Respite care is part of the long-term care continuum, yet publicly funded respite care beds are limited in their availability and demand for them is growing. For this reason, Providence Living is exploring how to provide short-term, private-pay respite services at The Views at St. Joseph’s in Comox. This service will address the care gap for families who need respite for a loved one but don’t qualify for a publicly funded bed. The short-term respite program launched on June 05, 2023. This private room has its own sink and toilet, and the daily fee includes all meals, 24-hour nursing care, activities, outings, and much more.
Community News
Senior Summer Safety Tips
Skin cancer is one of the most common and preventable forms of cancer. Apply SPF of at least 30 to 50—every two to four hours you are outdoors or riding in a car. Routinely wearing a quality pair of sunglasses protects the eyes from cataracts, a condition common among older adults. Look for a pair with a label showing they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. As we grow older, the body doesn’t adjust to changes in temperature and humidity as quickly as in younger days. This puts seniors at higher risk for dehydration and sun-related illnesses, like heat stroke – so make sure to keep hydrated!
Board Members
Comox Valley Senior Support Society is currently recruiting Board Members. If you 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 for more information.
Extreme Heat Caution
The possibility of extreme heat is now looking like more of a reality for the summer ahead in BC. When temperatures rise, please be sure to check in on your elderly neighbors, friends, and relatives, especially those
• who live alone
• with chronic health conditions (e.g., heart disease, chronic respiratory illness, diabetes, mental illness, substance use disorders)
• with limited mobility
• without air conditioning
• those who live in a home exposed to direct sunlight. If you or someone you know lives in a home where the temperatures will reach 30 degrees Celsius or higher, plan to go elsewhere during a heat emergency. If you are remaining in your home, please evaluate your home’s cool zones, choose one and plan to remain in that area of the home as much as possible. If possible to do safely, putting a barrier, such as cardboard on the outside of a window will help deflect the sun from hitting the window. Close your blinds and windows during the hottest parts of the day and, if the temperature drops significantly at night, open windows to allow some fresh, cool air circulation. Having a fan near a window overnight will help bring in cool air. In the event of extreme temperatures, cooling centers will be operated, and their locations will be well publicized. Please assist your senior friends, neighbors, and relatives to access cooling centers. Libraries, community centers, shopping malls, movie theaters, and shaded parks will all provide cooling assistance as well. Plan in advance where you may go in the event of extreme heat.
Identify an extreme heat buddy! If you live alone, or with someone who is vulnerable, have a buddy who will check in on you daily. Ideally, your buddy should be someone who can assist you in getting to and from a cooling location. Please call CV Senior Support at 250-871-5940 if assistance is needed.
Comox Valley Seniors Resource Guide
The 2023 Comox Valley Seniors Resource Guide is now out! This free guide is being dropped at locations around the Valley, but if you want one, or more, set aside for you, please contact the office (250-871-5940) and we will either hold one for you or arrange for delivery! 20,000 copies of this spiral bound guide were created in partnership between Comox Valley Senior Support and Denman Hornby Health and are available free of charge.
Help Feed a Senior for $12/Week
In partnership with LUSH Valley Food Action Society, CVSS provides 82 meals a week to seniors in the Comox Valley. While some seniors contribute to the cost of the weekly meals, they are heavily subsidized. A donation of $12 a week will provide between two and four meals for a senior in the Valley, helping ensure food security for vulnerable residents. Donations can be made at the CVSS office, or by cheque, via mail at C1-450 8th Street, Courtenay, BC, V9N 1N5. Tax receipts are provided for donations over $20. Alternatively, monthly donations can be set up on our Canada Helps website at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/comox-valley-senior-support/
Save the Date!
The Comox Valley Senior Support Society’s Second Annual Spelling Bee will be held on Tuesday, October 17 at Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay. The first Spelling Bee was such a community success that we decided to get a larger space and invite more people! We look forward to seeing you there.
Does Your Aging Parent Need Help?
When visiting aging loved ones, it’s important to look out for signs that they may need extra assistance to continue living safely and independently at home. Changes in behavior, a cluttered house, missed medication, unpaid bills, decline in personal appearance, mysterious car dents, decreased mobility, and misplaced vital items can all indicate the need for more help. These signs shouldn’t be ignored and should trigger a discussion about the support your loved one needs. Although these conversations can be tough, they are essential for ensuring their safety and well-being. Use communication tips to approach these discussions in a non-confrontational manner and develop a care plan that works for everyone.
Presbyopia and Aging Eyes
Presbyopia is when your eyes gradually lose the ability to see things clearly up close. It’s a normal part of aging, usually noticeable around age 40. Your clear lens sits inside the eye behind your coloured iris and changes shape to focus light onto the retina so you can see. When you’re young, the lens is soft and flexible, easily changing shape. This lets you focus on objects both close up and far away. Although there’s no way to stop or reverse the normal aging process that causes presbyopia, the condition can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
Summer Safety for Seniors
Seniors with limited mobility face unique challenges when dealing with hot weather. Limited mobility can restrict their ability to seek shade or cool environments, putting them at a higher risk of heat-related illnesses. Aging bodies may have difficulty regulating body temperature, making seniors more susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Dehydration is another concern, as older individuals may have decreased thirst sensations or be on medications that increase water loss. It is crucial to ensure seniors have access to well-ventilated spaces, proper hydration, and appropriate clothing to minimize heat-related risks. Regular check-ins and assistance from caregivers or family members can help seniors navigate the heat safely.
Prevent Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Hearing is a vital sense that allows us to connect with the world around us. However, it’s easy to take it for granted. According to a report by the World Health Organization, hearing loss is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue worldwide, affecting an estimated 1.5 billion people.
There are many factors that can contribute to hearing loss. One of the leading causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noises. Loud noises are encountered everywhere in your daily routine, from the sounds of busy traffic, construction sites, concerts, listening to music and even the TV.
The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable!
Here are some steps you can take to protect your hearing from loud noises:
Wear earplugs or earmuffs:
Sounds are considered harmful when they exceed 85 dB, which is similar to the loudness of heavy traffic.
Exposure to loud noises can damage the sensory hair cells in the cochlea. The cochlea is a shell-like organ in the inner ear where sounds are converted into electrical signals. This damage can lead to both hearing loss and the development of tinnitus, which is characterized by a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears. Wearing earplugs or earmuffs can be a simple yet effective way to protect your ears.
However, it’s important to choose the right type of earplugs or earmuffs for your needs. Make sure they are comfortable to wear, fit well, and provide adequate noise reduction. If you’re not sure which type to choose, consult a hearing healthcare professional or audiologist who can recommend the best option for you.
Turn down the volume:
It’s also important to be mindful of our listening habits. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.1 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to loud music or noise through headphones or earphones.
If you’re someone who enjoys listening to music or podcasts through headphones, try to keep the volume at a reasonable level. As a general rule of thumb, if someone can hear the music coming from your headphones while standing beside you, the volume is too high! A good way to ensure that your volume is at a safe level is to use the 60/60 rule. This rule recommends listening to music at no more than 60% volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. Afterward, give your ears a break for at least 5-10 minutes to recover.
Take breaks:
If you’re exposed to loud noises for extended periods, take breaks in quieter environments to give your ears time to recover. Taking just a five-minute break every hour can significantly reduce the risk of hearing damage from loud noise exposure. So, if you’re in a loud environment for a prolonged period, try to take short breaks regularly to give your ears a chance to recover.
While hearing loss prevention is important, it’s also essential to get regular hearing tests. Many people don’t realize that hearing tests are just as important as regular physical exams or dental checkups.
Hearing tests are essential because they can detect hearing loss early on, which is crucial for effective treatment. The earlier hearing loss is detected, the better the chances are for successful treatment.
It’s worth noting that hearing loss can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Untreated hearing loss can lead to a decline in cognitive function, making it more challenging to perform daily tasks and affecting memory, attention, and decision-making skills.
Research conducted by the National Library of Medicine has demonstrated that individuals who take action to address their hearing loss at an early stage are more likely to experience positive outcomes, such as enhanced communication abilities, improved quality of life, and a lower risk of cognitive decline.
Your ears are essential to your quality of life, and we want to help you LoveYourEars by taking care of them properly.
Book a free hearing test and take the first step towards better hearing today!
Sources: World Health Organization (WHO)
