoing education.

Congratulations to CV Senior Support Society’s community partner, LUSH Valley Food Action Society, on the recent purchase of a new (to them) home! Located in Tin Town, the new home will house the Society’s main office, food aggregation hub, and, eventually, a commercial kitchen. LUSH took possession at the beginning of October and are already in full swing in their new location preparing for the upcoming year.